FEDERATION
UPDATE
You give our Jewish community a better future
FALL 2018
MEET AMNON MAGGID He Hopes to ‘Bind Us Together’ with Israel
Your support brings emissaries from Israel, like Amnon, to develop programs in Cincinnati that strengthen our relationship with Israel. Cont’d on page 2
Pictured: Amon Maggid with his wife, Liat
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“ MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE
In the past, the State of Israel was a magnet that helped attract individuals to become part of something bigger. However, it seems more challenging now. From what I have seen, Israel can unfortunately become a dividing element. So the challenge is to strengthen the foundations of our communities and enhance the relationship between them. I truly, deeply believe this endeavor of shlichut [being an emissary] is part of making the world a better place. Liat, my wife, and I have learned that the deepening of the connections inside the Jewish world bind us together.
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MEET AMNON MAGGID
Amnon would love to hear from you. You can reach him at 513-985-1535 or amaggid@jfedcin. org
Your Support is Revitalizing Jewish Life in the Former Soviet Union Our Jewish experiences are different, but our prayers, blessings, and songs bring us together
Jason Cook, a rabbinic student at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, recently traveled to the former Soviet Union. Jason saw firsthand the impact of your overseas dollars in strengthening Jewish communities in the Former Soviet Union.
Upon arriving in Georgia, I spent a great deal of time with Georgian university students and young adults. Our group’s assumption was that we would be meeting with other, like-minded, young Jews with whom we would form immediate bonds. The reality was much different. Simply put, our Jewish experiences are different. One of the Georgians we met grew up not knowing he was Jewish. Others told us about living under the Soviet Union’s oppressive, anti-religious regime.
Though we came from different worlds, spoke different languages, and had different upbringings, we were still able to sing of peace together. It became immediately clear that we would have to work harder to connect and find our shared stories. But when Shabbat services began, at Friday night dinner, we immediately felt at home. We gathered together at the Hillel house. In that moment, our differences did not divide us, but instead gave us a deeper connection.
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A Job I Love in a Place I Love You helped Lauren find a great job so she could come back home When Lauren approached graduation, she turned to Dedra at JVS Career Services, a Federation partner agency, who helped her successfully apply to graduate school. “I was one of a handful of people in my graduating class of 30 to be accepted into a program to become a licensed dietitian,” she said.
“More than anything, they cared about me. Dedra provided that local connection.” After graduating, Dedra helped Lauren get a job in Portland, Oregon, where she was part of Oregon State’s Dietetics Internship program. However, two and a half years later with license in hand, and despite a budding career—something was missing.
Gus Hilb changed Lauren’s life. He established the Hilb Scholarship Fund in 1955 in honor of his parents. The fund has since helped thousands of students overcome the financial challenges of a college education.
She longed for her family and her community. “The second I saw an opening for a Retail Dietician for Kroger, I called Dedra, and she was there!” Dedra helped Lauren freshen her resume, write a compelling cover letter, and feel confident going into her interview—and she landed the job.
THE SCOOP
“Thank you! Your support has been critical to my success.” —Lauren
Shep Englander, Federation CEO (right), talks with experts about protecting our community.
Because of you, JVS Career Services matched Lauren and others with meaningful employment 374 times in 2017.
SAFE Cincinnati, a Federation/Foundation program, is building increased capacity to monitor and assess developing threats to our community. The Federation launched Cincinnati Vine, a website and app to connect Jewish young adults with each other and our community. Over 215 young adults are already active users of Cincinnati Vine. Federation’s partner agency Jewish Family Service introduced StarPoint Home Care, LLC (formerly Cedar Village Private Duty Home Care), to provide non-medical home care services to our older adults. |3
How Will You Be Remembered? Many of our supporters are making a legacy gift through their will, retirement account, or insurance policy. You too can strengthen Jewish life for generations to come. Your kindness will always be remembered. To learn how easy it is to leave a legacy gift, contact Debbie Steinbuch at 513-985-1593 or dsteinbuch@jfedcin.org.
THE IMPACT OF YOUR GIFT
You make Jewish life better, ensuring a bright future for generations to come. Together we are building a vibrant community that helps our most vulnerable, nurtures connections with Israel, and protects and energizes Jewish life.
We Are There for Each Other at Every Stage of Life For many of us, this past year the world around us has felt fractured and polarized. This makes it only more important to have traditions that bring us together and a community that connects us without regard to viewpoints or politics. We are bound by our desire for our children to keep our Jewish traditions and sense of community alive. And by our loving commitment to care for our aging parents. What makes us a community is that we are there for each other at every stage of life. Each new year begs a reflection on the last. As I take a look back, I am struck by how we have transformed our community over the last decade. I’m proud of what we have accomplished together. I am grateful for all the
people, through donations of time and treasure, who make it all happen. And I am ready, even eager, to tackle the new challenges our community will face in the next decade. On behalf of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, l’shana tova. Wishing you and your family a sweet new year.
Shep Englander, CEO
Happy new year from us to you
Coming to your mailbox soon: The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati will match any increase over last year’s gift. 4|
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