L'DOR V'DOR
SEVEN GRANTS AWARDED TO JEWISH LOCAL NONPROFITS By Kellie Smith, Jewish Foundation Director, Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida
The Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida has awarded seven grants totaling $14,000 through the 2021 Jewish Grant Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation. Applications were open to all Jewish nonprofit organizations serving Northeast Florida with a focus on addressing the needs of the community through collaboration and finding innovative approaches to engaging the unaffiliated, new or relocating Jews to the area. A grant review committee reviewed the proposals and engaged in thoughtful dialogue to arrive at the following grant disbursements: Jewish Community Alliance, PJ Library, and JF&F Young Professionals and Families
Reimagining the YPF’s current 2nd Night Seder program, ten host families will gather ten people in their home to provide a unique opportunity to reach a diverse number of people, while being sensitive to the need for smaller gatherings. Beth El – The Beaches, JF&F Women’s Philanthropy, and PJ Library
Funding will be used to help grow membership among newcomers to the area to host Ladies Night Out events with JF&F Women’s Philanthropy and a Mommy and Me Program with PJ Library. NCSY JAX Jewish Student Union
The “JSU Family Experience,” is a program to invite the entire family of
teens participating in Jewish Student Union to two Shabbat dinners and holiday themed special events. The goal is to give students’ families the opportunity to meet new, like-minded people at activities that are nonsynagogue based. Hadassah Jacksonville
Expand Hadassah Talking Circles initiative of gathering women of similar ages and interests to meet at least once a quarter with the inclusion of women new to the community. Martin J. Gottlieb Day School
Reinvent the current Mitzvah program to be pandemic friendly. Outreach to include deliveries of “Shabbat in a Box,” Rosh Hashanah cards and honey, “Tu B’Shevat in a Box,” and Purim Mishloach Manot. Congregation Ahavath Chesed
Create welcome bags for new members of Temple in the T-3 group (20’s and 30’s) to include challah, wine, and mezuzah. In addition, host welcome events to cultivate new members.
Jacksonville Community Kollel
Start an online platform to sign up for six meet and greet kosher brunch/ lunch events during the year to network and welcome newcomers. For more information about the Jewish Grant Making Fund, or how to support local programming, contact Kellie Smith, Foundation Director, by email at kelliek@jewishjacksonville.org or by phone (904) 512-3796.
