JFED CONNECTS AN UPDATE OF WHAT’S HAPPENING AT JEWISH FEDERATION
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014
JFedSTL.org
From our Chair, Patricia Croughan
INSIDE From Ruth & Stephen ... 2 Presidents’ Circle .......... 2 Innovation Grants ......... 2
HMLC event.................. 2
Lollapajewza ................. 3 Bohm Funds.................. 3 Israel Travel Grants........ 3
Women Clergy Event .... 3
Millstone & Nishmah in Slingshot ................... 3 2014 Annual Campaign Guide........... 3 Matt Smith’s Story......... 4
Millstone Fellows .......... 4
The Internship Experience.................... 4
As this issue of JFED Connects goes to press, we are six weeks away from completing our 2014 Annual Campaign. On behalf of all our beneficiary agencies, I want to thank the thousands of you who have made a gift to this year's campaign. Your contributions allow our community to be a source for good, and I hope you take genuine pleasure in your ability and willingness to give.
those who needed it most. I am so proud to be a part of this community that takes care of our brothers and sisters, both locally and abroad.
Above and beyond the Annual Campaign, we have accomplished many great things together over the course of the year. In times of crisis, our community came together to provide invaluable assistance at a critical time. From the first instance of the kidnapping of the three boys in Israel to the most recent events in Ferguson, you have been there to respond quickly and help
To donate, visit JFedSTL.org/Donate or call Rachel Pereles, our Campaign Director at 314-442-3809. Rachel would be happy to share with you the many ways to make your gift and be a part of our community’s effort to preserve and enhance Jewish life. Thank you for joining with me to make this possible.
The stories of those we as a Jewish Federation serve are well known, and I hope we have done a good job explaining the very real needs that exist both in the St. Louis and international communities. To those of you who have not yet pledged, please do so now. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference. So please give. Working together, we can have a huge impact on peoples' lives.
From our CEO, Andrew Rehfeld As our 2014 Annual Campaign comes to a close, I would like to remind you how we began this year, with stories that touched our community. So much of our Jewish tradition is handed down in stories. Stories help us connect and discover the common threads that bind us to each other in this life. You can see an assortment of the stories that have been collected at JFedSTL.org/OurStory. Part of our work at Federation is to make sure there is vibrancy to our stories in the future. This is made possible through the funds we collect in the Annual Campaign. Each and every contribution helps make a difference in our community, both locally and abroad. We are able to inspire Jewish life at summer camps and day schools; help take care of vulnerable populations; provide scholarships for innovative community programs; educate and advocate for a strong Israel; and fund initiatives that make Jewish life accessible for individuals of all abilities.
By strengthening existing institutions and developing bold new ways of connecting people and programs, we enrich lives in St. Louis, in Israel, and around the world – ultimately making our community a great place for individuals to live, work and raise their families. This is a communal effort. If you have already made your contribution to the 2014 Annual Campaign, we thank you. If you have not, I ask that you join us now. We are gearing up for a great 2015, but rely on funds from the 2014 Campaign to ensure the future of our Jewish community. The needs continue to grow, but I know that together, we can build a community that is strong, vibrant, energized and most of all committed to ensuring a bright future for Jews everywhere. Thank you for sharing your stories with us. These stories offer a glimpse into the impact we have when we work together. Lives are changed, progress is made, and our community is strengthened.