FEDERATION IMPACT
“A Rest from the Chaos”
You give Israeli kids a respite from war
“I jumped on the opportunity,” said Reem, discussing the chance to come to Cincinnati and attend Camp Livingston, our community camp. The 13-year-old from Netanya, Israel, loved it: “My favorite was kayaking.”
Reem was here because you cared. Our Jewish community was—and is—concerned about the effects of the war on Israeli teens. Cincinnati has had a long history of connections with Netanya. Separately, in April, the Federation began a three-year commitment to Kibbutz Carmia, located only three miles from Gaza. So we acted.
On July 10, twenty campers, eleven from Netanya and nine from Kibbutz Carmia, went to camp for ten days. The campers also spent three days with host families, culminating in a trip to Kings Island.
Reem said, “I loved the lake. I wished we went four weeks!”
Asked about her American cabinmates, Keran, 12, said, “It was really fun to get to know each other, be together.”
Native Cincinnatian David Gershuny, an organizer and co-funder, explained: “For some, their siblings or parents are in the IDF, or they have been displaced from their homes for nine months. It’s very difficult and at times traumatic; but this trip is giving them true relief, a rest from the chaos.”
After Loss of Husband and Son, a Difficult Journey
You Helped Anna Move from Depression to a Balanced Life
Thanks to you, Anna is smiling again.
It was a very bad year. At 83 years old, “Anna” (identity changed for privacy), lost her husband to a heart attack. Four months later, she was diagnosed with a chronic neurological disorder. She moved in with her son in Sharonville, only to have him diagnosed with terminal cancer and pass away before the year was over.
Her rabbi recommended Jewish Family Service—which is funded by you. Her counselor, Melissa, saw that Anna was suffering from severe depression and anxiety. “I feel stuck; I have let myself down,” said Anna.
Together, Anna and Melissa set goals for healthy grieving of her losses, reducing her anxiety, and adapting to her new circumstances and health diagnosis.
After seven months of consistent therapy, Anna gained better coping skills, set healthier boundaries with needy family members, and rediscovered her problem-solving skills. She decided to move back to her home in Indiana, where she had an abundance of support.
“Therapy helped me focus on what is best for me,” said Anna.
The Israeli teens enjoyed the full Kings Island experience: excessive junk food and wild roller coasters all day long.
You Help Those with Neurodivergence Thrive
You gave Jared stability and pride in his work
“I love my job now,” says Jared. A Jewish man from Cincinnati, Jared had never been able to hold down a job for more than six months at a time.
Then you helped Jared by supporting JVS Careers’ Employment Disability Services.
Jared would pick jobs that weren’t the best matches for him, explained Chrissy Perkins, JVS Careers Program Manager and Career Coach. “He was also let go from several jobs due to becoming frustrated on the job and having an anger outburst. His employers did not understand this behavior.”
After exploring career options and interests, Chrissy continued to meet with Jared, who identifies as neurodivergent, to work on developing appropriate
IN BRIEF...
As part of the Jewish Cincinnati Bicentennial, we joined ArtWorks to create “Let There Be Light,” a downtown mural. Participants include volunteers and summer apprentices from the Jewish community; the dedication will be in October.
coping skills that would help him manage his emotions more successfully.
Jared rose to the challenge, and with Chrissy’s help found a job as a kitting specialist— someone who receives an order, picks the products, assembles, packs, and then ships a kit. She continued to coach him to help him find his footing.
“Jared is a true success story, I’m so proud of his hard work,” said Chrissy. He has now been at his job with Easterseals Redwood for a year and a half and has been promoted twice. He is currently the Supervisor of Shipping and Receiving.
The Jewish Federation supports Cincinnati 2030, our community’s vision based around caring, engagement, the wider world, and communal health and resiliency.
We say l’hitraot (“see you again”) to those Israeli emissaries who are ending their time with us. A huge thank you to Yarden Neeman, Senior Shaliach or Emissary, and our Chaverot or Friends from Israel, Shaked Vatavu and Shiri Avisar. You supported their work strengthening our connections with Israel.
And we welcome our new Israeli emissaries: our new Senior Emissary, Tzach Shmuely, from Kibbutz Kfar Hanassi, and his wife Efrat and three children; and our new Friends from Israel, or Chaverim, Naama and Ron.
This spring, your support allowed us to contribute to the Cincinnati Public School Board’s recent adoption of policies protecting CPS students from identity-based hate.
Jared now loves his job and has been promoted twice.
“It’s Too Important to Wait”
Dear friends,
“It’s too important to wait,” said Les Sandler, his voice urgent. His words rang true to us, the Israel Emergency Fund Allocations Committee, as we sat reviewing prospective projects for our Cincinnati community to support.
In the northern Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona, we’d just learned, residents were forced to evacuate their homes due to Hezbollah’s attacks in the wake of October 7. These families are enduring unimaginable hardship, including many months of dislocation in hotels or with relatives, dispersed widely across Israel. The youth are particularly affected, desperate to see their friends and struggling to maintain the social connections vital for their mental health. Additionally, in Israel, the bonds between high school students will be part of the support network they need when they graduate and begin their service in the IDF (Israel Defense Forces).
Understanding the ongoing losses and the importance of these bonds, community organizers developed a plan to bring the scattered youth of Kiryat Shmona together through summer camps and ongoing programs.
At this point, Les and his wife Renee made an extraordinary impact. Already generous contributors to the Israel Emergency Fund, they recognized the urgency for these displaced young people, knowing the profound impact this program would have.
In that room that day, I could see the determination on Les’s face. He and Renee immediately made the commitment to fully fund the program, allowing all the young people from Kiryat Shmona to find joy and rebuild the fabric of their lives.
I’m emotional every time I think about this gift. I’m inspired to find ways to do more. Thank you to everyone who has stepped up this past year—you make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most.
With heartfelt gratitude,
David Harris Chief Development Officer Jewish Federation of Cincinnati