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Gvanim Program to Bring Israeli Defense Force (IDF) Officers to Bay Area to Experience Jewish Diversity
The Jewish Community Federation will host 12 high-ranking IDF officers for three and a half days of interaction with the Bay Area Jewish community this February 24-27. Itinerary highlights include an introduction to Jewish meditation with Rabbi Alan Lew, co-founder of Makor Or Jewish meditation center; a discussion with Rabbi Camille Shira Angel of Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and heterosexual Reform synagogue located in San Francisco’s Mission district; and a tour of San Francisco’s Delancey Street rehabilitation organization. The visiting soldiers, who travel in uniform, represent the broad diversity of Israel’s army and include men and women of varying ages and lifestyles from throughout the country.
The IDF contingent will be here as part of the JCF’s Gvanim IDF, a collaborative program between the Federation and the Israeli army. Gvanim IDF seeks to expose high-ranking Army officers to the vast diversity of Judaism within Israeli society and the Diaspora with the goal of producing new leaders committed to Jewish pluralism and acceptance of religious diversity.
Meet the Gvanim IDF
The public will have the opportunity to meet the IDF officers at two events taking place Monday, Febuary 25, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. simultaneously at the Jewish Community Federation in San Francisco:
Meet the Gvanim Women
Meet the Gvanim Men
Program background
The Federation’s Gvanim initiative, which loosely means rainbow in Hebrew, is an Israel-based program dedicated to the acceptance and celebration of the entire spectrum of Jewish religious observance, from Orthodox to secular and all points in-between. The program was created by the JCF and its volunteer board in Israel with the goals of developing citizen leadership to promote Jewish respect and tolerance for a multiplicity of Jewish religious expressions in order to bring Israelis closer to their heritage and improve the quality of public life. Since 1999, six rounds of the program have been held for varying groups of Israeli citizens, all of whom share an experience of focusing on the three pillars of Gvanim: Leadership, Learning and Social Action.
More information about the program and Gvanim action projects is available on the Gvanim webpage.
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As Seasons Change — A Quick Guide to Jewish Summer Camp
The cold and rain seem endless this time of year, and it’s hard to believe that summer is only a few months away. But despite the chill and dampness in the air, now is the time for parents to start planning for the summer break when school is not in session.
Few things build the character of children more than summer camp. A good camp offers children a chance to connect with the outdoors, learn self-reliance and strengthen their Jewish identity. In fact, Jewish camp alumni are 50% more likely to join a synagogue, 90% more likely to join a JCC and are twice as likely to give $100 or more to their local Federation than Jewish adults who never went to Jewish camp.
The Bay Area is home to a variety of Jewish camps – both day camps and overnight. Most Jewish Community Centers offer day camps for children from pre-school through middle school, and some have specialty programs with a focus on arts, sports or music.
Camp Tawonga and Camp Newman are both Bay Area Jewish overnight camps. Both provide opportunities for personal growth, friendships and fun. Camp Tawonga is located in the Sierras about an hour’s drive from Yosemite National Park and Camp Newman is located in Santa Rosa.
The Jewish Community Endowment Fund in partnership with the Bureau of Jewish Education offers financial assistance to eligible campers for day, family specialty, and overnight camps located in the U.S., Canada, and Israel. Find out more about camperships (scholarships for camp) and apply online at the BJE website. For further information, please contact BJE Financial Aid Director, Janet Rothman at 415.751.6983 x107.
Be aware that most financial assistance requests must be submitted by Tuesday, April 1, 2008.
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Campaign Update with the Traegers: Thank You
We have all experienced the positive influence that a challenge can have on our lives.
A challenge can lead us to take the extra step that will carry us further than we thought we could go, make us achieve more than we thought possible, and expand our horizons far beyond our dreams.
A challenge has done just that for our Bay Area Jewish community. This year, along with other committed Bay Area families, we have had the unique opportunity of being part of the Nancy and Stephen Grand Million Dollar Challenge Grant. Every new gift from donors who did not give in 2007, and every increased dollar over last year's donation are being matched up to $1 million by the Challenge Grant.
Your response has been amazing – to date, a huge 40 percent of all gifts and pledges this campaign year are increases! These extra funds will help us all achieve more in our Jewish community, both at home and abroad; for those at risk and in need; for ourselves and our friends -- so we can be part of a thriving Jewish world; and for our children -- to expand the horizon of their Jewish futures while strengthening their connection to our past.
We thank you!
And we’d like to remind you that the Federation’s phone-a-thon week is coming up, Sunday, March 2 through Sunday, March 9, 2008. We ask you to please answer our call and rise to the challenge with your own increase or new gift, or volunteer to reach out to your community at whichever date, time and location is convenient for you. If you have questions or would like to donate, please contact Sarah Krumholz at 415.512.6240.
There are also some very special upcoming events to look forward to -- two Pomegranate events (for women who make an individual gift of $1,800 or more):
Wednesday, February 27, 7:00 p.m.
North Peninsula
This event will feature renowned baker, Flo Braker with an evening of sumptuous and glamorous desserts made easy. More...
Wednesday, March 19, 7:00 p.m.
A special evening to mingle with friends, enjoy hors d' oeuvres, and sip pomtinis. The evening's featured speaker, Tiffany Shlain, founded the Webby Awards and created the short film The Tribe, the unorthodox and unauthorized history of the Jewish people as portrayed by the Barbie Doll. More...
And last, but certainly not least, we have the Women’s Alliance event of the year:
Tuesday, April 8, 2008, 5:00 p.m.
The Hilton, 333 O'Farrell Street, San Francisco (map)
Join hundreds of Jewish women as we gather to celebrate the Power of One, and enjoy the wisdom of our keynote speaker, Dear Abby. Trust us – we think this one will sell out fast! More...
We look forward to speaking with you in March or seeing you soon at the events. Thank you again for all that you do!
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Nominate an Exceptional Teacher
Nominations are now being accepted for the Helen Diller Family Award for Excellence in Jewish Education. Four awards will be given in June 2008, recognizing outstanding teachers in the areas of early childhood, day school, congregational / community school, and informal education.
Nominations are currently being accepted through Saturday, March 15, 2008. Nomination forms and more information can be found at www.sfjcf.org/endowment.
For further information or questions about the Helen Diller Family Awards for Excellence in Jewish Education, please contact Judy Bloom at 415.512.6263.
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Seeking Teens for Awards
The National Diller Teen Initiatives* is seeking outstanding teen nominees for the Second Annual Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards. The awards recognize up to five Jewish teens, 13-19 years old at the time of nomination, from throughout California, for exceptional community service and outstanding leadership in helping to achieve tikkun olam (repair of the world). Recipients will each receive an award of $36,000 to be used for their college education or for the implementation of their vision for making our world a better place.
Nominations are currently being accepted through Tuesday, March 11, 2008. Nomination forms and more information can be found at www.sfjcf.org/diller.
For further information or questions about the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards, please contact Nicole Miller at 415.512.6206.
*The National Diller Teen Initiatives is funded by the Helen Diller Family Foundation, a supporting foundation of the Jewish Community Endowment Fund of the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties. |
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Other Events
Saturday, February 23, 2008, 7:30 p.m.
The Ninth Street Independent Film Center, 145 Ninth Street, San Francisco (map)
Please join us for this intimate viewing of Round Trip, the story of a divorced Israeli woman who hires a single African woman as a nanny. Soon the two women form a passionate friendship leading to romance. More...
Sunday, February 24, 2008, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Offices of DLA Piper USA LLP, 2000 University Avenue, East Palo Alto (map)
and
Monday, February 25, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Four Seasons Hotel, 757 Market Street, San Francisco (map)
Rabbi Steven Z. Leder, author of The Extraordinary Nature of Ordinary Things and More Money Than God: Living a Rich Life Without Losing Your Soul, will conduct an interactive workshop about the importance and role of ethical wills in modern-day Jewish life and help participants organize their thoughts into a personal document that embodies the values they hold most dear and hope to pass on to future generations. More...
Thursday, February 28, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
Peninsula Temple Beth El, 1700 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo (map)
Lecture by Neal Levy, Director, Israel Center of the Jewish Community Federation on new Israel-diaspora relations. More...
Monday, March 3, 2008, 7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Jewish Community Federation, 121 Steuart Street, San Francisco (map)
Meet with the staff of Nefesh B'Nefesh and get practical information and advice on moving to Israel. More...
Saturday, March 8, 2008, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, 3200 California Avenue, San Francisco (map)
Join early childhood educator extraordinaire Mimi Greisman and other Chai Baby families for a Shabbat celebration. Songs, snacks, puppets. All parents, babies, toddlers and older siblings welcome! No one does Tot Shabbat like Mimi! More...
Wednesday, April 30 – Thursday, May 8, 2008
Israel
Join the Business Leadership Council of the Jewish Community Federation on an exclusive community trip to Israel led by the Israel Center. Land-only packages are still available. More... |
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