4 IYAR 5779 • MAY 9, 2019 • VOLUME XXXX, NUMBER 10 • PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID, SYRACUSE, NY
JCC annual meeting and gala on June 2 BY WILLIAM WALLAK The Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse’s 156th annual meeting and gala will be held on Sunday, June 2, from 11 am-2 pm, at Owera Vineyards in Cazenovia. The event is considered the JCC’s biggest and most important annual fund-raiser. It will feature an awards ceremony recognizing a range of outstanding service in support of the JCC and the community. Barbara Davis will Robin and Neil Goldberg will be Jessica Malzman Phil Rubenstein Rabbi Evan Shore This year’s gala theme – back be inducted into the inducted into the JCC Hall of Fame. will receive the is the recipient of will receive the by popular demand from last year JCC Hall of Fame. Leslie Award. the Sam Pomeranz JCC’s highest honor, – will be a “New York Kosher Deli J C C ’s K o v o d the Kovod Gadol Experience,” catered again by Essen New better off while touching so many along This year’s honorees will be recogAward. Award, at the gala. York Deli of Brooklyn. It will start with a the way.” nized for their dedication and support cocktail hour, which will give way to an As in previous years, the gala’s pro- with a personalized plaque or statue as a After graduation, he worked full time as a recording engineer for the Eastman School authentic deli-style brunch. Following a ceeds will provide funding for scholar- token of their honor. brief business meeting, five awards will ships to individuals in the JCC’s early The Kovod Award, which signifies and part time for the International Assobe presented. childhood, after school, summer camp honor and importance, will be presented ciation of Theater and Stage Employees. JCC Executive Director Marci Erle- and senior programs. Thanks to last year’s to Phillip Rubenstein, JCC board mem- In 1991, Rubenstein returned to Syracuse bacher said, “We are excited to honor gala supporters, the JCC granted more ber and vice president. Rubenstein grew to open the home office repair division See “JCC” on page 2 such a terrific slate of award recipients than $40,000 in scholarship requests, up in Fayetteville, NY, and attended the again this year. Their generous and self- served more than 6,000 meals to seniors University of Rochester, where he studied less giving have helped make both the and offered fitness classes at a discount psychology and interned as a recording engineer at the Eastman School of Music. JCC and the local community richer and to those in need.
Multi-agency annual meeting on June 5 On Wednesday, June 5, there will be a multi-agency annual meeting at the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse. Refreshments will be served at 6:30 pm, with the meeting starting at 7 pm. Participating in the meeting and delivering their annual reports will be the
Jewish Federation of Central New York, the Syracuse Hebrew Day School, the Rabbi Jacob Epstein School of Jewish Studies and the Syracuse Community Hebrew School. The JCC will give a report of agency at the meeting, as well. The 2019 Esther and Joseph Roth Award for Outstanding Jewish Com-
munity Leadership will be presented to Marc Beckman as one of those individuals who have demonstrated “outstanding Jewish community leadership.” It is always presented at Federation’s annual meeting. There will be more details in the May 23 issue of the Jewish Observer.
Federation Campaign update
Federation Campaign donations – and a vote of confidence in the community BY COLLEEN BAKER In recent years, much attention has been given to charitable giving trends. Some federated charitable organizations find themselves in an identity crisis and struggle to make the case for this type of giving. As the Jewish Federation of Central New York embarks on its second century of philanthropy, Federation’s single fund-raising effort – the annual Campaign – allows Federation to distribute the funds to a diverse range of beneficiary agencies. The Federation Board manages the funds so that they can respond to the changing needs of the community. The board, which is elected annually, develops the criteria for making grants or designations to primarily Jewish nonprofits. This is important because some agencies, such as the Achavat Achim Mikvah, serve a critical need for some of the local
Jewish population, but may need a boost in revenue. As fund-raising costs increase, many smaller – but very necessary – organizations may not be able to sustain a reasonable level of funding. As a result, programs can shrink or disappear entirely. Federation fund-raising reduces overhead and helps stretch dollars. Organizations submit financial and governance practices to the Federation Board. In doing so, donations go to financially sound programs – taking the burden off our donors to vet each organization. Rather than being asked for donations for multiple nonprofits throughout the year, an annual pledge to Federation means one donation provides for all of the beneficiaries that make this community thrive. The Jewish Federation of Central New York has also benefitted greatly from corporate gifts and foundations, especially the Pomeranz, Shankman and Martin
Charitable Foundation, which means that those who receive Federation funding can benefit from such large entities. It can be See “Campaign” on page 7
2019 Federation Campaign Annual
Pay it forward and donate to the 2019 Jewish Federation of CNY Annual Campaign
$1,140,562 as of May 2, 2019
Thank you for your support! Goal: $1,300,000
WOW! goal reached our st o m al ve e’ W cord! last year’s re ed ce ex s u p el h For more information, please contact Colleen Baker at 315-445-2040, ext. 102, or Cbaker@jewishfederationcny.org
Follow the Jewish Federation of Central New York for the latest updates! @Jewish-Federation-Of-Central-New-York @JewishFederationOfCNY C A N D L E L I G H T I N G A N D P A R AS H A
May 10............................. 7:58 pm...............................................Parashat Kedoshim May 17............................. 8:05 pm....................................................... Parashat Emor May 24............................. 8:12 pm...................................................... Parashat Behar
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Menorah Park meeting Congregational notes
News in brief...
Menorah Park will share its vision Local congregations announce a Antisemitism envoy says America of caring for seniors at its annual Sisterhood brunch, a book club, may review its ties with nations a movie, and more. meeting on June 27. deemed anti-Israel; and more. Stories on page 4 Story on page 3 Stories on page 7
PLUS Women in Business.............4-5 Calendar Highlights............... 7 Classifieds................................ 7 Obituaries................................. 7