The Charlotte
JEWISH Vol. 43, No. 12
NEWS
Kislev-Tevet 5782
December 2021
Federation Announces Milestone $5,000,000 2022 Annual Campaign Goal By Shira Firestone Each year, Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte’s (JFGC) Annual Campaign is critical to fulfilling its mission as community builder and convener, fundraiser and grantor, and sustainer of Jewish life and Jewish identity for Greater Charlotte and beyond. Each year the community’s generous donations enable Federation to meet the needs that sustain our community. And each year, leadership immediately begins the process of planning for the following year’s campaign. What makes this year different from all other years? JFGC’s 2022 Annual Campaign is a milestone campaign: Three years ago a careful and thorough analysis of growing agency and community needs
made clear the need to grow the Annual Campaign to $5 million. The goal was set, and the threeyear “Road to $5 Million” journey began. The 2022 campaign is the next leg on that three year road. The goal for 2020 was $4.5 million. No one could have predicted that a global crisis would present potential speed bumps along the way to this goal. But rather than seeing these challenges as road blocks, donors recognized the increased needs created by the pandemic and not only gave more than $500,000 to Federation’s Jewish Charlotte Sara Kulbersh, JFGC 2022 Annual Campaign Chair Emergency Response Fund, but also donated to the campaign at to allocate 123 grants to agencies million — the next incremental unprecedented levels, with 1,586 locally, in Israel, and throughout stop on the road to $5 million. donors contributing more than the world. Though some communities ex$4.5 million, enabling Federation The goal for 2021 was $4.75 perienced fatigue, Greater Char-
lotte’s Jewish community came together in typical fashion, but at unprecedented levels. The goal was surpassed, with 1,614 donors contributing nearly $4.8 million to the 2021 Annual Campaign. This brings us to 2022, the milestone year on this journey, with a goal of $5 million. If the last two years have taught us anything, it’s that life can be unpredictable. Sara Kulbersh, 2022 Annual Campaign chair, observed that in the face of unpredictable circumstances, Federation has evolved in how the goals for the campaign are achieved. Multiple new ways for donors to learn about the critical role Federation plays in the community were employed, (Continued on page 3)
Charlotte Jewish Day School Receives $1,000,000 Endowment Toward Tuition Affordability together created the Mariashi Groner Affordability Fund with the goal of making it possible for middle income families to provide a Charlotte Jewish Day School education for their children. Both the Millers and Gorelicks sent their children, who are all now in college or beyond, to CJDS. Their gift actualized their dream that all Jewish children in
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By Gale Osborne It is with great pride and gratitude that the Charlotte Jewish Day School (CJDS) received a $1,000,000 endowment gift, enabling more families in our community to have access to a life-changing Jewish education. During the throes of the pandemic, Risa and David Miller and Stacy and Todd Gorelick,
our community have access to a CJDS education by making an affordable tuition program for all. Tuition is a tremendous burden for many families, particularly when they have two or more children enrolled in school. Families often grapple with trying to save for retirement or for college, and they are trying to be fiscally responsible. In the past, many families would not be able to qualify for a tuition grant as their income exceeded the traditional thresholds set for awarding tuition relief.
In announcing the gift, the Millers and Gorelicks named the fund in honor of school founder, Mariashi Groner. “By naming the fund, The Mariashi Groner Affordability Fund, we want to recognize the dedication and vision of CJDS school founder and director, Mariashi Groner. It is Mariashi’s vision and her belief in teaching the values of Torah and making them relevant for our children that we wanted to honor her this way. Mariashi has made it possible for hundreds of children in our community to become knowl-
edgeable, engaged Jewish adults around the world. Mariashi has been a leader in our community and her dedication and focus on the soul of each child have been a constant for the last forty years in Charlotte. We see how our children and our families have benefitted from the foundation created at CJDS. We believe that this gift of $1,000,000 in an endowment is just a start and will be an inspiration to others in our community who believe (Continued on page 3)
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