JFED CONNECTS AN UPDATE OF WHAT’S HAPPENING AT JEWISH FEDERATION
APRIL/MAY 2014
INSIDE The Lady in Number 6 .... 2 Yom HaShoah ................ 2 Art of Women’s Philanthropy.. .................. 2 Experience Israel............. 2 Community Study ........... 3 State Tax Credits for NORC........................ 3 Leaders Talk About Change ................ 3 JPro Announces New Board...................... 4 Sherri Frank Weintrop Honored.................... 4 New Donor Associate ..... 4 Federation is proud to announce the launch of our new website in support of our annual Community Campaign. Visit JFedSTL.org/OurStory to read stories from our community and learn about our impact. You are also invited to share your story on social media using #JFedSTLStory.
JFedSTL.org
From our Vice Chair, Strategic Planning, Greg Yawitz
CONNECTING AND FURTHERING YOUR JEWISH JOURNEY
After serving Federation in a multitude of capacities, Greg Yawitz is stepping down from his current responsibilities to assume the presidency at Congregation Shaare Emeth. We asked him to reflect on his work at Federation. Webster’s Dictionary defines community as a social, religious, occupational or other group sharing common characteristics or interests. Our Jewish community in St. Louis has as its central address Jewish Federation. To some it is “the” Jewish Federation, although to me—and I hope to you—it is “our” Jewish Federation. Whether you are a member of a synagogue, the JCC, a donor, recipient or interested bystander, I want you to see our Federation as a place where you can help, be helped, learn, volunteer, get connected, or in some way enhance your Jewish journey. For me, it started many years ago when I was invited to a Young Professionals Division event at the St. Louis Science Center. There I met a number of people and started forming relationships. Fast forward more than 20 years, and I find myself about to wrap up this current
From our CEO, Andrew Rehfeld
chapter of my journey as vice president of strategic planning, a role I would never have envisioned and certainly never have believed to be as educating and meaningful as it has been so far. Along the way, I have served on a number of committees, task forces and other teams where I hope I have made an impact in the lives of others around St. Louis. Time and space require that I be concise and to the point, which I am not known for it, but I will try. My hope as I move on to another role in the community is that I have inspired others to walk the path I have walked, a path I did not create, but is the path of community. This path is one where people take their time and resources to help others simply because we want to, and not because we are commanded to (or in some cases because we feel guilted into it). If you haven’t tried it, take a few steps on the path and see how it feels. You may just find out you like it more than you expected, and you may be surprised where it leads.
ADVOCATING FOR A SAFE JEWISH WORLD
As we celebrated the liberation of our people from the bondage of slavery, events unfolded in Kansas City and continued to unfold in Ukraine, that reminded us that our history is not always past. The persecution of our people simply because of who we are doesn’t seem to disappear, even here in the United States, where we are more vibrant and esteemed than ever before. That the violence in Kansas City wound up harming only non-Jews is a tragic reminder of this profound acceptance. I was proud of our community’s response. Working closely with the ADL and JCRC, Federation convened our communal leadership and reached out to our synagogues to address security concerns. Local municipalities provided additional protection on Passover. All this occurred behind the scenes, so the response to the tragedy locally was one of sympathy and support for the victims of this senseless act, rather than fear and over-reaction.
Throughout the world, when a crisis emerges, Jewish communities are more often targeted simply for being different. There is increasing concern this is happening in Ukraine. For over a century, Federation has provided resources to respond to crises at a moment’s notice. Working through our partner agencies, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and the Jewish Agency for Israel, Federation resources support Jewish life and organizations in Ukraine. As the situation develops, our partners continue to work in effective ways to protect the area’s most vulnerable residents and Jewish institutions, creating lifelines that can be activated in response to the need. Your annual gift makes these responses possible. We also set up a supplemental Ukraine Assistance Fund through which you may add to your annual support. We are people of faith and hope who understand the continuity of our people depends on the security we are able to provide, as well as the community that we build here at home. Our support demonstrates the collective strength of our global Jewish family. They know they are not alone—their story is your story; it is the story of us all.