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Announcing the 2008 Annual Campaign Launch!
The Jewish Community Federation Annual Campaign puts our Jewish values into action. Each year, we build a collaborative network of people whose common bond is the profound belief that it is our responsibility to improve the lives of those less fortunate. We began this Jewish New Year by embarking on our joint effort to raise essential funds that support a myriad of critical organizations and programs in our local community, Israel and around the world. Campaign Co-Chairs Carol and Norman Traeger are off to a great start in securing the vital resources that provide a bedrock of support to community agencies around the globe.
This year, we invite you to take advantage of a very special opportunity!
This year donors have the opportunity to magnify the impact of their gifts: Announcing the Steve and Nancy Grand 2008 Million Dollar Challenge Grant! All new gifts and all increases to gifts will be matched from the Challenge fund, up to $1,000,000.
In other news, Super Sunday has been moved to February, but in November, the most dedicated members of our campaign family will reach out to give you the opportunity to increase the impact of your gift before the Challenge Grant concludes, while taking advantage of year-end tax incentives. Stay tuned for more!
How your dollars made a direct impact on our Jewish community in 2007.
In 2007, more than $31 million was raised. View a summary of our 2007-2008 allocations. This year, we hope to further the tradition by growing the Federation’s Annual Campaign so that it continues as a pillar of the Jewish community, providing critical funds for our collective strength, vitality and endurance.
Give online today. |
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Tax-Free Gift of IRA Assets – Due to Expire December 31!
It is widely expected that the IRA Charitable Rollover which was signed into law in August 2006, will expire at the end of 2007. So now is the time to act! The IRA Rollover provision allows you to distribute up to $100,000 from your IRA directly to a qualified public charity, such as the Jewish Community Endowment Fund or the Jewish Community Federation. You can count the full amount toward your required minimum IRA distribution this year and avoid the income tax on the amount contributed, as well as avoid potential future estate taxes. In addition, the transfer is not subject to the charitable deduction limit of 50% of your adjusted gross income.
To Qualify as an IRA Charitable Rollover
- You must be 70 1/2 years or older at the time of the gift.
- You may distribute up to $100,000 to a qualified public charity. A husband and wife, who each have a separate IRA, may contribute $100,000 each for a combined charitable distribution of $200,000.
- Transfers must be made directly from your IRA administrator to the charity.
- The gift amount will be excluded from your taxable gross income (provided the distribution would be otherwise taxable).
- The IRA gift will be counted toward the minimum distribution requirements for IRAs.
- Distributions can only be made from traditional IRAs or Roth IRAs.
Important Limitations
- Transfers may not be made from 403(b), 401(k), pension, or other retirement plans.
- Contributions can be made to eligible public charities, but not to donor-advised funds, supporting organizations, private non-operating foundations, charitable lead trusts, and life income plans, such as charitable remainder trusts, pooled income funds and charitable gift annuities.
An IRA Charitable Contribution to the JCEF or the JCF. Consider gifts in the following areas:
We encourage you to discuss the IRA charitable rollover with your financial advisor or tax preparer to determine whether this opportunity would meet both your philanthropic and financial planning goals.
For more information contact:
Rita Choit Adler at 415.512.6287 or email ritaa@sfjcf.org
Jennifer Gorovitz at 415.512.6215 or email jenniferg@sfjcf.org
Lisa Gurwitch at 415.512.6221 or email lisag@sfjcf.org
Please note: This information is not intended to provide legal advice, and merely conveys factual information about a law. It is not intended to be applied to an individual’s specific circumstances. This information should not be relied upon or used by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed by the Internal Revenue Service. |
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Israel: A Year After the Conflict
A reflection by Gila Noam, Director of the Federation's Israel Office
Only a year has passed since last summer's conflict, but as I traveled to Israel's northern border, I could barely see any evidence of last summer's war. Very few signs of physical damage remain, cafés are full, and life seems to be back to normal.
Yet, people have not forgotten the horrors of the war. Many real scars remain, albeit invisible ones. I was told that many kids still wake up from nightmares; some still cling to their parents and jump at every loud noise. Too many families struggle to recover from the economic blow. Having the battlefield at their doorstep is not an experience they can easily block out.
Nevertheless, I found that the war victims in the north have also not forgotten the caring and compassion of the Federation community’s almost instantaneous response. As rockets were screeching through the region, Federation dollars flowed in to provide basic supplies to the stifling shelters that became "home" for thousands of children, elderly, new immigrants, and the disabled for an entire month. Our dollars immediately funded emergency equipment for firefighters and family "respite days" to escape the constant shelling and pervasive fear. It was the San Francisco Jewish Community Federation’s quick and targeted action that made life a bit more bearable for these victims under such trying conditions and with so much tension in the air.
The Federation's compassionate support in revitalizing this area was evident: supportive programs for trauma and post-trauma victims; economic development projects and mentoring for small businesses affected by the war; scholarships for college students to return to school after the loss of income during the conflict; and expanded services for the handicapped and disabled through the Regional Hydrotherapy Center.
Visiting the Hameginim School in Kiryat Shmona, I could see first-hand how our dollars helped after the war to structurally rebuild their rocket damaged school. Teachers eagerly told me about their new extended school day activities and hot lunch programs that not only enrich the educational environment, but also address the needs of students coming from single-parent families, new immigrants, and those economically impoverished by the war.
I spent a very intense and emotional 2 days in the Galil during the week that marked "a year after" the war. Everywhere I went, the magic word was San Francisco. I was thanked and hugged over and over again. What was it that made our community stand out among the many American–Jewish communities who provided support during the war? In the people's own words:
"San Francisco JCF was there when we were most in need - from day one of the war. We told you what we needed and you listened to us. You responded so quickly and efficiently!"
"You continue to care about us and to work together with us on so many fronts. You are helping us to ensure that our children get the same opportunities to succeed as the children in Tel Aviv."
I felt so proud and so privileged to represent JCF. I urge you to share in this pride. It is YOU and your community who are making this work possible. It is YOU who are touching the lives of thousands who are so deeply grateful that you care. Thank you for your compassion! |
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The Jewish/Latino Experience
The upcoming International Latino Film Festival features two unique movies that focus on Jewish life in Latin America:
O Ano em que Meus Pais Saíram de Férias/ The Year My Parents Went on Vacation
2007, Brazil, 104 min, directed by Cao Hamburger
It is 1970 and Brazil and the world seem to have been turned upside-down, but 12 year-old Mauro's worries have nothing to do with the military regime which controls the country. His biggest dream is to see Brazil become three-time winner of the World Cup. Suddenly, he is torn from his parents and taken to live in a “strange” and fun-filled community – Bom Retiro, a district in São Paulo which is home to a large Jewish community, among others cultures.
Premiering on:
- Saturday, November 3, 2007, 1:30 PM, San Francisco, Castro Theater and
- Friday, November 16, 2007, 6:15 PM, Redwood City, Century Theater
Cara de Queso - Mi primer gueto/Cheese Head - My first ghetto
2006, Argentina, Spain, 80 min directed by Ariel Winograd (who will be in attendance)
At a Jewish country club located outside Buenos Aires. Ariel, a young boy nicknamed Cheese Head, accidentally becomes witness to a violent bullying incident. Parents, authorities and other club members organize a trial where the guilty boy might be suspended. Meanwhile, Ariel, constantly harassed by the bully, carries on with summer fun and learns about the grown-up world surrounding him. A satirical and comical fairy tale that questions the classical myths of Judaism and moves away from folklore, proposing a more cynical view through the eyes of Cheese Head. The story parallels the childhood of the film’s Argentinean director, Ariel Winograd.
Premiering on:
- Saturday, November 10, 2007, 5:00 PM, San Francisco, Larkspur, Lark Theater
Audience members are invited to a Shalom Tango at Angelico Hall (Dominican University) after the screening. Join film director Ariel Winograd for an evening featuring the sensual rhythms of Buenos Aires and Tango dancing. This festive event is a celebration of the Jewish experience in the Latin world and features the best Latin cuisine from Marin – the birthplace of the ILFF.
The Jewish Experience portion of the Festival is supported by the Alexander M. and June L. Maisin Foundation of the Jewish Community Federation.
For more information go to: LatinoFilmFestival.org or email to info@latinofilmfestival.org |
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The Blessing of a Skinned Knee
Dr. Wendy Mogel, nationally renowned psychologist and author of best-selling book, The Blessing of a Skinned Knee: Using Jewish Teachings to Raise Self-Reliant Children, will be making a rare Bay Area appearance.
The event will be held on Tuesday, November 13 at 7:30pm, beginning with a lecture given by Dr. Mogel and followed by a book-signing at Kepler’s Bookstore, and dessert reception sponsored by the Women’s Alliance of the Jewish Community Federation.
Get the special admittance rate by pre-ordering tickets online through the Jewish Community Federation.
Due to overwhelming response to this event, the venue has been moved from Hillbarn Theatre in Foster City to the much larger Bayside Performing Arts Center, located in San Mateo.
“Dr. Mogel has been a keynote speaker at the annual meetings of the National Association of Independent Schools, the National Association of Principals of Schools for Girls, the Educational Records Bureau, the National Association of Episcopal Schools, the American Montessori Society, and the American Camp Association."
A graduate of Middlebury College, Dr. Mogel completed an internship and post-doctoral fellowship in the Department of Psychiatry at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. She is the co-founder of the Los Angeles Association of Independent School Counselors and serves on the boards of the Center for Early Education and the Counsel for Spiritual and Ethical Education, a century old inter-faith organization serving private schools. She has contributed articles to Independent School Magazine, Camping Magazine, and the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. On October 1, 2006, The New York Times Sunday Magazine published a profile of Dr. Mogel and her work.
This program is part of the 2007-2008 Jewish Life Cycle Series “Coming of Age” chapter and is supported in part by generous grants from the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Foundation, the Walter and Elise Haas Fund and the Koret Foundation. |
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Other events
Friday, October 19, 2007, 4:00 p.m. - Saturday, October 20, 2007
Anthony Chabot Regional Park, 9999 Redwood Road, Lost Ridge Campground, Castro Valley (map)
Become active on your campus. Expand your knowledge of Israeli culture and politics, sharpen your advocacy skills, and connect with Jewish students from Northern California campuses. This is a camping weekend that could change the world.
Friday, October 19, 2007, 7:00 p.m.
Home of the Felson's, 3716 Fillmore St, San Francisco (map)
Do you and your spouse have a new baby or a young child? The Little Mensches is a new group within YAD geared to parents under 40 and their children. Join us for our Shabbat Potluck event and meet new friends!
Monday, October 22, 2007, 7:30 p.m.
Congregation Beth Am, Beit Kehillah, 3200 California Avenue, 26790 Arastradero Rd., Los Altos Hills (map)
Text study in memory of the late prime minister on the 12th anniversary of his assassination, led by Ruth Calderon, founder and executive director of Alma College, Tel Aviv. (more info: Aya Lefkowitz / 415.844.7503).
Tuesday, October 23, 2007 & Wednesday, October 24, 2007, 7:30 p.m.
Scott Copeland, Director of Travel Education at MaKom, Israel Engagement Network will provide the latest travel tips and the most exciting places to visit as well as answer questions on safety and security. With extensive experience guiding specialty tours in Israel under the Israeli Ministry of Tourism, his knowledge will help make your trip the best it can be.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007, 7:00 p.m.
Citizen Cake, 399 Grove St, San Francisco (map)
Interested in joining a book club? In a book club and feel compelled to be in another? Please come to an informal gathering to discuss potential books, times and places, and help form a club with other young adults in the Jewish community! Please email Andrea to RSVP.
Saturday, October 27, 2007, 7:30 p.m.
Joseph Pitchhadze’s critically acclaimed feature film (2006). like the 2004 Oscar winning Crash, and the best Robert Altman films, weaves together several, seemingly unrelated, stories in Tel Aviv, among whose dramatis personae are a radio technician in search of his punk-rock father’s legacy, a single mother unable to support her son, a blind man whose guide-dog is run over by a reckless driver and a yuppie childless couple facing an unplanned pregnancy. All of them reach a “point zero” in their life and embark on a meaningful journey. |
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