THE GIVING ISSUE

"WHAT I LOVE ABOUT GIVING TO FEDERATION IS I CAN SEE WHERE MY MONEY GOES. THEY DO A GREAT JOB OF SHOWING THE IMPACT OF MY GIFT." Sophie Rothstein, Young Professionals and Families Steering Committee Member When it comes to giving, women are the influencers for philanthropic giving within their household. According to the IUPUI Women’s Philanthropy Institute Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, across income levels and generations, women are more likely to give, and give more than their male counterparts. Women also seek an emotional connection, using their philanthropy as a way to connect with other women who share their values and beliefs, and to be a role model for their family.

Throughout the Jewish Federation system, women began to put into action in how they give years ago, culminating in a movement that created the Lion of Judah recognition level ($5,000 and above) in 1972. Since then, thousands of women around the world have given their money, their energy and time to Federation. Here in Northeast Florida, there are 104 Lions of Judah, 36 women on the Women’s Philanthropy Steering Committee, and nearly 1,000 female donors.

It is inspiring to hear how and why women have chosen to be involved with our Jewish Federation and Foundation. Women’s Philanthropy Lion of Judah Chair Diane Rothstein became involved when she moved to Jacksonville 33 years ago from New Jersey. Diane had great role models in her own parents, who gave generously throughout her life. When she arrived in Northeast Florida, she became involved because she admired the women who were

working with the organization for their commitment, and she liked being with them. She could see that women were working together to make the world a better place (tikkun olam), she could participate in philanthropy at a greater level, and she could do greater good, for both Jacksonville and Jews around the world.

While she and husband Mitch were raising their three children, Adam, Sophie and Nina, it was important to them to continue the tradition, L’dor V’dor, of community involvement and philanthropy. They wanted their children to grow up with strong Jewish values and an appreciation for mitzvot. For their Bar/Bat Mitzvah projects it was important to Diane and Mitch to incorporate their centerpieces into their project as well as give 25% of their gift money to a charity. This helped their children begin a tradition of giving.

Sophie, now an attorney in Jacksonville, is following her mother’s example by her membership on the Young Professionals and Families Steering Committee, participating in the Bridges Leadership Initiative, and by making a first-time gift in her own name. “It resonates for me the importance of charitable giving. It may not always be easy or convenient, but it is so important. What I love about giving to Federation is I can see where my money goes; Federation does a great job of showing the impact of my gift.”

Philanthropic giving is not just about donating money. Being involved also means giving of one’s time and talent. There are many ways to engage, through mitzvah

projects and committee work. For instance, Women’s Philanthropy recently collected feminine products which were distributed to Jewish Family and Community Services and PACE Center for Girls Jacksonville. Earlier this year, they refurbished three visitation rooms at JFCS, among many other projects throughout the years. Currently, there are over 30 women on the planning committee for the 2021 Women’s Philanthropy Champagne Brunch. These women are the key to any event success.

Today, the top two leaders of the Federation are women, Iris Kraemer is the president of the board and Jennifer Plotkin is the annual campaign chair. These women are influencing the Jewish community, bringing new projects and change that will help shape our community for years to come. Together they have over 30 years of involvement with our Federation and want to see our community continue to grow and thrive.

“My Federation involvement began 15 years ago, shortly after I went on a mission to Poland and Israel,” says Iris Kraemer. “I served as local chair of our P2G program and then SE Consortium co-chair. I now have the honor of serving as Federation president. Although I am only the third woman to serve in this position, gender is no longer a factor in leadership advancement. Female leaders are prevalent inside and outside the world of Jewish philanthropy, both in volunteer and professional capacities. I will be followed by both female and male leaders who qualify based on experience. Most of us will leave our positions with life-changing perspectives and continued commitment.” Iris is also a member of the National Women’s Philanthropy Board, bringing home to Northeast Florida ideas from around the country.

Through National Women’s Philanthropy, we can offer more exclusive programming locally such as speakers who are involved at the highest political and professional levels. Currently, National Women’s Philanthropy is running a Current Event Series for Lions of Judah and recently, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright addressed the group via Zoom. In addition, there are monthly book and author reviews and various upcoming opportunities to participate. Locally, Women’s Philanthropy is hosting their annual Champagne Brunch on Sunday, January 10 with cookbook author, Leah Koenig. It is another way for women to show the power of their involvement.

Kraemer is proud of what we’ve accomplished locally, “Women's Philanthropy segments of Federations are often the driving force behind engagement and successful annual campaigns, the two pillars that enable us to care for the entire Jewish world. The Lion of Judah campaign has proven to be the most successful fundraising program in history, and we must continue building on anything that yields success.

I believe that those who support and work for Federations should do so in a way that makes them feel best about the roles they play, regardless of demographics. All are warmly and enthusiastically welcome to join us in the ways that are most meaningful to them.”

"FEMALE LEADERS ARE PREVALENT INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE WORLD OF JEWISH PHILANTHROPY, BOTH IN VOLUNTEER AND PROFESSIONAL CAPACITIES." Iris Kraemer, President of the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida.

YOUR TIME TO OTHERS WITHOUT

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, as the saying goes. How could you not look forward to the chilly weather, the smell of fall in the air and decorations for Chanukah and Christmas at every turn?

For some, the holiday can be upsetting. It can leave people lonely and depressed. It can take a toll on your emotional wellness and has been widely reported to lead to suicide, drug and alcohol use, and domestic abuse. Many times, when things are going well, we take the happiness and bustle of the holidays for granted, not considering what others might be going through—if they are going through anything at all. We don’t think about those who may not be able to celebrate the holidays because they may not have a family to call their own, they’ve lost someone close to them during the holiday season, or they are in the middle of marital discord and just cannot bring themselves to celebrate. We never know what others are experiencing.

There are many ways to combat the holiday blues:

1. VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME

Find a cause that you are passionate about. Many non profits are busy during the holiday season and are looking for assistance from volunteers. Whether it is helping at a local food pantry or volunteering to raise money for a charity, volunteer opportunities can provide several important things:

CONNECTION

If you are feeling lonely, depressed and isolated, volunteering can connect you to people and community interested in the same thing—helping a worthwhile cause.

CONFIDENCE AND SELF-ESTEEM

Research shows that volunteering is particularly useful and can boost your self-esteem and confidence. It gets you OUT out of bed and out the door. By taking this positive action, you are breaking the cycle of negative thoughts and low moods and replacing them with productive behaviors.

PHYSICAL HEALTH

Studies have shown that volunteering over a long period of time can decrease blood pressure, manage chronic health conditions, help you lose weight and live longer.

MENTAL HEALTH

Oftentimes, when volunteering, it’s almost impossible not to experience that warm, fuzzy feeling when you know you are doing something that is going to impact someone’s life in a positive (possibly even a life-changing) way. Additionally, volunteering reduces stress and takes our minds off of destructive habits, providing us with a sense of accomplishment and purpose. It makes us feel happy!

2. REACH OUT TO FRIENDS

We all experience stress in our daily lives. During the holidays, there is generally added pressure. Sometimes it’s the financial burden. Other times, it could be a myriad of things that add to the stress of the holiday season, including an overextended social calendar, family and relationship drama or the fatigue associated with them. Reaching out to close friends can help ease the stress of this overwhelming time. Sometimes just talking to and spending time with someone is enough to reset the mind and change perspectives. Hanging out with a friend also boosts your mood.

3. EXERCISE REGULARLY

The last thing you might want to do when you are facing holiday blues is exercise, but it is so important. Going to the gym regularly can be tough, add into that the stress of the holidays and you have a recipe for disaster if you don’t take

care of yourself. You don’t have to be a slave to the treadmill or weight machine during this time to feel the benefits exercise can provide. Take a casual walk each night with your dog or with a friend. This break from the stress can provide your mind a reboot and reduce stress to keep holiday blues at bay.

The message we all need to keep in mind as the holidays approach is twofold. We must take care of ourselves, while at the same time taking note of our physical and mental health. The holidays are a time of giving and receiving. A time of tzedakah and Tikkun Olam. We give back because it’s our duty and it’s what we are supposed to do, but there is a bonus in the enjoyment in doing so.

So why is giving back during the holiday so important? Thinking and doing good for others goes hand-in-hand with

Ghandi’s famous quote, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

Each and every one of us are connected in some way. Assisting others is a privilege. It’s a feel-good opportunity to change a life. Giving back gives you something too—it gives you a sense of purpose and satisfaction that you did your part to repair the world. No matter how small the deed is, every little bit makes a big difference.

As you give back this year during the holidays, keep in mind that while you are impacting others’ lives that you must take care of yourself as well.

In the Jewish tradition of helping people help themselves, remember that everything you do is making the world a better place than when you found it.

BACK THROUGH SOCIAL JUSTICE

Social Justice is one of the cornerstones of Temple Bet Temple Bet Yam participates in events commemorating the Yam which provides opportunities for Temple mass arrest of 16 Reform rabbis who joined Martin Luther King members to perform good deeds throughout the Jr. in St. Augustine in 1964. We have a presence on the year. Leading Compassionate St. Augustine the program Advisory Board and are co-chairs Community Conversations Andi and Joe Marx along on Race hosted by Grace with their dedicated United Methodist Church. committee. We support Recently, during one of our community organizations Yom Kippur afternoon that are engaged in discussion groups, co-Chair Tikkun Olam, both Jewish Joe Marx hosted a Zoom and non-Jewish. discussion with Grace This belief has United's co-Pastor David developed into a very Williamson to share ideas on strong Social Justice the very relevant topic of community outreach race relations. We also program. Through our partner with the St Dining with Dignity Augustine Interfaith program led by Heather Community Board to Chupella, we have built a present the Interfaith strong rapport with St. Program co-chairs Andi and Joe Marx Thanksgiving service and Paul AME Church to help Interfaith Passover Seder. feed the homeless and indigent in St. Augustine. Before Rabbi Nadia Siritsky leads discussions organized by the Social Covid-19, which put a halt to in-person interactions, our Justice committee which encourage reflections from diverse congregants helped monthly with set up, loading up the van, and community leaders on the spiritual lessons we can glean from serving meals to the clients. Since COVID-19, food is dropped their respective faith traditions, and how these traditions can off at Temple where donations are collected on specific days and help us gain insight into our own Jewish journey. Committee hours and then brought to the church where St. Paul's volunteers member David Kasriel sits on the Advisory Board of the ASSIST prepare the take-out containers. This insures that the needy will program which helps unaccompanied youth in the St. Johns continue to have at least one healthy meal. TBY continues with school district by providing both supplies and mentoring its High Holiday Food drive where non-perishable food is services needed for school. collected to donate to St. Francis House in St. Augustine and/or Through our deep commitment to Social Justice, we present to other needy food banks. Another initiative enthusiastically to our St. Augustine community a better understanding of undertaken by Temple members was to recycle plastic bags into Judaism and our Jewish identity. plarn to be crocheted into waterproof sleeping mats for the homeless in our area. These mats were then donated to Home Again St. Johns.

INTO PERSPECTIVE

By Mitzi Saul, Jewish Federation & Suffice it to say, for the past eight months, our lives have been turned upside down. Whether one spends hours on Zoom video calls, finds unique ways to connect with family and friends, or juggles parent and teacher responsibilities, life as we know it has changed dramatically. • • together as a community. It provides news and stories with a Northeast Florida focus while sharing information about our partner agencies, Jewish schools and synagogues. It demonstrates the need for funding our local and overseas partner agencies. Foundation of Northeast Florida

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