FEDERATION IMPACT
Hope and Help for Families
Your Support Allows Families to Grow to the Size of their Dreams
Emma and her husband, Sam (pseudonyms used for privacy), dreamed of growing their family, picturing their daughter with a sibling to play with. But after five years of trying, their dream was still out of reach. The financial, emotional, and physical toll of repeated fertility treatments weighed heavily on them, especially Emma. “We felt so alone,” Emma shared.
Everything changed when Emma discovered the Jewish Fertility Foundation (JFF-CINCY) through a flyer at her clinic. With JFF-CINCY’s grant program, Emma and Sam received financial assistance that made their next treatment possible. Even more transformative was the Fertility Buddy program, connecting Emma with Rachel, a mentor who had faced similar struggles. “Rachel’s support was a lifeline,” Emma said. “Having someone who truly understood made all the difference.”
Programs supported by the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, including JFF-CINCY and Cincinnati
Jewish Interest Free Loans, provided Emma’s family with financial relief and emotional empowerment.
Today, Emma is the proud mother of two daughters, one of whom she calls her “miracle baby.” Her journey is a testament to the power of community, resilience, and hope. The need for this support continues to grow—requests for fertility grants from community members have increased 74% since last year. Through Federation, programs like JFF-CINCY ensure families never face these challenges alone.
support helps families like Emma’s discover grants, guidance, and
You Help Protect Our Community from Hate
Providing Safety When Needed the Most
Chaya (a pseudonym) always felt safe and welcome in Cincinnati—until one unsettling day outside the Blue Ash Kroger. As she approached the store, proudly wearing her Star of David necklace, a man spat at her.
Shaken and frightened, Chaya questioned the safety and security she once took for granted.
Unsure of how to respond, Chaya turned to our public affairs arm, the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC). The JCRC quickly provided guidance on reporting the incident and offered her emotional support. Chaya shared, “Having someone listen, understand, and take action made me feel safe again.”
Our JCRC not only supports community members like Chaya but also strengthens our collective resilience through education, advocacy, and partnerships with local civic, religious, and community leaders to combat antisemitism and hate. In 2024 alone, there were 87 reported antisemitic incidents locally. The JCRC follows up on each report, providing support, resources, and advocacy to affected individuals and families.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the JCRC continues to foster a safer, more inclusive Cincinnati— ensuring individuals like Chaya can live securely and proudly in their Jewish identities.
Our JCRC helped after Chaya became a victim of hate. Image for illustrative purposes only; the individual pictured is not the subject of the story.
Your
hope through the Jewish Fertility Foundation. Image for illustrative purposes only; the individual pictured is not the subject of the story.
Celebrating 25 Years of Transforming Lives Through Jewish Journeys
Your Support Creates Lasting Connections
Ariel Weiss’s connection to Israel began long before she boarded a plane. Growing up in a Cincinnati family with deep ties to Israel, Ariel always felt a connection to her Jewish identity. Inspired by cousins who had made Aliyah, she knew she wanted to build her own relationship with the land and its people.
That dream became reality in 2001, when Ariel joined her peers on a journey to Israel. “That trip transformed me,” Ariel shared. “It solidified my Jewish identity and deepened my love for Israel.” Years later, Ariel returned to Israel for a gap year, again with support from Cincy Journeys—a decision that changed the trajectory of her life.
Cincy Journeys, a program administered by the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati and funded in partnership with the Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati, empowers
IN BRIEF...
Each month, women from our Women’s Philanthropy program, HelpingonChai , volunteer with local nonprofits. Recently, they sorted supplies for students at Crayons to Computers.
local Jewish children, teens, and young adults by providing non-need-based grants for overnight Jewish camps and trips to Israel and beyond. Since its inception, the program has awarded over 5,600 grants, ensuring that our young people can participate in life-changing experiences like Ariel’s, strengthening their Jewish identity and deepening their connection to Israel.
Today, Ariel works for Birthright Israel Foundation, which partners with the Federation to bring Israel mission opportunities to our community. “Cincy Journeys gave me this gift,” Ariel said. “And now I’m helping others receive it too.”
We take immense pride in using every dollar efficiently, with 87 cents of every dollar going to impactful programs. Our four-star Charity Navigator rating reflects this commitment.
Israel in Your Living Room: Host gatherings to discuss Israel’s challenges with facilitators and hear first-hand insights from senior leaders recently back from an Israel leadership mission. Get the conversations going at jewishcincinnati.org/talk.
Strengthening Community Security: This year, we tripled our investment in SAFE Cincinnati, providing resources to strengthen security at Jewish spaces and foster preparedness.
Empowering Local Leaders: This year’s JCRC’s Cohen Family Leaders in Light Institute equipped 19 community members—including civic, religious, and secular leaders—with tools to counter hate and build resilience. One participant shared, “The program gave me confidence and skills to advocate for change within my community.”
Build A Sturdy Foundation with Us
Dear friends,
How do we create lasting change? It takes people like you, whose generosity of time, heart, and resources makes a tangible difference. A story about the impact of that difference, is the group of Israeli teens who found hope at Camp Livingston this past summer. Freed from the chaos of war, they kayaked, laughed, and built lifelong friendships. As Reem, one camper, shared: “It was so fun, and I wished it had lasted even longer!” Moments like this are possible because of you—reminders of how your giving spirit brings hope to those who need it most.
I often describe our work as being built on a sturdy, three-legged stool. What are the three legs? Annual Campaign, Directed Giving, and Legacy Giving. Together, these keep our community strong, addressing immediate needs while building a foundation for our future. Because of your generosity, we funded life-changing initiatives, enabling vital programs and services that touched over 2.2 million lives globally. How did we do this? Our Annual Campaign reached milestones earlier than ever—a testament to your commitment. Directed Giving exceeded expectations, providing
additional critical support for our community partners. The Israel Emergency Fund transformed our ability to respond to urgent needs in Israel, helping a diverse group of Israelis, in our commitment to fostering a shared society. But the need remains.
Looking ahead, we hope the year to come will be as successful as the last—but we can’t do it without you. As we head into 2025, we want to have more conversations with you to align your giving, interests and values with the priorities of the community here, in Israel, and around the world. Our team is excited to meet with you, building deeper connections, and helping you help others.
Thank you for being the heart of everything we do.
David Harris Chief Development Officer Jewish Federation of Cincinnati