Signature Initiatives
As a dynamic and versatile organization, we are adapting to the changing needs and desires of our constituents and donors. We wish to make philanthropic dreams become a reality and we work with our donors to ensure that individual special interests are matched with the needs of our community through Signature Giving opportunities. Jewish tradition teaches that one of our key duties is to make the world a better place for future generations.
This year's six opportunities are:
OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT
PJ Library®
PJ Library® is an innovative program for children ages 6 months to 7 years. Children registered in the program receive free, age-appropriate books with Jewish content in the mail every month. Today, we have approximately 2,400 children enrolled in the East Bay PJ Library® program.
EastBayJews
EastBayJews is a diverse community of Jewish young adults. EastBayJews creates and supports innovative opportunities for engagement, philanthropy, and leadership. Through signature programming and collaborative efforts, EastBayJews endeavors to build a vibrant and inclusive Jewish East Bay.
Birthright Israel
Taglit-Birthright Israel was born of a bold vision to make an educational trip to Israel an integral part of the life of every young Jew, in an effort to generate a profound transformation in contemporary Jewish culture and a connection between Israelis and their peers in the Diaspora.
CARING COMMUNITY/ELDER SUPPORT SERVICES
Holocaust Survivor Services
Through Federation's support of the Jewish Family & Children's Services of the East Bay Holocaust Survivor Assistance Fund, Holocaust survivors who fear premature and unwanted institutionalization and who are without the means to care for themselves receive the home care assistance they require as they become older and more fragile.
ISRAEL AND OVERSEAS
Akko Kibbutz
The Dror Israel movement directs the Akko Kibbutz where educators work with disenfranchised youth through innovative co-existence based programs. The Kibbutz is also a center for the development of educational tools, conducting seminars and field days for youth guides and providing training and development, both for the educators who reside in the Kibbutz and other guides who work on similar projects in the region.
Completing The Journey
The Government of Israel recently announced its intention to bring to Israel the remaining Ethiopians claiming Jewish ancestry (Falas Mura) and seeking to make aliyah, in order to reunite them with family members already living in Israel. The emigration to Israel, of up to 6,500 Ethiopians currently living in Gondar, will take place over the next two years. The Jewish Agency has turned to the North American Jewish Federation movement to help secure the $7.5 million required to manage the Gondar compound for three years.
Thanks to the past generosity of Federation donors, the Federation movement has been able to participate from the very beginning in an immigration effort that brought a unique group of people to take their place in the global Jewish community and help build the State of Israel.
We have an opportunity today to complete the task of bringing the remaining Falas Mura to Israel and to fulfill the dream of thousands of individuals who want to join us in this historic endeavor.