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Come to Israel!
The Jewish Community Federation and the Israel Center invite the entire community to join together for an unforgettable travel experience: The Israel @ 60 Mission, taking place Wednesday, April 30 through Thursday, May 8, 2008.
Make History
This unique trip will participate in Israel’s history-making observations of its most powerful and moving commemorations – its Holocaust, Memorial and Independence Days. Stand with your local and Israeli community as the entire country joins together for these stirring occasions.
Follow Your Own Path
Each traveler has the opportunity to tailor the trip to their personal interests. Participants will select from among multiple itineraries led by experienced experts in their respective fields.
- Archeology & Modern History: Israel Past & Present, led by Lehrhaus Judaica
- Arts & Culture: Visual Arts, Music, Theater and Dance
- Business: High-tech, Biotech, Real Estate and Investments
Whether it’s your professional or personal passion, the journey will allow for a unique connection to your area of interest in Israel.
Travel in Style
Enjoy first-rate accommodations and delicious meals in cities and communities throughout the country. We’ll engage personally with prominent Israeli leaders and participate in exclusive tours, lectures and networking opportunities with experts in multiple fields. Experience Israel as never before: yesterday, today and tomorrow!
Learn more about the mission!
Or contact us directly:
Email: israelat60mission@sfjcf.org
Phone: 415.856.1380
Register by December 13 for early bird savings! We’ve made it easy for you to register securely online.
The mission is planned in cooperation with the Consulate General of Israel in San Francisco, Lehrhaus Judaica, California-Israel Chamber of Commerce, Israel-America Chamber of Commerce, Israel Venture Network |
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Building From the Ground Up
The Jewish Community Endowment Fund’s leaders and donors are working with members of the community to build the Peninsula’s largest Jewish capital project in Palo Alto: the Taube Koret Campus for Jewish Life (TKCJL), which had its groundbreaking ceremony in early October. The construction is being funded in part by a $10 million grant from the Jewish Community Endowment Fund, the largest in the Endowment Fund’s history.
The TKCJL represents an innovative initiative that will result in a centralized location for a broad spectrum of community services. The Campus will house 899 Charleston, a 193 unit senior residence, the Palo Alto Oshman Family JCC, a fitness center, two swimming pools, a 400 seat theater, various Jewish non-profits and the Federation’s South Peninsula office.
The wide scope of services housed at the Taube Koret Campus has inspired many of the community’s donors to support the effort. Federation officers and Endowment committee members John Pritzker, Jim Koshland, Donald Seiler, John Freidenrich, Carol Saal, Neill Brownstein and David Steirman, among others, attended the groundbreaking.
Carol Saal, long time member of the JCEF Endowment Committee and Vice President of the Taube Koret Campus for Jewish Life, brought the crowd to its feet for a collective and enthusiastic “Mazel Tov!” reflecting the excitement the community feels for this endeavor.
Taube Koret Campus for Jewish Life President and JCEF Distributions Committee Chair, Jim Koshland, spoke to the crowd saying "I’d like to acknowledge the hard work and contributions of all the donors and partners involved with the new campus that have led to this groundbreaking moment. The building of this campus would not be possible without the participation of many different groups and individuals."
And Federation President, John Pritzker commented that "the Jewish Community Federation is proud to have helped to bring about this groundbreaking moment. The building of the Taube Koret Campus will offer the extensive and excellent services that the Jewish community on the Peninsula so deserve." |
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The 2008 Annual Campaign Multiplies Your Giving.
Time is running out for you to participate in the Nancy and Stephen Grand 2008 Million Dollar Challenge Grant. The $1 million dollar challenge matches all new donations and increases to gifts, making your dollars go even further.
The math is simple: You increase your gift to the 2008 campaign – that is, give more than you gave last year – and we will match that increase, dollar-for-dollar, and double the impact your donation will make. But you must pledge your support by December 31.
The Federation’s Annual Campaign embodies the values and traditions of our Jewish community. This year’s special opportunity enables our collective generosity to go so much further toward improving the lives of real people around the globe.
There is no better time to build a better world. Give today!
Thank you to our generous funders of the challenge grant:
Steve & Nancy Grand, John & Lisa Pritzker, Jim & Cathy Koshland, David & Anne Steirman, Norman & Carol Traeger
The Lion* of Judah luncheon was attended by more than 110 women, including 30 new Lion of Judah donors.
In total, the event raised more than $200,000. Guest speaker Sophie Ambrose shared an inspiring story of finding her Judaism through a Birthright experience, offering a powerful reminder of the people whose lives are dramatically changed and improved through the generosity of Federation donors.
*Women who make an individual gift of $5,000 or more to the Campaign
More than 90 L'Chaim Circle* donors gathered at the home of Fran and Bobby Lent for a unique and festive dinner that provided a first-hand update on Ethiopian Jewry.
The featured speaker was Dr. Will Recant of the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), which is the Federation’s partner organization for providing aid internationally. Currently in Ethiopia, 3,000 Falash Mura (who have converted to Christianity but trace their roots to Judaism) await aliyah. Federation Annual Campaign dollars go to JDC programs that meet the daily survival needs of this community and provides essential support for Ethiopian immigrants in Israel.
* Donors who make a combined household gift of $18,000 or more to the Campaign
The Business Leadership Council held a successful networking event in October
Over 150 people attended the event at the popular Mexican restaurant Tres Agaves. Lynn Bunim, JCF Board Member & BLC Vice-Chair, kicked off the evening with an informative update of BLC activities, including the securing of six corporate sponsors, each contributing $5000. Marcia Rubin, BLC Steering Committee Member, conducted the networking program that got everyone involved in meeting other professionals. For future BLC events please visit us online.
Russian Leadership Mission to Israel
Twenty-eight prominent professionals from the Russian Jewish community traveled across Israel to experience and learn about all aspects of Israeli life, ranging from economy and education to politics and pluralism. The Mission, a component of Jewish Community Federation Institute (JCFI) Jewish Education Program, the Federation's 2-year Jewish education and leadership program for Russian speakers, introduced the group to the various programs and organizations in Israel that the Federation supports, and educated the group about how Federation donors' money is spent.
The trip included visits to ELEM, NATIV, Supportive Communities for the Elderly, an armored brigade base in the Golan Heights, as well as meetings with Israeli soldiers of Russian descent and participants of Gvanim for Olim. Each stop along the way was a revelation about the Federation's accomplishments in Israel and a transformation in their attitudes about how their own personal philanthropy can make a palpable difference in the lives of Israeli people. The amount of passion and excitement was evident in a post-trip debriefing where the group discussed their desire to act on their inspiration, to involve their friends, and to give back to the Jewish people.
Young Adults Division (YAD) Clusters provide endless possibilities.
YAD's new program consists of volunteer-led groups of people with similar interests that meet as frequently as the leaders and participants choose. Some of the current active clusters include:
- Real Estate “Rabbis” – Professionals in the real estate industry meet for lunch or drinks to network and discuss local topics. Contact Blake Felson / 415-515-5944.
- Little Mensches – Families with children get together for stroller walks, play dates, trips to the zoo, and other family friendly events. Contact Leah Felson / 415-310-7596.
- 20-Somethings – Recent college grads and others who haven’t hit the big THREE OH participate in everything from daytrips to the mountains to pub crawls. Contact Andrea Pressman.
- Jewish Book Club – Enjoy discussions about great Jewish books with others who love to read. Will include traditional Jewish books, books written by Jews or simply books read by Jews. You will decide. Contact Andrea Pressman.
- Mitzvah Corps – Build sukkahs for the elderly, work at the local soup kitchen, plant trees, or help kids how to read – whatever your shtick to heal the world!
Contact Adam Felson.
There are so many opportunities to get involved with YAD. Contact us by phone at 415.512.6232 or email yad@sfjcf.org |
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Missing Teen Found
Thanks to selfless individuals and the power of community networking, Emily Graeber has reunited with her family in St. Louis.
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Lunch and a Laugh
Join Rosalie Wise Sharp for a lunch and lecture at the Four Seasons Hotel.
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Other Events
Friday, November 30, 2007.
Join YAD for another wonderful Ben-Gurion Society Shabbat Dinner. Event open to individuals who contribute $1000 or more to the JCF Annual Campaign. If you are interested in joining BGS, please contact Stephanie Brown, YAD Director, at 415.512.6232. Location and time TBA. More...
Monday, December 3, 2007, 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Pillsbury, Winthrop, Shaw, Pittman LLP, 2475 Hanover Street, Palo Alto (map)
Israel is well-known as a fertile environment for innovative technology and strong development teams. Many successful IPO’s, acquisitions and venture investments have leveraged this technology and talent, while bridging US and Israeli resources. BLC’s panel of esteemed experts will discuss their experience with cross border business models and organizational structures that have worked best. More...
Thursday, December 6, 2007, 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Etiquette Lounge, 1108 Market Street, San Francisco (map)
LGBT Alliance in association with Congregation Sha’ar Zahav present Latkes and Vodkas. Please join us as we celebrate the lighting of the third candle.
More...
Sunday, December 9, 2007, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Peninsula Jewish Community Center, Early Childhood Education (ECE) Campus, 800 Foster City Boulevard, Foster City (map)
Join the fun and don't miss the North Peninsula's annual community wide Hanukkah celebration! Please remember to stop by JCF's resource area to decorate Hanukkah cards! All cards and wishes will be given to Jewish Family and Children's Services and distributed around the local senior community. More...
Monday, December 24, 2007 - Tuesday, December 25, 2007, 9:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Ruby Skye, 420 Mason St, San Francisco (map)
The original and best annual party for Jewish young adults in the Bay Area! Over a thousand people enjoy amazing DJs and live entertainment and party until 2:00 a.m. We will be hosting a Ben-Gurion Society pre-reception (time and information TBA) for individuals who contribute $1000 or more to the Annual Campaign. Tickets for the Latke Ball are $25 online or $35 at the door. More...
Tuesday, January 15, 2008 - Thursday, January 17, 2008
Various venues
Part of the special lecture series for Israel @ 60, featuring Israel’s finest literary voices. Kashua has published two novels, Dancing Arabs and Let There Be Morning, both written in Hebrew and translated into several languages, including English. Dancing Arabs has been praised around the world for its uniquely human portrayal of a young man who moves between two societies, becoming a stranger to both. Kashua's hero is totally Palestinian and equally Israeli. More...
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