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WOMEN’S PHILANTHROPY
WOMEN’S PHILANTHROPY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY Beginning anew, in a New Year
By Amy Zylberman JFLV Director of Community Development
Starting anew always presents an abundance of opportunities. Starting anew during the month of Elul expands and increases those opportunities tenfold, and it is not lost on me that I get to begin my journey as the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley’s new director of community development during Elul.
I look at Elul as a sort of crescendo we are immersed in until we as a community stand before the piercing blast of the shofar during the High Holidays. How best to experience this crescendo? I believe an answer lies in looking inward, reaching outward.
Reaching into my own heart, I know I could not have made a better decision than to have joined everyone here in the Lehigh Valley in this role. From the second my announcement was made and friends and acquaintances reached out to build bridges for me in Allentown and beyond to reading the Annual Reports from previous years and seeing what a broad difference a tight-knit, generous group can make, I know that my work will add great meaning to my life. That awareness as I set out in this role is enough to make a new year sweet.
I am delighted that this work of reaching out is so significant in the work I am taking on here.
After my first few meetings with Beth Kushnick, president of Women’s Philanthropy, and other dedicated women taking charge in the Lehigh Valley, I felt a renewed energy and deep sense of purpose - engagement and outreach are pillars that have meant so much to me as a resident of small but strong Jewish communities all my life. When I was an undergraduate in college, I founded my school’s first Hillel. I know deeply the value of having a space to gather to confidently express myself as a Jew. When that space exists and is set up to warmly welcome others, incredible things are possible.
My career trajectory was certainly mapped out after I realized what wonderful things happened for me because of Jewish organizations - now, taking ownership of this work, I cannot wait to find out what destinations lie within the personal maps of our community members. Women’s Philanthropy affinity groups like Lion of Judah, Pomegranates, Newish and Jewish, and the newer Women Empowering Women initiative and Chai club were born out of passion, out of shared values, and a desire to belong to something bigger than one’s self. I will be overcome with joy to see firsthand what brought our community leaders to the table and to recognize how imperative the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley table is itself.
SPONSORED BY THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY’S WOMEN’S DIVISION
welcoming new babies to the Lehigh Valley
If you’re expecting, know someone who is, or have a new baby, PLEASE LET US KNOW! Contact Abby Trachtman, 610-821-5500 | abbyt@jflv.org
Handmade Afghans BY EVA LEVITT All proceeds benefit projects in Israel:
Food Banks in Israel Neve Michael Youth Village
For prices or to place an order, call Eva 610-398-1376. All payments are made payable to the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley
Preparations being planned for next year’s Freestyle Mission
By Stephanie Goodling HAKOL Editor
The Freestyle Mission to Israel designed for older adults is still in the planning phases, with an anticipated Spring 2022 travel date.
Gavriel Siman-Tov, Federation’s community shaliach, is working with Carol Wilson, program manager and community liaison for older adults at Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley, to prepare participants for an eventful trip. Zoom sessions are currently in process to help interested individuals in creating the trip’s itinerary and choosing their own tracks. The trip is being designed to support travelers of various capabilities and interests. The goal is to build new and strengthen existing relationships within the older adult community, learn about partnerships in Israel as well as opportunities to experience social service programs firsthand, and develop new relationships with Israelis in the Lehigh Valley’s partner community of Yoav.
In the coming months, Siman-Tov hopes to meet with participants twice a month for Hebrew lessons and insider tips to get them ready for the trip.
“I’ll be teaching them some basic Hebrew to get around with, and we will also have time for them to talk with each other to practice basic conversation. I’ll also be going over things like how they get around on Israel’s public transportation, cultural differences they can expect, places they can go if they have a free day. The idea is to give them more of the perspective of a local in the know, not just the tourist things,” explained Siman-Tov.
To join in on the Freestyle Mission, contact Carol Wilson at 610-821-8722 or cwilson@jfslv.org.
Last month, Amy Zylberman joined the Federation staff team as the new director of community development. She will be responsible for assisting with the Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs, Women's Philanthropy and other affinity groups.
Zylberman served most recently as the acting director of the Klehr Center for Jewish Life at Franklin and Marshall College. Prior to that, she was the assistant director of the Klehr Center for Jewish Life, and she had also served as the program director of the Hillel at Trinity College. In addition to creating and running exciting programs, she has experience in fundraising and grant writing and has secured major endowment gifts while at Franklin and Marshall. While at Trinity College Hillel, Zylberman strengthened her ability to create dynamic, engaging opportunities for Jewish students. She supervised a Challah for Hunger Chapter and David Project fellows, recruited students for an Israel Uncovered trip, and helped students create diverse, successful Israel programming. She is looking forward to sharing her experience and creating program content with the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley.
“I’m excited to connect with a true intergenerational community,” said Zylberman.
She earned a B.A. in English from Endicott College in Beverly, Mass., and an M.A. in American Studies and Museums from Trinity College in Hartford, Conn. While an undergraduate student, she founded her college’s Hillel chapter.
“I’ve always been drawn to smaller communities, which is why I ended up in a 2,000-student liberal arts college. I don’t think you should have to sacrifice your whole being just because you're choosing a location that feels right to you. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice your religion, your spiritual well being. It felt important to do that and chart a course for Jewish leadership on my own,” Zylberman said of her experience as Endicott’s Hillel founder.
JFS to offer up laughs at annual fundraiser
Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley is holding its annual fundraiser on Sunday, Nov. 7, at 3 p.m. via Zoom. As well as celebrating the work of JFS, this special event is meant to provide comedy and highlight the importance of laughter on our mental health.
The virtual comedy hour will feature professional comedians from Kosher Komedy. Sponsorships of all levels are available to benefit JFS, which provides services to improve health and well-being such as counseling, assistance through the Community Food Pantry and programs which mitigate loneliness and social isolation.
“This year’s fundraiser will benefit services and programs that enrich the lives of our clients who are experiencing challenges. Fundraising dollars will support individuals who are struggling with emotional, physical and financial issues,” said event co-chair Marcia Berkow.
Attendees to the fundraiser will also receive an exclusive coffee table book entitled “The Great JFS Happy Hour: Supporting Families, Brightening Lives.” JFS is seeking to learn what helped you find the light and brighten your days during this past year. Community members are invited to submit artwork, jokes and funny stories or anecdotes, poems, photos of pets, nature and more! Visit jfslv.org/happyhour or go to events@ jfslv.org to make your submissions for this special book. Sponsors of $72 or above will have their name or ad printed in the coffee table book.
“Jewish Family Service is proud to have provided continual services and programs throughout this past year, with virtually no interruption of service. Through innovation and creativity, the staff supports clients in maintaining mental, physical and emotional health during challenging times,” said event co-chair Susan Sosnow. “This year, we are celebrating both the promise of brighter days ahead and acknowledging the role that humor and the arts play in keeping community connected while restoring smiles to our faces. After all, laughter really is the best medicine.”
To sponsor The Great JFS Happy Hour and/or to submit to the coffee table book, please visit jfslv.org/ happyhour or contact JFS at events@jfslv.org or 610821-8722.
The Jewish Agency for Israel responds with aid to wildfires
The Jewish Agency for Israel
After three days in mid-August, wildfires burning right outside Jerusalem, in the Judean Hills, were contained. The fires consumed around 5,000 acres of land, and thousands of residents were forced to evacuate their homes in the area. Thankfully, firefighters and residents remained safe, and no one lost their lives.
A primary concern of The Jewish Agency for Israel during the blaze was for our programs operating in this region. The first was our youth village Kiryat Ye’arim, which is located in one of the areas that were evacuated. Luckily, school had not yet begun, and there were no children currently living in the village. Our staff was evacuated safely. The second program was our Kibbutz Ulpan program located in Tzuba, whose participants were evacuated to Ulpan Etzion in Jerusalem. Ulpans are intensive Hebrew language programs for new immigrants, typically housed within Absorption Centers. Kibbutz Ulpan students were able to resume their studies under the instruction of our wonderful staff at Ulpan Etzion.
The area that was on fire sits in the municipality of Matte Yehuda, a community partnered with the South African Jewish community and Beit Shemesh through The Jewish Agency Partnership2Gether (P2G) program. P2G connects Israeli cities with Jewish communities worldwide, creating an evergrowing network of support and friendship. The Matte Yehuda and South African communities were in constant contact as, recently, Cape Town suffered from terrible fires in April of this year.
“We worked closely with the local authorities to understand the immediate needs and how The Jewish Agency could be most helpful in assisting with this emergency,” said Amira Ahronoviz, director general and CEO of The Jewish Agency.
“We have offered emergency grants to those whose property has been damaged or whose businesses have been destroyed as well as to families who have been displaced because of the fires,” Amira stated. “With these grants, our intention is to allow affected Israelis to get through this difficult period knowing that Jews around the world are thinking of them as they recover and rebuild.”
As part of our emergency response in Israel, The Jewish Agency is working with the municipality and the Matte Yehuda P2G partnership to create a course to train volunteer firefighters. Those volunteers will both support professional firefighters during times of emergency and train residents in how to respond/react as fires are something we will increasingly need to contend with in the future.
Editor’s Note: The Jewish Agency for Israel is an overseas partner of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley.
The Security Grant Committee is here to aid community security proposals
Over the past several years, the Lehigh Valley Jewish Community has gained a heightened awareness of the need for greater security and safety of our synagogues, Jewish Day School, Jewish Community Center and other institutions.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government have recognized the need for greater security of religious and non-profit institutions and have made funding available on a competitive basis. The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) and the National Security Grant Program (NSGP) provide grants for enhancing the physical security of a facility as well as security training for lay and professional leadership and for congregants. These grants are highly competitive and require significant understanding of the grant requirements to craft a winning proposal. PCCD provides up to $150,000 per grant and requires financial participation from the institution. The NSGP provides up to $150,000 per grant with no cost participation.
To help guide the community in the process of obtaining the grants, Federation has formed the Security Grant Committee, chaired by Rance Block and Barry Halper. The committee is supported by Aaron Gorodzinsky, Federation director of campaign and security planning.
To aid this effort, the Federation has contracted with Ilene Cohen, a grant writer who works very closely with Jewish nonprofits to secure security funds. The majority of her work has been with Jewish organizations in Pittsburgh, including the Federation. Each Lehigh Valley institution can utilize Ilene as they work through the process of developing and writing the proposal to PCCD and NSGP.
The following is an overall approach to the grant: 1. Define the security items and training that will constitute the proposal
2. Gain as much understanding of the solicitation prior to its release
3. Conduct an in-depth review of the solicitation when released to thoroughly understand all requirements of the solicitation
4. Ensure a dedicated effort in writing and reviewing the proposal
Each institution should already have or must create a committee whose purpose is to identify and define the desired elements in the facility that require security upgrading (aka “target hardening”). It is very important that this committee include the institution’s office manager, head maintenance person and the executive director/Rabbi. To ensure an optimal procedure, Aaron has obtained a commitment from the PA State Police’s Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Team (RVAT) to provide a specially trained RVAT State Trooper member to come to each facility and meet with the institution’s committee to discuss policies and conduct a tour of the interior and exterior of the facility. Later, the RVAT State Trooper will provide a written report that includes options to improve/enhance current security measures and mitigate identified vulnerabilities. These options often come in two general categories: facility security upgrading solutions and improvements to policies, practices and procedures. Both can help “harden” and prepare a facility for adverse incidents. With the defined list of items in hand, the institution needs to obtain information and quotes from vendors and contractors for security and safety items and estimated costs for defined training sessions
Release dates for PCCD and NSGP solicitations are advertised well in advance. The Security Community Network (SCN), an organization emanating from Jewish Federations of North America, provides significant amount of very useful information through webinars and one-to-four-page writeups with details on how to approach the process, what to look for in the solicitation, and an understanding of what the reviewers are seeking in the proposal.
Throughout the process, Aaron, Ilene and the Federation Security Committee will be available to provide direction, review and critique of an institution’s proposal. The objective is to ensure safe and secure facilities for the Lehigh Valley Jewish Community.
