Civic Engagement Civic Engagement FACTS & FIGURES IMPACT 40 Help ensure the engagement of the Jewish community with elected Local, state and federal elected officials officials, public servants, and political candidates in the American and who have partnered with or been Israeli governments in order to build government support for Jewish lobbied by the CRC in the past year community needs. $2 million GOAL Value of the memorandum of Increase the Jewish community’s voter turnout at each election; understanding involving the business demonstrate the Jewish community’s political influence and relevance to communities in Pittsburgh and Israel, the Greater Pittsburgh community; and engage the Jewish Federation as a result of CRC efforts with federal, state, and local public servants, as well as representatives of the Israeli government. 7 HOW IS THIS GOAL MET Elected officials, Democrats and Republicans, who participated in a The Jewish Federation Community Relations Council (CRC): legislators’ mission to Israel in January; Held regular meetings with federal, state, and local elected the mission was sponsored by the CRC officials and candidates, to advocate on behalf of the Jewish of the Jewish Federation of Greater community Pittsburgh, the Jewish Federation of Organized a state legislators’ mission to Israel in partnership with Greater Philadelphia, and the the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition, to educate elected officials about Israeli life and culture as well as about anti-Semitism domestically and abroad Conducted a tour of the Tree of Life synagogue building for 15 state legislators and staffers , to educate tour participants about the security needs of the Jewish community Participated in several trips to Harrisburg and Washington, D.C., to speak to key legislators about Jewish communal security, anti- Semitism, and the prevention of hate crimes and gun violence Organized a trip to Harrisburg for family members of the victims of the Oct. 27 shooting, as well as Jewish community leadership; participants met with state legislators and were honored in a joint session on the floor of the State House of Representatives 48
Catholic-Jewish Education Enrichment Program Catholic-Jewish Education Enrichment Program FACTS & FIGURES IMPACT 3,500 Decrease stereotyping, anti-Semitism and bigotry among youth in Greater Students who receive C-JEEP Pittsburgh. instruction during a school year GOAL 200-300 Increase Catholic students’ understanding and appreciation of Judaism by Hours of C-JEEP instruction during a offering C-JEEP, comprising instructional lectures, experiential activities, school year field trips to Jewish sites, personal stories, and question-and-answer sessions that connect with classroom curriculum. 18 HOW IS THIS GOAL MET Years of C-JEEP instruction The Jewish Federation Community Relations Council (CRC): 11 Established, with the Catholic Diocese, an enrichment curriculum that focuses on roots and values common to Catholicism and Catholic high schools that participate in Judaism C-JEEP Coordinated sessions in which nine local Jewish educators taught in 11 Catholic high schools; Jewish educators taught about Jewish history and ethics, the roots of anti-Semitism, and the significance of Israeli statehood Connected Jewish educators to Catholic students and faculty, creating relationships that extend beyond teaching sessions Hosted an annual educators retreat, where Jewish educators and Catholic school teachers shared best practices and brainstormed ideas for future teaching sessions 49
Diversity and Inclusion Diversity and Inclusion FACTS & FIGURES IMPACT 75+ Help make Southwestern Pennsylvania a more diverse community that is Community members who attended a welcoming to people of all backgrounds. gathering of the Jewish and Sikh communities GOAL $600,000+ Engage with diverse members of the Jewish and non-Jewish communities to create opportunities for programming about inclusion and diversity Raised for the New Zealand Muslim related to race, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity. community after shootings at 2 mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand HOW IS THIS GOAL MET 17 In 2018-19, the Jewish Federation Community Relations Council (CRC) advanced a variety of initiatives relating to diversity and inclusion. The Projects funded through the CRC’s CRC: Urban Affairs Foundation, to strengthen diverse communities in the Consulted throughout the year with the Federation’s LGBTQIA+ Pittsburgh region advisory committee, which is tasked with helping the Jewish Federation create a more inclusive culture Helped several members of the Jewish LGBTQ+ community take positions of leadership Chaired the Civil Rights and Community Services Committee of the city’s Welcoming Pittsburgh Steering Committee Fostered new relationships with dozens of leaders from diverse communities, including the Muslim and Sikh communities Created the Young Leaders CRC, which is tasked with improving diversity and inclusion within and outside the Jewish community Partnered with the nonprofit Vibrant Pittsburgh to provide seed funding to 13 diverse organizations that will launch unique projects to meet needs in their communities 50
Combating Anti- Semitism and Supporting Israel Combating Anti-Semitism and Supporting Israel FACTS & FIGURES IMPACT 12+ Improve the effectiveness of actions against anti-Semitism and anti-Israel Anti-Semitism cases in which the CRC is sentiment in Southwestern Pennsylvania. involved annually GOAL 1500+ Create a network of resistance against anti-Semitism and anti-Israel People in Greater Pittsburgh who have activity by supporting individual efforts, conducting community trainings, participated in CRC education programs and engaging with elected officials and other allies. about anti-Semitism and hate HOW IS THIS GOAL MET 300+ In 2018–19 the Jewish Federation Community Relations Council: College students empowered, through Responded to more than a dozen individual cases of anti- CRC’s partnership with The Edward and Semitism Rose Berman Hillel Jewish University Participated in several communitywide panel discussions about Center, to strengthen the pro-Israel anti-Semitism, including the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s environment on Pittsburgh-area “Community Conversation: Anti-Semitism in America” and campuses Duquesne University’s “A Symposium on Anti-Semitism and the First Amendment” Supported hundreds of college students in their efforts to create a more informed and pro-Israel culture on their campuses Engaged with the consul general of Israel throughout the year, to relay the Pittsburgh Jewish community’s perspective on Israeli affairs Lobbied dozens of federal, state, and local elected officials, urging support of stronger legislation to combat anti-Semitism Urged the White House to appoint a special envoy to monitor and to combat anti-Semitism, to increase funding for Jewish communal security, and to support civil rights Held several community-wide education programs that focused on combatting anti-Semitism and/or supporting Israel Worked closely with national organizations, including the Israel Action Network, Jewish Federations of North America, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, and the Anti-Defamation League 51
-- This Page Intentionally Left Blank -- 52
J-Funds ISRAEL AND OVERSEAS 53
-- This Page Intentionally Left Blank -- J-Funds 54
PRIORITIES: ISRAEL AND OVERSEAS GLOBAL JEWISH CHALLENGES Addressing the social service needs of impoverished Jews around the world, including in Declining commitment to Israel among young Israel and the former Soviet Union Western Jews — intensified by the de- legitimization of Israel and the boycott, WHY WE CARE divestiture and sanctions (BDS) movement, especially on college campuses Kol yisrael arevim zeh la’zeh: All the People of Israel are responsible one for the other. An increasingly anti-Israel progressive movement According to the 2018 report by the Israel Central Distancing of global Jewry from Zionism and the Bureau of Statistics, in Israel 21.2% of adults and 29.6% of children live below the poverty line. We concept of social responsibility as a community have a responsibility to come to the aid of Jews around the world less fortunate Lack of awareness amongst Israelis of the many than us. faces of Diaspora Jewry According to the Jewish Federation’s 2017 Growing social and religious gaps in Israel, Pittsburgh Jewish Community Study, 38% of threatening Israeli society and alienating many Jewish adults feel only a little connected or not at who value pluralism and inclusiveness in the all connected to Israel. We believe that forming Jewish homeland deep and meaningful connections to Israel can increase this number significantly. At-risk Jews, living in uncertain circumstances in unstable regions and facing rising anti-Semitism, Increasing the Pittsburgh community’s who are in need of humanitarian aid and rescue connection to the worldwide Jewish community will increase Jewish Pittsburghers’ Jewish identity A weakening sense of Jewish belonging among and support Jewish continuity in Pittsburgh. young adults, resulting in alarming levels of assimilation worldwide PRIORITIES ISRAEL AND OVERSEAS FUNDING The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh is committed COMMITTEE to: The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Israel and Ensuring that Pittsburgh Jewish community Overseas Funding Committee is proud to support a wide members have a strong personal connection to variety of nongovernmental organizations in Israel and Israel and a shared sense of Jewish peoplehood, the former Soviet Union. These organizations address both locally and globally needs relating to food and human security, Ethiopian community, special-needs populations, at-risk youth, 55
economic development, Jewish education, and shared society. OUR PARTNERS Through collective giving, the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh joins other Jewish Federations to support shared goals relating to needs in Israel and overseas by funding two international organizations: the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC). The Jewish Agency for Israel JAFI, operating in almost 80 countries, is the Jewish world’s first responder; it addresses emergencies in Israel and rescues Jews in countries where they are at risk. JAFI works to sustain and strengthen Israel’s social and economic fabric, serves as the primary vehicle by which Jews make aliyah (immigrate) to Israel, and brings Jews together in support of Israel and Jewish peoplehood. In 2018-19, the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh provided nearly $1.65 million to support JAFI. As the needs for world Jewish education evolve, JAFI is focusing on four major strategic objectives: Diaspora-to-Israel connection Israeli-to-Diaspora connection Aliyah and integration Social action JAFI is working to counteract the widening social gaps in Israel, and JAFI continues to play a vital role in the Israeli government by serving as the government’s official link to Jews of the Diaspora. The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee The JDC sponsors programs of rescue, relief and renewal around the globe. This year, the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh raised over $1.5 million to support the JDC’s work. The JDC: Provides life-sustaining assistance to more than 100,000 impoverished Jews in the former Soviet Union, Central and Eastern Europe, and elsewhere Helps to rebuild communities worldwide, renewing a sense of Jewish heritage in communities where Judaism had all but disappeared Helps the most vulnerable in Israel by improving the quality of services available to them STRATEGIES Through the Israel and Overseas Commission, the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh works to address priorities relating to Jews in Israel and overseas by: Providing core operating support to two overseas partners: JAFI and the JDC Providing direct financial support to overseas programs proven to be impactful Building one-on-one relationships between members of Pittsburgh’s Jewish community and Jews around the world, with emphasis on relationships through Pittsburgh’s Partnership2Gether regions (Karmiel/Misgav, in Israel, and Warsaw, Poland) Building connection to Israel through travel and education, with an emphasis on engaging activities for teens and young adults Developing Pittsburgh community leadership Engaging Pittsburgh community leadership with Israel Raising general awareness and funds to meet the social service needs of impoverished Jews around the world 56
Partnership 2JG-Feutnhdesr Partnership2Gether FACTS & FIGURES IMPACT 180 Build strong, vibrant, connected Jewish communities with Israel at their core Parents of Diller teens, Diller alumni and community GOAL leaders engaged in creative programming for Diller Engage members of Pittsburgh’s Jewish community in programs that foster parents and alumni meaningful relationships with Jews in Israel and in Warsaw, Poland. 5 HOW IS THIS GOAL MET Waldman International Arts Partnership2Gether helps Jews in partnered regions participate in cultural, and Writing winners from educational and social exchange. Pittsburgh’s partner regions are Karmiel Karmiel/Misgav visited 7 and the region of Misgav in Israel, and, new this year, Warsaw, Poland. Greater Pittsburgh schools In 2018-19, Partnership2Gether in Pittsburgh emphasized strategic planning. 10 As a result, the program has a new vision and mission. Steering Committee The Jewish Federation recruited six new Steering Committee members and members from project champions. Four representatives from Warsaw and the chief rabbi of Karmiel/Misgav engaged in Poland came to Karmiel/Misgav in June 2019. The Polish team will be in Pittsburgh with their Pittsburgh in December 2019. Pittsburgh counterparts In April, local participants in the Diller Teen Fellows program hosted the 4 Israeli Diller cohort. Partnership2Gether offered five programs for 180 current and past Diller alumni and parents. One program brought together Focus groups conducted — alumni from all 10 cohorts, a total of 60 Fellows. with staff, past chairs, young adults and host families — to In 2018-19, three key delegations traveled to Pittsburgh: guide strategic planning In December, the Steering Committee Delegation, comprising 10 people — including two new young adults from Karmiel/Misgav, 180 who will co-chair adult kesher (connections), and a past Partnership2Gether co-chair from Misgav. Respondents — 80 in In April, Pittsburgh’s Diller Teen Fellows Cohort 10 visited Pittsburgh and 100 in Karmiel/Misgav for 10 days to participate in the community mifgash Karmiel/Misgav — who (educational meeting of Israeli and Diaspora Jews). completed surveys to inform In April/May, five winners of the Waldman International Arts and strategic planning Writing Competition from Karmiel/Misgav shared their work in Pittsburgh-area schools. Many of the American students had never met a Jewish person, let alone an Israeli. 57
-- This Page Intentionally Left Blank -- 58
J-Funds JEWISH LIFE AND LEARNING 59
-- This Page Intentionally Left Blank -- J-Funds 60
PRIORITIES: JEWISH LIFE AND LEARNING PRIORITIES WHY WE CARE The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh is committed Jewish identity is built and strengthened through to sustaining a vibrant Jewish community with an lifelong Jewish learning and experiences. abundance of opportunities that meaningfully engage people of all ages and backgrounds in Jewish life. Of Jewish children in Greater Pittsburgh, 55% do not Through the Jewish Life and Learning Department, the receive formal Jewish education; therefore, Jewish Federation creates and enhances Jewish learning innovative approaches both within and outside and experiences across all spectrums of the community, formal education must be supported. through formal and informal education. This means: Ensuring abundant, high-quality Jewish programs in Day school tuition and government funding do not cover the costs of educating day school students; the community. therefore, the Jewish Federation plays a vital role in Supporting quality Jewish life and learning sustaining Jewish day schools. opportunities within and beyond agencies Only 3% of young adults ages 18-35 are members of Supporting the professional development of Jewish brick-and-mortar synagogues; therefore, young adults must be reached in new ways. educators by offering national resources and building local professional networks. Organizations must offer quality programs and provide Engaging minimally connected Jews in their 20s and meaningful engagement opportunities to both new 30s with Jewish depth and substance members and those involved for decades. In addition, Nurturing new, diverse Jewish learning and new and diverse programs outside established experiences for adults institutions are key factors in reaching a wide spectrum of Jews. The more individuals and families are engaged with Jewish life, the healthier and more vibrant our community is. 61
OUR PARTNERS STRATEGIES Five agencies that benefit from support from the Jewish The Jewish Federation, through the leadership of the Federation’s Community Campaign form the core of the Jewish Life and Learning Department, is working to Jewish Federation’s work to enhance and sustain Jewish address priorities relating to Jewish life and education by: life and learning: Providing operating support to five beneficiary The Jewish Community Center of Greater agencies — the JCC, Hillel JUC, Yeshiva Schools, Pittsburgh (JCC) works to strengthen the Community Day School and Hillel Academy — physical, intellectual, and spiritual well-being of and working as a planning partner with those individuals and families by serving as a gateway agencies to help build a thriving, vibrant and for people of all backgrounds, means, and engaged Jewish community abilities to experience the richness of Jewish tradition and community in a warm, supportive Convening organizations to engage specific environment. demographics and address specific priorities The Edward and Rose Berman Hillel Jewish Strengthening skills and building capacity, University Center of Pittsburgh (Hillel JUC) serves among Jewish communal professionals, to approximately 2,200 students at the University of engage more participants in Jewish life Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, Duquesne University, and other area universities. Supporting, celebrating, and improving the By serving undergraduates and graduate students quality of existing Jewish life and learning ages 18-29, Hillel JUC acts as a hub of Jewish life systems for Pittsburgh’s growing university community. Catalyzing new initiatives involving diverse Community Day School is a pluralistic day school models of Jewish life and learning serving 299 students ages 3 through grade 12. Hillel Academy is an Orthodox day school with 396 students, infants through grade 12. Yeshiva Schools are Chabad day schools serving 439 students, infants through grade 12. The Jewish Federation also supports a range of organizations and programs that enhance Pittsburgh’s Jewish community and education. These include part- time religious schools; synagogue learning programs; youth groups, such as BBYO, Bnei Akiva, NFTY, USY, Young Judea, and NCSY; campus programs, such as Chabad on Campus, Chabad of CMU, and Penn State Hillel; Poale Zedeck’s Special Needs Education Program; and the Kollel Jewish Learning Center. 62
Centennial Fund for a Jewish Future (CFJF) Centennial Fund for a Jewish Future (CFJF) FACTS & FIGURES IMPACT $24.3 million Help ensure a strong and vital Jewish community in Pittsburgh for future In total commitments to the Centennial generations. Fund for a Jewish Future GOAL $758,947 Advance the quality of and access to programs that support Jewish In 2019, CFJF awarded grants totaling continuity, especially programs relating to Jewish education, teens and $758,947 in support of projects such as: camping and Israel travel. Federation PJ Library Ambassadors HOW IS THIS GOAL MET ($57,000) Honeymoon Israel ($70,000) CFJF makes investments in high-quality, proven strategies that develop Onward Israel Pittsburgh Cohort Jewish identity by complementing Jewish Federation Community Campaign funding and by providing seed money through the grant- (81,533) making process of the Jewish Community Foundation. IACT/Israel Engagement CFJF, a fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of the Jewish Coordinator at Hillel JUC ($30,000) Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, invests in the future of Jewish Pittsburgh by: Offering incentives to encourage Jews to make Jewish choices. Such incentives, provided directly to individuals or families, also “reward” those who would have made Jewish choices anyway. Incentives improve affordability without financial need as a selection criterion. Transformative programs proven effective at deepening Jewish engagement at important points in the development of Jewish identity. CFJF investment, which may be long-term, may go to proven existing programs or to pilot new program ideas based on sound research. The CFJF board meets at least once yearly to hear project pitches, discuss project impact, and make funding decisions. 63
Excellence in Jewish Early Childhood Education Excellence in Jewish Early Childhood Education FACTS & FIGURES IMPACT 260 Broaden the scope of excellence in Jewish ECE in Greater Pittsburgh. Educators who attended 4 professional development seminars GOAL 404 Provide meaningful, collaborative learning opportunities for the nine Jewish Early Education Initiative (JECEI)/Bonim Beyachad centers.* Hours of consulting that strengthened the programs at the 9 ECE centers HOW IS THIS GOAL MET 14 For the first time, all nine Pittsburgh JECEI/Bonim Beyachad centers collaborated to sponsor one booth at the Jewish Federation’s annual Hours of mentoring that helped leaders Apples & Honey Fall Festival. The Early Childhood Studio Educator Cohort help children cope with community recommended activities, inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach. violence. Studio educators are teachers who help students use authentic materials 9 to bring ideas to life through art. For the second year, studio educators met on a regular basis. Self-assessment teams that received training to serve Pittsburgh Teams from the four Pittsburgh JECEI/Bonim Beyachad centers offered JECEI/Bonim Beyachad ECE centers professional development to local Jewish early childhood educators, under the theme of \"viewing the Reggio Emilia approach through a Jewish * Participating ECE centers in Pittsburgh lens.” are: Pittsburgh JECEI/Bonim Beyachad consultants visited the nine Pittsburgh ECE centers. The consultants focused on excellence, Jewish living and learning, and shared leadership. The Federation’s ECE director: Collaborated with Trying Together to create a course for Pittsburgh ECE directors to help children cope with community violence. Partnered with the nine Pittsburgh ECE centers to produce graphics that chronicle Pittsburgh’s JECEI/Bonim Beyachad initiatives. Each center received two graphics for display. Helped the nine centers transition from an outside assessor, Dr. Roberta Goodman, conduct annual assessments to a sustainable self-assessment model. 64
Teen Learning and Engagement Teen Learning and Engagement FACTS & FIGURES IMPACT 783 Use best practices to increase and deepen Jewish teen engagement. Jewish teens enrolled in programming through the JCC’s Department of GOAL Jewish Life/The Second Floor — an increase of 39% in the past year Measure the impact of current teen programming. 53% HOW IS THIS GOAL MET Percentage of teens for whom all teen The Jewish Federation’s Jewish Life and Learning Department partners engagement takes place through the with the Teen Division of the Department of Jewish Life at the Jewish JCC’s Second Floor programming Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh (JCC), which facilitates experiences designed to result in the 14 outcomes that follow. Jewish 39% teens: Percentage of teens in the Pittsburgh Increase their sense of self Jewish community now reached by the Are proud of being Jewish JCC’s Department of Jewish Life Have experienced challenging and valuable learning Have learned ways to be more active in Jewish communities 1,123 Have positive experiences of Jewish holidays and Shabbat Establish strong friendships Teens engaged in Jewish teen Have strong, healthy relationships with their families experiences somewhere in the Have significant relationships with mentors, role models, and community, of a total of roughly 2,000 teens in Greater Pittsburgh educators Can express their values and ethics in relation to Jewish principles and wisdom Command skills and language that allow them to grapple with and express their spiritual journeys Feel connected to their various communities Have a desire and commitment to be part of the Jewish people Have a positive relationship to the land, people and State of Israel Are inspired and empowered to make a positive difference in various communities in the world in which they live In 2018-19, the Jewish Federation’s Jewish Life and Learning Department, the JCC, and the Teen Funder Collaborative embarked on an initiative to measure the impact of the JCC’s Second Floor programs for teens. Criteria 65
Search
