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1 / NETWORK NEWS / Spring 2015

NETWORKNEWS

Spring 2015 5774VOL. 21, NO. 3 JEWISHFEDERATIONS.ORG/NETWORK

Around Our CommunitiesTop Row L-R: Regional Director Edward Finkel with San Juan Jewish community leaders David Solomiany, Jeff Berezdivin, and Joel Bender; Annette Cottingham and Mike Trimeyer at a campaign event in Corpus Christi, TX; Toby Shorr and Norma Levens at a campaign event in Corpus Christi, TX.

Second Row L-R: Jack Davis, Selma Hollander, and Stephen Flaster at an Aliyah of Rescue campaign event in East Lansing, MI; Elliot Spoon, Arielle DiPorto, and Amy Hodgin at an Aliyah of Rescue campaign event in East Lansing, MI; Gene, Faye, and Joe Rosenbaum in Pensacola, FL.

Third Row L-R: Shirley and Irving Greenblum, Ike Epstein, Evelyn Selig, and Regional Director Rachel Levy in Laredo, TX; Alvin Stabber, President of the Tallahassee Jewish Federation, at a campaign event in Tallahassee, FL; Loyce Farr Sulkes speaks about a new Jewish summer camp scholarship, established in memory of her husband Alvin, in Tallahassee, FL; Rabbi Joel Fleekop, Regional Director Rachel Levy, and Pensacola Federation President Cindy Gross in Pensacola, FL.

Bottom Row L-R: Guest speaker Gil Tamary with Columbus Jewish Federation President Gloria Cohen at an annual campaign event in Columbus, GA; Jean and Jerry Kent at an annual campaign event in Columbus, GA; Pat and Jack Wilensky at an annual campaign event in Columbus, GA; Regional Director Richard Klein and Cheryl Katz, past Campaign Chair at campaign event in Jackson, MS.

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A NOTE FROM

OUR LEADERSHIP

Despite having been to Israel a number of times, I had

never been to Dimona. But in my role as the Network’s

Advisory Committee Chair, a visit to our partnership city

recently became an exciting reality. Yes, it felt like part of my

“job” to travel there and visit the sites of Network-funded

programs, but more than that – it was a privilege to observe

firsthand the truly incredible work that is happening there.

Most importantly, I must tell you about my site visit to Lunch and Learn – the Network’s signature program (run by the Jewish Agency) that provides at-risk elementary school students in Dimona with an extended school day, additional academic instruction, and a daily hot meal. Of course I’ve read about the program and its widespread positive effects on the participants, their families, and the area at large, but I was not prepared for the outpouring of support from every involved person I met.

With programs like this, there is always the risk of participants dealing with stigma. But in Dimona, the opposite is true! Spots in the program are coveted. The bubbly energy and the smiles on the faces of all involved – from students to teachers to counselors to staff members – are so telling about the success and commitment this program gener-ates. Lunch and Learn is really, truly changing lives.

It felt so important to be there, but even more important to return and share with you my own experience of the power of the dollars we raise.

Wishing you a joyous Passover!

As some of you know, I was recently promoted to Execu-

tive Director of The Network of Independent Commu-

nities. It was truly a privilege and honor to serve as Interim

Director for the past six months and I look forward to taking

the Network to even greater heights in the coming years. I

am pleased to report that in 2014, the Network raised close

to $5.8 million – a 15% increase over last year. Almost

$700,000 of those funds were for the Stop the Sirens emer-

gency campaign, underscoring how deeply Network donors

care about Israel’s survival and well-being. Our overseas partner agencies are facing enormous challenges as we begin the 2015 Annual Campaign. The Jewish Agency is projecting that 15,000 French Jews will be making Aliyah this year, and is also working hard to rescue Jews from the war torn country of Ukraine. Concurrently, JDC is providing critical services for the more than 7,000 Jews who remain in the war zone or who have fled to safer areas in the Ukraine and Russia. By supporting the Annual Campaign, we can help our Jewish brethren whenever and wherever they are in need. I look forward to working closely with you throughout the year and thank you again for all of your efforts on behalf of the Jewish people.

I wish you and your families a very happy Passover.

DannyDanny Nathanson, Executive Director

JulieJulie Wise Oreck, Network Chair


I’d guess that the girls were about eight or nine years old.

I couldn’t ask them directly because they spoke French, and

my ability to do so pretty much lapsed somewhere between

my sophomore year in college and mid-February when I

visited Paris. But nine is probably in the ballpark, because

some of their baby teeth were missing, and they were enter-

tainingly adorable as they mugged before my camera.

Along with 44 other Jewish volunteers and professionals from across America, I encoun-tered the kids when visiting Ecole Lucien de Hirsch, the 1,200-student Jewish day school in Paris. We went to the school as part of an intense, 48-hour Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) solidarity mission to Paris in the wake of events that have traumatized French Jewry.

Our itinerary included meetings with leaders of the French Jewish community, from the head of the Protective Service, which coordinates emergency preparation in all French Jewish facilities, to officers of many national Jewish organizations. We also engaged with Muslims and Jews working to build understanding between their communities, high ranking French officials, as well as the

United States Ambassador to France. We lunched at the residence of the charming Israeli ambassador, who con-cisely summarized the current state of French Jewry in one word: anxiety.

And of course, we paused for a brief memorial service at the now-closed Hyper Casher, the kosher supermarket where four Jews were murdered by a terrorist in January.

It’s the kids, though, whom I think of most often as the days since my visit turn to months. They were just a few of many dozens of children enjoying recess, racing about the school’s inner courtyard. To reach them, however, we entered the sprawl-ing building through a secure access guarded by three soldiers in full battle gear carrying assault rifles, and several plainclothes police. This is how it is, we were told, in all 600 Jewish institutions across France. At least for now.

The government, which wants its Jewish citizens to remain in France, supplies the protection, but, it is understood, it cannot do so forever. Even now, we

were told, parents of over 12,000 Jewish day school children have been trained in the basics of “security attentive-ness.” The murder, two years ago, of three children at Ozar Hatorah Jewish Day School in Toulouse is never far from parents’ thoughts.

Our mission was to learn, to retell the story at home, and most of all, to demonstrate solidarity with our fellow Jews.

Upon her return, mission participant and JFNA National Campaign chair Linda Hurwitz wrote a report, using a word of French origin in her poignant conclusion: “I will not take my life as an American Jew for granted, nor the opportunities our ancestry and Federations have built for us to live a life as we choose openly and freely, nonchalantly. We are blessed.”

Our visit demonstrated to the Jews of France that their anxiety is shared, and their fate is of critical importance to us. My hope is that someday soon, little Jewish girls in Paris who giggle at a visiting Jew’s camera will resume living their lives nonchalantly.

FRANCE SOLIDARITY MISSION:

A RABBI'S P.O.V.BY BOB ALPER – A RABBI, AUTHOR AND FULL-TIME STAND-UP COMEDIAN WHO PERFORMS ACROSS NORTH AMERICA AND ENGLAND, FREQUENTLY AT FEDERATION EVENTS AND IN NETWORK COMMUNITIES. HE CAN

BE HEARD DAILY ON THE CLEAN COMEDY CHANNEL OF SIRIUS/XM RADIO, AND LIVES WITH HIS WIFE, A PSYCHOTHERAPIST, IN RURAL VERMONT. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON BOB, PLEASE VISIT BOBALPER.COM.

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DNEPROPETROVSK(40,000)

ODESSA(40,000)

KIEV(65,000)

KHARKOV (45,000)

Jewish Communities in Ukraine(Estimated Jewish Populations; Source: JDC)

Map Created 2/2014

Cities with JDC Hesed welfare & community centers

Ukraine Population: 45,000,000Jewish Population: 300,000-350,000

JDC operates 32 Hesed welfare & community centers providing support to Jews in over 1000 locations in Ukraine

DONETSK(15,000)

LUGANSK(8,000)

ZAPOROZHYE(12,000)

ZHITOMIR(7,000) POLTAVA

(5,000)

NIKOLAEV(9,000)

SIMFEROPOL(9,000)

SEVASTOPOL(5,000)

KHERSON(8,000)

CHERNOVTSY(5,000)

CHERKASSY(7,000)

VINNITSA(8,000)

KRIVOY ROG(9,000)

CHERNIGOV(5,000)

KHMELNITSKY(7,000)

LVOV(11,000)

Overseas Focus

UKRAINIAN JEWS FACE HISTORIC CRISIS

JDC Increases Support and Services

BY STAFF WRITERS, JOINT DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE

JDC is an overseas partner receiving financial support from JFNA/ Network of Independent Communities

Headlines describe a war in Eastern Ukraine that is

causing national economic collapse and a humanitarian

catastrophe. Thousands of Jews are trapped in conflict zones

or have fled the region – a phenomenon that the world has

not witnessed since World War II.

During times of peace, JDC’s already impoverished clients lead difficult

lives of deprivation. For those who have fled or who remain in the

conflict zone, the situation has become that much more dire.

Repercussions of the Conflict:

• Loss of Pensions: Elderly in the newly proclaimed republics are not

receiving their pensions, their only source of income.

• Homelessness: Thousands of Jews in Russia and Ukraine have fled

their homes, often with only what they could carry.

• Decreased Value of Currency: The Ukrainian currency, the

hryvnia (UAH), has decreased significantly in the past year.

This has led to an erosion of local buying power. On average,

pensions are worth half of their previous value.

• Increased Cost of Basic Goods and Utilities: Prices of

essentials like food and medicine have increased by 50-80%.

On average, households are paying 70% more for their

monthly utility bills.

• Regional Instability: Ukraine is not the only country

affected. Russia’s economy has been hit hard. Oil prices

dropped by 44% and the value of the ruble dropped

by half in 2014.

JDC’s Response & Efforts:

Over 6,900 people who are located in the conflict zone or who

have fled their homes are receiving life-sustaining services.

JDC has delivered ongoing services to 60,000 Jews in more than 1,000

locations throughout Ukraine, and expanded aid to thousands of Jews in

distress, often at great risk.

JDC and its network of 32 Hesed social welfare centers have worked

day and night to serve more than 4,600 Jews in the eastern conflict

zone and more than 2,500 displaced Jews who fled to other cities.

These Jews have received food, medicine, homecare, stipends for new

accommodations, post-trauma care, and vitally important winter fuel,

bedding, and clothing. They have also been connected to their local

Jewish communities, which can include opportunities for education,

holiday celebrations, and summer camps.


Overseas Focus

FRENCH JEWS SHOW RECORD

INTEREST IN ALIYAHBY STAFF WRITERS, JEWISH AGENCY FOR ISRAEL

The Jewish Agency is an overseas partner receiving financial support from JFNA/ Network of Independent Communities

I n one week in February of this year, a record 8,000 people, mostly between the

ages of 16 and 35, visited Israel opportunity fairs across France. The Orient-a-

Sion fairs, which take place in Paris, Lyon, and Marseilles, aim to expose French

Jews to the range of opportunities available to them in Israel, as well as to Israel

experience programs offered by Masa Israel Journey, a joint initiative of The Jewish

Agency and the Government of Israel.

“We have been doing this for years, and we could not believe our eyes,” said Daniel Benhaim, head of the Jewish Agency delega-tion in France. “By 10 a.m., there was a line around the block. There is a major shift occurring in France, and we expect more than 10-15,000 immigrants this year. What we saw today confirms that.” In Paris alone, some 6,000 people participated in the event – triple the 2,000 who attended last year.

The Jewish Agency’s Director-General, Alan Hoffmann, attended the event along with a Jewish Agency solidarity mission, comprised largely of leaders from the Jewish Federations of North America. He said, “The choice of Israel [is] organic for this community. Israel is a regular part of their lives, and that is, in

large part, because of our work, which JFNA, along with our government partners, makes possible.”

Dozens of representa-tives from Israeli organizations and government bodies, including the mayors of several Israeli cities, presented those in attendance with housing options, employment opportu-nities, and educational programs available to them in Israel.

The French Jewish community of approxi-mately 500,000 is the largest Jewish community in Europe, and the third largest in the world, behind Israel and the United States. Prior to the recent attacks in Paris, The Jewish Agency and its partners at the Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorp-tion had predicted that some 10,000 French Jewish immigrants would come to Israel in 2015. Those estimates are now being revised as calls to The Jewish Agency’s Paris offices have tripled in recent weeks.


WILL YOU HELP CHANGE A CHILD’S LIFE THIS PASSOVER?Please answer “yes” and give as generously as you can.

Return this pledge card or go to jfna.org/network to donate today.

HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE COMPOSITION

PREMIERES IN LINCOLNBY JENNIFER ROSENBLATT, JEWISH FEDERATION OF LINCOLN, NE

Temperatures might have been freezing during January in Nebraska, but

Dr. Laurence Sherr received a warm reception when he chose Lincoln, NE for

the world premiere of his Sonata for Cello and Piano: Mir Zaynen Do!

The piece premiered on January 15 during the faculty recital of Karen Becker, professor of cello at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), and featured guest artist Jay Mauchley on piano. The program also included a vocal performance of three Yiddish songs that were Laurence Sherr’s inspiration for the Sonata, as well as a performance of Richard Strauss’ Sonata for Cello and Piano.

Sherr spent nearly a week in Lincoln sharing his knowledge Holocaust-related music and art. Lectures at UNL included “Suppressed Music and Art During the Nazi Era” and “Music at Auschwitz: Aid to Survival

or Dehumanizing Degradation?” Sherr also visited with Congregations B’nai Jeshurun and Tifereth Israel on Shabbat to give a drash (sermon) and lead a lunch-and-learn.

Sherr ended the week as the featured speaker at the Jewish Federation of Lincoln’s annual meeting. Nearly forty members attended his presentation, entitled “An Introduction to Klezmer and Gypsy Music, and their Influence on Western Classical Music.” This enlightening presentation traced the roots of Klezmer music, and provided examples of Jewish melodies present in Western classical music.

The five days of lectures and recitals were sponsored by the Glenn Korff School of Music, the Harris Center for Judaic Studies, the Jewish Federation of Lincoln, the South Street Temple, and Congregation Tifereth Israel.

Each year, essential services and programs in Israel and in 70 countries around the world are sustained by your support.

Enclosed is my donation for: $500 $360 $180 $100 $36 Other ________ Check Enclosed Charge my credit card Visa M/C Amex

I am interested in learning how I can benefit by perpetuating my gift to the Annual Campaign.Please send me information contact me by phone email me

Please detach form and mail with donation made p ayable to The Jewish Federations of North America to: JFNA/Network, 25 Broadway, Ste 1700, New York, NY 10004

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Email Telephone #

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City State Zip

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Employer (some employers have matching gifts programs) *3 digit, non-embossed number on back of a Visa or Mastercard or a 4 digit, non-embossed number on front of American Express.

NNS15


THE JEWISH FEDERATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA NETWORK ANNUAL CAMpAIGN

Pursuant to state regulations regarding charitable solicitations, we are required to include certain disclosure language on printed solicitations. A copy of the latest Financial Report and Registration filed by this organization may be obtained by contacting Joseph Stalbow at The Jewish Federations of North America, Inc., 25 Broadway, Suite 1700, New York, NY 10004-1010, 212-284-6500, or by contacting any of the state agencies: Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE, 1-800-435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. CH-951Maryland: Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies from the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401.Mississippi: The official registration and financial information of The Jewish Federations of North America, Inc. may be obtained from the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office by calling 1-888-236-6167. Registration by the Secretary of State does not imply endorsement.New Jersey: INFORMATION FILED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CONCERNING THIS CHARITABLE SOLICITATION AND THE PERCENTAGE OF CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED BY THE CHARITY DURING THE LAST REPORTING PERIOD THAT WERE DEDICATED TO THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY BY CALLING 973-504-6215 AND IS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT http://www.njconsumeraf-fairs.gov/ocp.htm#charity. REGISTRATION WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT.New York: Office of the Attorney General, Department of Law, Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, New York 10271.North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Section at 1-888-830-4989. The license is not an endorsement by the state.Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of The Jewish Federations of North America, Inc., may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.Virginia: State Division of Consumer Affairs, Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services, PO Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218. Washington: Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504-0422, 1-800-332-4483. West Virginia: Residents may obtain a summary from the Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305.Registration with any state agency does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state.

PASSOVER AND

JEWISH GREATNESSBY RABBI ILAN EMANUEL, CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL, CORPUS CHRISTI, TX

We Jews have always done things a little differently. Most nations of the an-

cient world claimed their ancestors were descended from great nobility, or

even from the gods themselves. In contrast, we tell the story every year of how our

Jewish ancestors were slaves in Egypt.

It cannot be stressed enough how different this makes us in the annals of history and how we

conceive of ourselves as a people.

Perhaps this is because our Jewish concept of greatness starts from rock bottom. From where we

started, we could only go up. And thus, for Jews, greatness is born of humility and striving. We are

well aware of our own shortcomings, put in sharp relief by our humble origins. We do not see

ourselves as naturally entitled to greatness. Rather we understand that greatness must be earned.

That is why, despite all our history since the Exodus, so much of our liturgy and thought harkens

back to that central narrative. We understand that to attain greatness from our lowly, roots we have

had to strive for it. And, as a people and as individuals, we have not only survived, but thrived,

despite so many obstacles in our way.

As we prepare for Passover and recall the Exodus from Egypt, we understand that Jewish history

teaches us that greatness can’t be measured in terms of wealth and power, but rather, in morality

and ethics, in truth and justice, in kindness and compassion, and in fixing the world for the benefit

of all humanity.

Think Jewish camp is out of reach this summer? Think again.Choose a Jewish overnight summer camp and you could save up to $1000 off your child’s first summer at camp.

For more information and to apply, contact Stephanie Kahn at 216-593-2923 or email [email protected]


EXEMPLIFYING CO-EXISTENCE:

A VISIT TO

YOUTH FUTURESAN INTERVIEW WITH DR. MARCIA ZAX, ITHACA AREA UNITED JEWISH COMMUNITY, ITHACA, NY

Q/ANetwork News: Tell us about your most recent trip to Israel.

Marcia Zax: This past winter, I was able to take a few days off from my dental practice and make a quick trip to Israel to visit family and friends. I have always been passionate about Israel and my family made aliyah for a number of years before returning to the States.

As chair of Ithaca’s Federation, IAUJC (Ithaca Area United Jewish Community), I have visited Federation programs in Israel in the past, but I always want to understand more about where our dollars go. So even though this trip was fast, I made time to visit The Jewish Agency’s Youth Futures program in Jaffa.

NN: Can you describe what Youth Futures is? Who does it serve?

MZ: Youth Futures is a program that serves thousands of students and their families in 35 different communities. It provides mentoring for at-risk children, including pre-teens. Each mentor works with 16 at-risk children over the course of three years, strengthening both academic and social skills.

In the Jaffa location of Matnas Beit Cherner, I met the program’s national resource development director, Noa Gilo, and social workers Yulia Valdman and Shadia Haranbi.

Yulia is Israeli and works with at-risk Jewish children, and Shadia is Bedouin and works with Arab children. Each see 16 children and their families, and it’s their job to help wherever it is needed. One of them talked about recently helping to set up plumbing repairs in one home to ensure that the children could take baths and get properly cleaned. The family didn’t know what to do and had turned to their Youth Futures mentor for aid.

NN: As a dentist, you probably like to see how dental care is performed elsewhere. Did you get to see anything in the Youth Futures site visit?

MZ: Although dentistry is free for children in Israel, Yulia and Shadia spoke about disabled parents calling on a Youth Futures mentor to make sure the children get to their cleanings. In another case, they told me about a child with a mouth full of unsightly brown teeth. The parents were unaware that her teeth were affecting her acceptance by other children. Once the Youth Futures

mentor helped educate the family about dental hygiene and set up a path to regular dental care, the child blossomed into a much happier adolescent.

NN: How will you bring your experience back to your community?

MZ: What struck me the most were the Jewish and Bedouin staff members working side by side to help young kids. In my home community of Ithaca, people are very interested and concerned about co-existence in Israel and ways that Arabs and Jews can work together. This program was incredibly inspirational to see. They’re actively chang-ing the lives of these kids and their parents.

At Matnas Beit Cherner in Jaffa, Marcia (3rd from left) met with the program's national resource development director, Noa Gilo, and social workers Yulia Valdman and Shadia Haranbi.


NETWORK NEWS25 Broadway, Suite 1700, New York, NY 10004 JewishFederations.org/Network

For general inquiries about the Network, please call 212.284.6727 or email [email protected]

Network News is a publication of the Jewish Federations of North America. It covers the issues that small Jewish communities and their leadership grapple with everyday, including Jewish education, commitment to Israel, demographics and the availability of resources to help communities maintain their Jewish connection.

MICHAEL D. SIEGAL Chair, Board of Trustees

DIANE S. FEINBERG Chair, Executive Committee

LINDA A. HURWITZ Chair, National Campaign

ANN PAVA Chair, National Women’s Philanthropy

STEPHEN J. SILVERMAN Treasurer

JULIE WISE ORECK Chair, Network Advisory Committee

GERRALD B. SILVERMAN President / CEO

DANNY NATHANSON Executive Director, Network of Independent Communities

CANDACE SIMON Editor

JEANINE DAVIS Designer

JOSEPH HERTZBERG Proofreader

ERICA HEISMAN Proofreader

ERICA LOIACANO Proofreader

CONTACT USExecutive Director:

Danny Nathanson 818.219.7948 [email protected]

Regional Directors:

Edward Finkel 212.284.6530 [email protected]

Richard A. Klein 704.362.5320 [email protected]

Rachel O. Levy 608.836.8129 [email protected]

Tiffany Yankovich 212.284.6739 [email protected]

Communications Director / Assistant Regional Director:

Candace Simon 212.284.6727 [email protected]

The attacks on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and a kosher supermarket

in Paris have highlighted what is seen as the increasing threat of Islamist

extremism in Europe. Armed police and even soldiers now guard ORT France’s

seven schools, which, like other Jewish institutions, have been prioritized by the

authorities for protection.

As the four victims of the attack on the

supermarket, Yoav Hattab, Philippe Braham,

Yohan Cohen and Francois-Michel Saada,

were buried in Jerusalem, Israeli President,

Reuven Rivlin, described Yohan, a graduate

of ORT Villiers-le-Bel, as a hero. “Yohan, you

could have got away, escaped, you could have

run – but you did not surrender. You fought

with the murderer to save the life of a

three-year-old boy. You succeeded in that but

paid with your life. Just 20 years old and

already a hero.”

The principal of ORT Villiers-le-Bel, Moise

Tibi, said Yohan’s murder had been the worst

experience of his 35-year-long career. “You

don’t expect something like this to happen.

Two years ago we lost a student in a car crash

in Israel during the summer and that was

terrible. But this is on another level: for

someone to be killed in cold blood because

he is Jewish…the whole school is in mourn-

ing,” he said. ORT France has waived tuition

fees for Yohan’s sister.

Overseas FocusWORLD ORT

MOURNS VICTIM

OF PARIS ATTACKSBY STAFF WRITERS, WORLD ORT

World ORT is an overseas partner receiving financial support from

JFNA/ Network of Independent Communities

Around Our CommunitiesTop Row L-R: Rabbi Jason Gwasdoff, guest speaker Linda Scherzer, and brunch hosts Pat and Jeff Lindenberg at a campaign event in Stockton, CA; (Clockwise) Campaign chair Linda Rosen, Rabbi Eve Eichenholtz, Regional Director Richard Klein, board member Michael Green, Nan Goldwasser, and campaign treasurer Don Goldwasser in Fayetteville, NC.

Second Row L-R: Dr. Howard Katz, Dr. Don Sawyer, and Rebecca Laskin at a campaign event in Jackson, MS; Community leader Hillard Corren, guest speaker Linda Scherzer, and community leader Marcia Davidson, and Network Executive Director Danny Nathanson at a campaign event in Stockton, CA.

Third Row L-R: Audrey Madans, Monty Bennett, Robert Moses, and Cantor Elias Roochvarg at a campaign event in Sumter, SC; Cheryl Hersh, Debbie Hersh, Arielle Levy, Dr. Stanley Hersh, Judy Hersh, Regional Director Tiffany Yankovich, and Florence Hersh in Waco, TX.

Fourth Row L-R: Alyssa Silberman with Rabbi Ted Riter at campaign event in Jackson, MS; Campaign chair Bob Fenton, Rabbi Bruce Greenbaum, guest speaker Colonel Miri Eisen, and community leaders Anna Swartley and David Sabih, at a major donor event in Carmel, CA; Noy Perry with Israel Fellows Gil Naor, and Yevgenyih Averbuch in Ithaca, NY.

Bottom Row L-R: Dr. Don Sawyer, Jackson Campaign Chair, and Lou Shornick at a campaign event in Jackson, MS.

®

Network News25 Broadway, Suite 1700New York, NY 10004

DONATETODAY TO ALIYAH OF

RESCUE. Help us bring Jews

home to Israel.

On Passover, we celebrate our freedom from oppression.But not all Jews have such cause to celebrate. Currently there are over 60,000 Jews who live in countries where they are at risk. Aliyah of Rescue has helped more than three million Jews emigrate to Israel, and this Passover, the need is greater than ever. Look inside for more information on how you can help.

2015 HERITAGE SOCIETYAND BOOK OF LIFE

Please Join Us. Create Your Legacy Today.

The Heritage Society pays tribute to individuals who have

made a bequest or other planned gift to The Jewish Federa-

tions of North America. These gifts not only help to ensure that

JFNA’s life-saving work will continue far beyond the lifetime of

these donors, they also inspire others to commit themselves to

the Jewish community in Israel, the United States and through-

out the world. The Book of Life affords special recognition to

Heritage Society members who have created a bequest or

permanent endowment of at least $100,000 for JFNA.

Heritage Society:Henry A. Alexander, Eugene, OR*

Mayer Alpert, Sheboygan, WI*

Jill and Gary Altman, Colorado Springs, CO

Bernard Appel, Ft. Worth, TX

Herman Balaban, Manitowoc, WI

Vivienne Baum Taos, NM*

Henry, Sophie, and Frank Bernhard,

Columbus, GA*

Jack I. Blum, Steubenville, OH*

Dr. Norman Bolker, Corvallis, OR

Anna Bohorad, Pottsville, PA*

Irving S. Caplan, Malone, NY

Jerry and Tac Caplan, Springfield, MO

Andrea Carter, Monterey, CA*

Lucille Chasnoff, Carmel, CA*

Norman Clinkston, Saginaw, MI*

David and Pearl Coe, Dothan, AL*

Louis L. Croy, Manitowoc, WI*

Mr. & Mrs. Edward Danuff, Tallahassee, FL

Ruth Deckelbaum, Anne Arundel County, MD

Theodore Ehrenkranz, Los Alamos, NM

Janice and Marvin Epstein, Bayonne, NJ

Jerome S. Epstein, Northbrook, IL*

David Feldman, Yorktown, IN

Dr. Eugene W. Feldman, Lewistown, PA

Drs. Paula and Henry Feuer,

West Lafayette, IN*

Opal Gefon, Heber Springs, AR*

Sara C. Ginsburg, Steubenville, OH*

Fred Glosser, Johnstown, PA

Marvin Glyder, Biloxi/Gulfport, MS

Martin and Ethel R. Goldman,

Plattsburgh, NY*

Morris Gorden, Baldwyn, MS

Florence Green, Johnstown, PA*

Frada and Walter W.*Green, Danville, IL*

David Greenberg, Texarkana, TX*

Barry and Edith Greene, Martinsville, VA

Dr. Harry Gross, Pineville, LA

Sybil Barsky Grucci, State College, PA*

Trina and Arthur Harrison, Williamsport, PA*

Michelle Louise Hendy, Sandy, UT

Harvey Herzog, Pueblo CO

Dr. Herb Hindler & Cynthia Wood,

San Luis Obispo, CA

Dr. Erich and Hildegard Hirsch, Geneva, NY

David* and Lorraine Hoppenstein, Waco, TX

Mr. & Mrs.* Ted Jacobs, Lorain, OH*

Florence James, Johnstown, PA*

Betty R. Kalin, Spokane, WA*

Anne Kaplan, Jericho, NY

Suzanne Rosenbaum Katz,

Cedar Rapids, IA*

Philip A. Klein, State College, PA*

Elizabeth Kohl, West Hurley, NY*

Sanford and Kathryn Kranich, York, PA*

Morris Krinsky, Andover, MA*

Melvin Kruger, Macon, GA

Adele and Donald Langendorf, Carmel, CA

Myra Lebow & Frank Talenfeld,

Wheeling, WV

Ada Lefkowitz, Hiawassee, GA*

William and Sara Leon, Los Alamos, NM*

Samuel Letvin, Red Lion, PA

Alice and Arthur May, Mulberry, FL

Erna A. Miller, York, PA*

Herbert Mishkin, Monticello NY*

Willene and J. George Mitnick, Jasper, AL*

Herbert Moskowitz, Bayside, NY

Ruth Naftaly, Howard County, MD

Dr. & Mrs. Sol Neidich, Beaufort, SC*

Susi Ohringer, Cape Cod, MA*

Joe Oliner, Macon, GA*

Anne Parrish, Kerhonkson, NY*

Dr. Martin and Elaine Pearlman,

East Lansing, MI

Mathilde H. Piatt, Pensacola, FL*

Alina Rechnic,Evansville, IN*

Milton B. Recht, Weirton, WV*

Ben Rogers, Beaumont, TX*

Yetta Rosenberg, Pawtucket, RI*

Pearl Rosenshine, Steubenville, OH*

Albert Rosman, Lancaster, PA

Babette M. Rothschild, Columbus, GA

Julian Saul, Dalton, GA

Dr. Joel Schiffenbauer, Gainesville, FL

Ferdinand Schoenfeld, Portage, PA*

Yale Schulman, Altoona, PA

Samuel W.* and Marilyn Seidel,

Salisbury, MD

Gretl Sender, Erie, PA*

Morton and Sylvia Sheiman,

Williamsport, PA*

Jacob S. Shiff and Fannie Okamiansky

Shiff, Duxbury, MA*

Louis H. and Cecille M.* Shornick,

Jackson, MS

Mae S. Silver, Amherst, MA

Sylvia and Samuel Simon, Williamsport, PA

Rudolph Singer, Greeley, CO*

Dr. Wilbert P. Skirball, Greenville, SC*

Sanford* and Thelma Slutzker, Lorain, OH

Gail J. and Stephen Smith, Lorain, OH

Sam Stambor, Lima, OH*

Margarethe Steiner, Fargo, ND*

Ben-Hagai* and Miriam Steuerman,

Kenosha, WI

Sidney C. Sufrin, Amherst, MA*

Dr. Howard and Gail Tobin, Abilene, TX

Faye Unger, Lincoln, NE*

Florence Volk, Lancaster, PA

Daniel Walden, State College, PA

Esther Wedner, Soquel, CA

Harvey Weiner, Logan, WV*

Hedy Weinfeld, Monterey, CA*

Dr. Jack* and Berthe Weitsman,

Oak Ridge, TN

Dr. David Werner and Susan Ain Werner,

State College, PA

Norman Winer, Santa Fe, NM

Bernard* and Sylvia Witt, Columbus, GA

Sylvia Wolfson, Honolulu HI

Faye Zabin, Sioux City, IA*

Martha Zeff, Stockton, CA*

Gerard Zelenke, Wilmington, NC

Howard Zerden, Hickory, NC*

Book of Life:Roger and Deane Ackerman, Sumter, SC

Charles Alpern, East Liverpool, OH*

Abe and Janet Beerman, Johnstown, PA*

Wendy B. Block, Wilmington, NC*

William G. and Eleanor Brant,

Terre Haute, IN

Abraham Brenner* and Miriam

Prystowsky-Brenner, Winston-Salem, NC

Frances Brenner, Winston-Salem, NC

Mike and Wendy Brenner,

Winston-Salem, NC

Jean Fishel-Caplan, Hilton Head, SC

Harriette Oliner-Carter, Macon, GA

Elliot Cohen, Watertown, NY*

Willard L.*and Lois Cohodas, Marquette, MI

Annette Katz Cottingham, Corpus Christi, TX

Mirrel Davis, Titusville, PA*

Rebecca Davis, Titusville, PA*

Linda Diamond, Johnstown, PA*

Ruby Diamond, Tallahassee, FL*

Edward Effron, Princeton, WV *

Robert and Charlotte Effron, Princeton WV*

Joe and Reva Engel, Jasper, AL*

Samuel Epstein, Warren, PA*

John and Catherine Farahi, Reno, NV

Gusti W. Frankel, Winston-Salem, NC

Dr. David Frolich, Macon, GA

Larry Furth, Sparks, NV*

Margaret Anne Goldsmith, Huntsville, AL

Dr. Warren D. and Bobbie M. Goldstein,

Colorado Springs, CO

Aaron Goldweber, Pine Bluff, AR*

Aaron and Nancy Gottloeb, Petoskey, MI*

Lynette S. Green, Fayetteville, NC

Gail B. Greenblatt, Columbus, GA

Dr.Harry Gross, Pineville, LA

Saul Harris, Stamford, NY*

Dr. Stanley and Florence Hersh, Waco, TX

Rose Bagdon Hirsch, Ocala, FL*

Alice M., Eve and Saul M. Isen, Ithaca, NY

Abraham Kadish, Santa Fe, NM*

Doris Goodman Katz, Corpus Christi, TX

Gretchen and Louis Klaff,

Winston-Salem, NC*

Godfrey F. Klein, Keene, NH*

Sylvia Kopeloff, Muskegon County, MI*

Chip Koplin, Macon, GA

Bernice Lerner, Salisbury, NC*

Dr. David H. Levin, Pensacola, FL*

Gerson and Judy May, Jasper, AL

Herman and Ella Medwin, Carmel, CA*

Sybil Stern Mervis, Danville, IL

Dorothy Miller, Cincinnati, OH*

Maurine Muntz, Tyler, TX

Neil and Marilyn Port, Altoona, PA

Morris and Sharon Purcel, Macon, GA

Bernard Rapoport, Waco, TX *

Morris E. William N. and Betty Rashkov,

Spokane, WA*

Murray and Janis Robbins, Columbus, GA*

Edward E. and Hilda G. Rosen, Bangor, ME*

Alvrone Sater, Evansville, IN

Helene Schewel, Lynchburg, VA

Rosel H. Schewel, Lynchburg, VA

Maxine Schiffman, Columbus, GA

Barbara S. Schwartz, Wilmington, NC

Nathan and Louise Schwartz,

Wilmington, NC*

Jerome Shain, Wilmington, NC*

Stephen and Cheryl Shapiro, Wooster, OH

Morton and Eva Shavit, Petersburg, VA*

Dr. Richard M. Shiff, Plymouth, MA*

Sol Slotkin, Lancaster, PA*

Abraham and Rhea* Stern, Sumter, SC

Mose Sumner, Baytown, TX*

Max and Sara Swartz, Durham, NC*

Terri Union, Fayetteville, NC

Emanuel Volkin, Steubenville, OH*

Elliott and Susan Weinstein, York, PA

Berry J. Zander, Greenville, SC

Rachel Zarks, Macon, GA*

Rose Zarks, Macon, GA*

*of Blessed Memory

Tens of thousands of Jews live in hostile areas around the world where their Jewish identity puts them in constant state of danger. Ever increasing incidents of anti-Semitism, persistent volatility and radicalization in the Middle East, and widespread ripples of geopolitical unrest have resulted in loss of life and risk of imminent harm to thousands of Jewish men, women, and children.

For Jews in places like Ukraine, this is no longer just an ongoing concern. This is an emergency. The opportunity to make Aliyah to Israel provides a life- saving escape and the promise of freedom to preserve and celebrate Jewish identity.

Our capacity to bring Jews home to Israel and successfully resettle them is dependent upon your support. Donate to Aliyah of Rescue today. $5,000 brings a Jewish family to Israel. Visit us at jfna.org/Network or call (212) 284-6584 to make your donation.

When sending

aid is not enough, it’s time

to send a rescue

mission.®