JFED CONNECTSAN UPDATE OF WHAT’S HAPPENING AT JEWISH FEDERATION

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014

As this issue of JFED Connects goes to press, we are six weeks away from completing our 2014 Annual Campaign. On behalf of all our beneficiary agencies, I want to thank the thousands of you who have made a gift to this

year's campaign. Your contributions allow our community to be a source for good, and I hope you take genuine pleasure in your ability and willingness to give.

Above and beyond the Annual Campaign, we have accomplished many great things together over the course of the year. In times of crisis, our community came together to provide invaluable assistance at a critical time. From the first instance of the kidnapping of the three boys in Israel to the most recent events in Ferguson, you have been there to respond quickly and help

JFedSTL.org

INSIDEFrom Ruth & Stephen ... 2Presidents’ Circle .......... 2Innovation Grants ......... 2HMLC event.................. 2Lollapajewza ................. 3Bohm Funds.................. 3Israel Travel Grants........ 3Women Clergy Event .... 3Millstone & Nishmahin Slingshot ................... 32014 Annual Campaign Guide........... 3Matt Smith’s Story......... 4Millstone Fellows .......... 4The InternshipExperience.................... 4

those who needed it most. I am so proud to be a part of this community that takes care of our brothers and sisters, both locally and abroad.

The stories of those we as a Jewish Federation serve are well known, and I hope we have done a good job explaining the very real needs that exist both in the St. Louis and international communities. To those of you who have not yet pledged, please do so now. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference. So please give. Working together, we can have a huge impact on peoples' lives.

To donate, visit JFedSTL.org/Donate or call Rachel Pereles, our Campaign Director at 314-442-3809. Rachel would be happy to share with you the many ways to make your gift and be a part of our community’s effort to preserve and enhance Jewish life. Thank you for joining with me to make this possible.

As our 2014 Annual Campaign comes to a close, I would like to remind you how we began this year, with stories that touched our community. So much of our Jewish tradition is handed down in stories. Stories help us connect and discover the common threads that bind us to each other in this life. You can see an assortment of the stories that have been collected at JFedSTL.org/OurStory.

Part of our work at Federation is to make sure there is vibrancy to our stories in the future. This is made possible through the funds we collect in the Annual Campaign. Each and every contribution helps make a difference in our community, both locally and abroad. We are able to inspire Jewish life at summer camps and day schools; help take care of vulnerable populations; provide scholarships for innovative community programs; educate and advocate for a strong Israel; and fund initiatives that make Jewish life accessible for individuals of all abilities.

By strengthening existing institutions and developing bold new ways of connecting people and programs, we enrich lives in St. Louis, in Israel, and around the world – ultimately making our community a great place for individuals to live, work and raise their families.

This is a communal effort. If you have already made your contribution to the 2014 Annual Campaign, we thank you. If you have not, I ask that you join us now. We are gearing up for a great 2015, but rely on funds from the 2014 Campaign to ensure the future of our Jewish community. The needs continue to grow, but I know that together, we can build a community that is strong, vibrant, energized and most of all committed to ensuring a bright future for Jews everywhere.

Thank you for sharing your stories with us. These stories offer a glimpse into the impact we have when we work together. Lives are changed, progress is made, and our community is strengthened.

From our CEO, Andrew Rehfeld

From our Chair, Patricia Croughan

INNOVATION GRANTS Jewish Federation of St. Louis has named five individuals to receive 2014 Innovation Grants. The grants are designed to stimulate the growth of new ideas that address Jewish education or engagement in the St. Louis Jewish community. Federation will work closely with the grant recipients to support their entrepreneurial efforts.

Winners of the grants are:• Carol Cohen–Shabbat and She’elot (Questions) • Melanie Paticoff–Modern Jewish Living for Young Women • Joseph Auteberry–Shabbat Service in a Pub • Kristofer Wilson–InTents Jews • Ian Lever–Startup Nation and the New Spirit of St. Louis

PRESIDENTS’ CIRCLE Jewish Federation of St. Louis’ Millstone Institute is pleased to host the only Presidents’ Circle in the country. Building on our goals to strengthen leadership and create networks across the spectrum of the entire Jewish community, the Presidents’ Circle hosts bi-annual receptions for board presidents, presidents-elect, clergy and CEOs/Execs. International consultant, Noomi Melchior Natan will present to the Presidents’ Circle and the 2014 Millstone Fellows will be recognized on Thursday, December 4 from 5:30-7:00 pm at the Frontenac Hilton. Melchior Natan will discuss “Where Does Management End and Leadership Begin?” For information contact, Marci Mayer Eisen at 314-442-3810, MEisen@JFedSTL.org.

Please join us on Sunday, November 23 at 3:00 pm at Central Reform Congregation for Voices from the Holocaust: Music Makes You Free. Drs. Kathleen Nigro, Gail Fleming and Barbara Harbach will present music and readings in honor of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the concentration camps Dachau and Theresienstadt. This event is free and open to the public. Co-sponsored by University of Missouri – St. Louis, Women in the Arts, Central Reform Congregation, Missouri Humanities Council and Rubin* and Gloria Feldman Family Education Institute of the Holocaust Museum and Learning Center. For more information, call 314-516-4990.

We on the Planning & Allocations staff have issued our annual report to the community. This extensive booklet, which can be found at JFedSTL.org/About, outlines how funds raised from your contributions last year will be used to support agencies, programs and organizations that strengthen and enhance Jewish life in St. Louis, in Israel and around the world. We are proud that together, we have made a significant investment in the future of the Jewish community.

The idea of the individual giving to create a greater whole is a strong theme in Jewish history. Consider the individual contributions to the Tabernacle, the portable house of worship, which not only enabled the building of this important structure,

but also helped transform the individual givers into a nation. With the generous donations from each of you, we are able to meaningfully impact many – such as help feed the hungry, protect children, ensure that seniors live vibrant lives and lift families out of poverty.

However, we must also remember that there is a need within our extended community that is not always met by our finite resources. It is our hope that with the 2014 Annual Campaign, we will be able to make more allocations to even more worthy organizations. That means increased funds for our local initiatives, greater support for our overseas agencies, additional resources for vulnerable populations, and so much more.

Through dedication, collaboration and optimism, we can work for the future we know we can build together. Make your contribution today at JFedSTL.org/Donate.

From our Chair, Planning & Allocations, Ruth Raskas and our Planning and Allocations Vice President, Stephen Cohen, PhD

UPCOMING EVENT AT HMLC

Come celebrate being Jewish and reuniting with friends at YPD’s annual festive happy hour, Lollapajewza! Save the date – Christmas Eve, December 24 from 9 pm till 11 pm. More information to come. Questions? Contact Lee’at Bachar at LBachar@JFedSTL.org

Congratulations to the Millstone Institute and Nishmah: the St. Louis Jewish Women’s Project for being selected among the most innovative Jewish initiatives in the Midwest for the 2014-15 Slingshot Guide. Slingshot Guide highlights the best of the thriving Jewish nonprofit world. This is the first time Millstone Institute is included. Millstone Institute is proud to join Nishmah as the only two St. Louis organizations included in Slingshot for 2014-15 and proud to be in the new Midwest supplement. For more information about Millstone Institute, contact Marci Mayer Eisen, 314-442-3810 or MEisen@JFedSTL.org and for more information about Nishmah: The St. Louis Jewish Women’s Project, contact Sara Winkelman, SWinkelman@jccstl.org or 314-442-3268.

MILLSTONE AND NISHMAH RECEIVE SLINGSHOT HONOR

The Central Agency for Jewish Education (CAJE) and Jewish Federation of St. Louis announce the availability of Israel Travel Grants for teens and young adults traveling to Israel for a peer-based educational experience. The new travel grant is available to all teens upon completion of 9th grade and to young adults through age 27. Applications are available at CAJESTL.org

ISRAEL TRAVEL GRANTS

The Bohm Fund was established in 1983 by Lee and the late Milford Bohm to provide seed money for new projects in Reform Jewish religious school settings that directly benefit children. The Bohm Fund for Jewish Education Committee is pleased to allocate a collective $10,016 to five programs: Shaare Emeth (The Purim Players); United Hebrew (Main Street Tzedakah); Temple Israel (Mishpacha – Family Matters); Temple Emanuel (ReCREATE a Menorah!); and, a Retreat for High School Students from all reform congregations.

JEWISH FEDERATION AWARDS MILFORD AND LEE BOHM FUNDS FOR JEWISH EDUCATION TO AREA CONGREGATIONS

Did you know that St. Louis has more female clergy sitting at the helm of congregations than any other city? The overall number of women clergy in town says a lot about the St. Louis Jewish community and how we embrace women as leaders. Join Women’s Philanthropy as we bring together all the female clergy for the first time in recent history. This insightful program will feature a panel of seven clergy with time for questions and answers! For more information, contact Julie Gibbs at 314-442-3729.

Tuesday, January 13 Jewish Community Center, Arts & Education Building6:00 pm Drinks and Appetizers7:00 pm Program (Dietary laws observed)

WOMEN CLERGY EVENT

We are entering the final weeks of the 2014 Annual Campaign. Thanks to the generosity of thousands of donors, we have already raised $6 million to support our community here in St. Louis, in Israel and around the world. If you have not yet made your gift, it is not too late – please visit JFedSTL.org/Donate or call Rachel Pereles at 314-442-3809. The 2014 Campaign ends December 31, 2014. Thank you for your support.

2014 ANNUAL CAMPAIGN

MILLSTONE FELLOWS Applications are being accepted for the 2015 Millstone Fellows, the signature program for the Millstone Institute. The Fellows meet eight times from March through November to integrate Jewish values into decision making, deepen personal commitment, engage with national and local thought leaders, strengthen skills to move the community forward through collaboration, and build meaningful, life-long relationships. Applications are due December 19. Go to Millstonestl.org/Fellows or contact Karen Sher at KSher@JFedSTL.org, 314-442-3824.

“There is palpable energy and excitement from our Millstone leadership, which will serve our congregation well into the future … and help them work together for the betterment of our St. Louis Jewish community.” Rabbi Brigitte Rosenberg of Congregation United Hebrew.

Throughout its history, Jewish Federation has been there to support Congregation B’nai Amoona and help our community with projects we never could have completed on our own.

Every day I see the impact that Jewish Federation has on our synagogue. Through their collaboration and financial support, area congregations can build on their own strengths and better serve their people through services like the insurance pool and Congregational Chesed Fund. This invaluable partnership unites us all, making us a stronger St. Louis community.

At Congregation B’nai Amoona, we pride ourselves on being inclusive and are always looking for ways to ensure accessibility for all. Because Jewish Federation shares that vision, they helped us install automatic doors to our synagogue and a ramp to our bema so people of all abilities can easily join us. We also met with an inclusion specialist funded by Jewish Federation to talk through our plans for the synagogue and school. I am proud to be part of such a dynamic community that has a resource like Jewish Federation.

Giving to Jewish Federation means supporting our community’s infrastructure and all that it provides to St. Louis. Your gift ensures that programs, services and organizations that serve our Jewish community will be around today, tomorrow and for generations to come.

Jewish Federation of St. Louis is pleased to offer students an eight-week paid summer internship opportunity that will provide meaningful employment at a local business or non-profit organization, a community mentor and opportunities to engage with the local Jewish community as part of a special cohort. Applicants must be completing their Sophomore or Junior year of college; attend school in St. Louis or live in St. Louis and attend school elsewhere; be available Monday through Friday, June 1-July 31, 2015; have transportation; and be Jewish or interested in the St. Louis Jewish community. For more information or to apply, visit JFedSTL.org/The-Internship-Experience or contact Nate Rosenblum at NRosenblum@JFedSTL.org or 314-442-3726. The deadline for applications is January 15, 2015.

Visit JFedSTL.org/OurStory to learn more about Matt’s story and how Federation continues to enrich his congregation. Matt’s story is our story.

Make your gift today. JFedSTL.org/Donate Visit us online to donate and learn more about how your dollars can help do great things.

Matt Smith, age 43

Congregation B’nai Amoona Board of Trustees, VP of Operations

Account Executive, husband, father of three

Proud Jewish Federation donor impacting future generations