UJFT Women’s Cabinet goes to camp TJF Community Impact Grant helps Toras Chaim33

from Jewish News - August 23, 2021

by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater

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JEWISH TIDEWATER

UJFT Women’s Cabinet goes to Camp

Amy Zelenka

The United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Women’s Cabinet, led by co-chairs Barbara Dudley and Mona Flax, kicked-off the 2022 campaign year by going to camp…at the Simon Family JCC. On a beautiful (albeit rather warm) afternoon, members of the Women’s Cabinet mustered up in the Cardo for a terrific summer camp scavenger hunt planned by Dave Flagler, the Simon Family JCC’s new director of camp and teen engagement.

Following clues, learning about Jewish summer camp here in Tidewater and around the world, the women “travelled” from spot to spot around the Simon Family JCC, ending the hunt at the outdoor pool and aquatics center, where they had an opportunity to “see the campers in their natural habitat….” slurping on popsicles and hanging out with their bunkmates.

Returning inside to the welcome of the nicely air-conditioned Kramer Board Room, Cabinet members enjoyed a full camp “Canteen” experience (and lots of throw-back candy and treats to bring sweetness and smiles to the start of a new campaign year). They then met with visiting guest speaker Gary Weinstein. The former executive director of the Dallas (Texas) Jewish Federation and a seasoned Jewish communal professional with more than 40 years of fundraising and community building experience, Weinstein thanked the Cabinet members for caring, for giving, and for volunteering. Most especially, he thanked them for their willingness to ask others for gifts of support on behalf of the Tidewater Jewish community.

Weinstein reminded the group that Tidewater’s Federation is among the top 10% of all Federations in the country (more than 150!) in terms of per capita giving (essentially average gift size) and the number one Federation among likesized (intermediate) communities. From his unique position in the Jewish world (as a traveling speaker, trainer, coach, and consultant), Weinstein visits many communities. He was thrilled to express that Tidewater is incredibly well-respected throughout the nation and that this success is due to the community’s leaders and volunteers, who all give generously and ask others to do the same.

It was a great start to what promises to be an amazing campaign year, with many finally emerging from homes to safely meet one another in person again. As is often the case, Women’s Cabinet was once more “out front” with some of the very first gifts of the new campaign year. The Cabinet challenges the Men’s Division, Young Leadership, and all others to give early and generously in the 2022 Campaign!

Barbara Dudley and Mona Flax, Woman’s Cabinet co-chairs, with Dave Flagler, Simon Family JCC’s, director of camp and teen engagement. Women’s Cabinet members in the Cardo at the Sandler Family Campus prepare for a summer camp scavenger hunt.

Tidewater’s

Federation is among the top 10% of all Federations

in the country.

Amy Zelenka is United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s chief development officer.

JEWISH TIDEWATER Looks Great...Who Did Your Fence?

TJF Community Impact Grant helps Toras Chaim renovate auditorium

Thomas Mills

Tidewater Jewish Foundation awarded a $7,500 Community Impact Grant in March to Toras Chaim to renovate their auditorium.

Serving Tidewater’s Jewish community for almost 20 years, the school has undergone an extensive beautification project. Renovations include painting hallways and classrooms, replacing the roof, waxing the floors, and installing a perimeter fence around the campus. The sweeping renovations at Toras Chaim also addressed one area in dire need of a refit: the school auditorium.

“Before the renovations, our auditorium had a very old, worn look and feel,” says Andie Pollock, Toras Chaim assistant principal. “The floors were scraped. The painted walls were peeling with blotches. We had a fundraising dinner, but instead of using our facilities, we had to rent a tent to accommodate the guests at a huge expense.”

At Toras Chaim, many school activities are based around the auditorium. It’s where students congregate for special activities, community events, and perform for parents and schoolmates.

“An auditorium should be an exciting, bright place to share the success of the students and their school,” says Pollock.

With the Community Impact Grant’s assistance, Toras Chaim created a more inviting space. The auditorium floors were stripped and waxed, the walls were given a fresh coat of paint, and a side storage alcove was enclosed to create a separate room. “An auditorium is the central gathering place of a school,” says Naomi Limor Sedek, president and CEO of Tidewater Jewish Foundation. “We at TJF are looking forward to joining the Toras Chaim community in its ‘new’ living room where the children will have the opportunity to shine and share their knowledge.” Toras Chaim plans to have a Mitzvah Fair, Science Fair, Career Day, Academic Fair, and more in the refurbished auditorium. “We are confident that the auditorium makeover will have an impact for years to come,” says Pollock. “Not just on the building, but on the lives of our children.” For more information on how to support Community Impact Grants, contact Ann Swindell, TJF donor relations and grant manager, at aswindell@ujft.org or 757-965-6106. Renovated auditorium at Toras Chaim. Auditorium prior to renovations. Since 1955