IT’S A WRAP
Donors and philanthropic accomplishments celebrated at 2022 Simon Family Legacy Celebration together as a community and celebrate Jewish Tidewater’s incredible philanidewater Jewish Foundation celethropic accomplishments,” says Naomi brated donors, community milestones, Limor Sedek, president and CEO of and philanthropic accomplishments at the Tidewater Jewish Foundation. “This com2022 Simon Family Legacy Celebration munity has given so much, especially over on Sunday, May 17 at the Sandler Family the past year, so it was important to thank Campus. The first in-person event in and celebrate with people in person.” three years, the celebration highlighted Central to the remarks was the comthe continued success of the LIFE & munity’s continued support of Ukraine. LEGACY program, new initiatives such Since the start of the Russian invasion as the Jewish Future Pledge, and the earlier this year, more than $340,000 wide-reaching impact TJF donors had has been donated to emergency support over the past few years. and relief. Many donors, who utilized “It was so amazing to finally come their TJF donor advised funds, gave more than $240,000 directly to United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Ukraine Emergency Fund, which has supported agencies and organizations such as the American Jew ish Joint Distribution Committee ( JDC), the Jewish Agency for Israel ( JAFI), and others that are TJF President and CEO Naomi Limor Sedek, Sara Jo Rubin, and Ann Swindell, on the ground every TJF donor relations and grants manager day. An additional $200,000 match from an anonymous donor for gifts to support the UJFT Ukraine Emergency Fund will continue to support JDC and JAFI and other organizations including United Hatzalah. “Watching our community support our brothers and sisters in Ukraine has been inspirRobert Bloch speaks to Jody Wagner. ing,” says Sedek. “It highlights how, no Thomas Mills
T
LIFE & LEGACY representatives from participating organizations are recognized.
matter where we are in the world, Jews take care of each other. Donor advised fund holders are encouraged to continue to respond and organizations on the ground are spending a million dollars a day supporting critical care for the refugees and those unable to leave.” Additionally, at the event, TJF unveiled its revamped Book of Life website, which features a new interface, updated graphics, mobile responsiveness, and quality of life features that will make it easier to update names, dates, and information. “Our revamped Book of Life website is a long-term investment for the Tidewater Jewish community,” says Sedek. “This revamp will make it easier to see and navigate existing entries and entice individuals Kim Simon Fink. to share their legacy
stories when they join our Book of Life.” To view TJF’s revamped Book of Life, visit bit.ly/tjf-book-of-life. For more information on how you can achieve your philanthropic goals with TJF, contact Naomi Limor Sedek at nsedek@ujft.org or 757-965-6109. Photography by David Hollingsworth
jewishnewsva.org | May 23, 2022 | JEWISH NEWS | 29
