Before sharing some tremendous stories of JCF Grants-in-Action that have been benefiting the South Jersey community in recent months, here's a shameless plug for the Fall 2024 JCF Grants Cycle:
Nonprofits serving Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties are welcome to apply for JCF Grants now through the application deadline date of Wednesday, October 30 at 5 pm. Up to $5,000 may be requested per application for new and innovative programs and services. Results will be announced by approximately December 1. Learn more: www.jcfsnj.org/grants
Now, onto some recaps from five completed initiatives that were funded all or in part by JCF Grant funding, congrats to all involved for making each of them a great success!
1.
Congregation Beth Tikvah (CBT) : Guest Song Leaders
As part of its Guest Song Leaders initiative, CBT hosted Marni Loffman (pictured, right; photo credit: CBT) in June during an open house that included a pre-Shabbat concert, a Musical Kabbalat Shabbat, and a Rabbi's Tisch.
Loffman is a composer, vocalist, educator, facilitator, and ritualist who fuses various musical styles including pop and jazz in her performances.
Nearly 60 community members attended.
2.
Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) : ADL Never Is Now Summit
Per Helen Kirschbaum of the JCRC's Raab Goodwin Center:
"The program (which took place earlier this year) gave students from Cherry Hill High Schools East and West the opportunity to join thousands of students at the ADL Never Is Now Summit in New York City." A total of 44 people attended, thanks to a JCF Grant, and here is some feedback from some of the students:
I am glad that I attended Never Is Now. It was very nice to be more informed about what’s happening and how people are being affected. I honestly didn’t know that Jewish people were being harmed and targeted since the attacks in October, so it was insightful to hear about it.
I learned how social media greatly influences our generation’s judgment and mass opinion. Many people will go along with what their favorite celebrities post online and be influenced by their choices. Many of these opinions can be harmful.
Attending this conference widened my perspective on current issues like the conflict going on between Israel and Palestine. It also offered many opportunities and discussions with like-minded people. During this conference, I met new people and engaged in many different group discussions. Having these discussions with students of different backgrounds helped open my mind towards certain topics.
I plan to educate my peers and school community about issues that we talked about in the conference through the school newspaper, which I am a part of.
I am 100% glad to have attended this event. I am so thankful for having been provided this opportunity. It was really awesome and inspiring to be with thousands of other individuals from across the country, all with the love and empathy needed to combat hate.
3.
Kellman Brown Academy (KBA) : Israeli Scouts Friendship Caravan
Thanks to Shira Weinstein, Director of Student Services, School Counselor & Grant Programs at KBA for this recap and accompanying photo....
In 2023-2024, KBA welcomed the Israeli Scouts Friendship Caravan for a day of learning in Hebrew about Israel. The visit included multi-media games, unique programs about Israel, and a culminating concert of singing and dancing that had everyone up and dancing along. As you know, Hebrew, music and the arts are all essential parts of a Kellman Brown Academy education, and our school is committed to providing our students with the highest quality programs. This program was no exception. Todah Rabah and thank you for helping us bring this special, talented group of young pre-army Israelis to Kellman Brown Academy and affording our students to share the love with them in this trying time of war in Israel. We value and appreciate the bonds of friendship the Scouts helped to teach our students and we thoroughly enjoyed the full day of programming they shared with our school!
4.
Raise the Bar Family Services : Social Squad Summer Camp
Karly Forman Cohen, Executive Director of Raise the Bar Family Services, shared this uplifting update from a JCF Grant-funded program held over the summer for 10 excited participants (pictured, right and at top, photos courtesy of Raise the Bar):
From July 15-19th, we hosted Raise the Bar’s inaugural summer program for our Social Squad participants, ranging in age from 13 to 21. Our participants are all diagnosed with either autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or Downs Syndrome. The camp program included lots of craft activities, yoga, a horticultural planting activity, community walks, and field trips. The camp was incredibly successful, and each camp participant built social skills throughout the week, cultivated friendships with their peers, and tried new activities.
5.
Weinberg Commons/JFCS : Weinberg Wellness Fitness Classes and Health Checks
Thanks to Ronni Trainor, Jewish Family & Children's Service's Supportive Services Coordinator at the Jewish Federation's Weinberg Commons, here is a lightly-edited update on fitness classes and health checks that were hosted monthly for the past year, which benefited several dozen older adults:
Chair Yoga has provided our seniors with an effective, low-impact program for joints and improvement of all body flexibility while maintaining their balance to decrease stress, blood pressure, and more.
Fall Prevention is Vital increases the balance of our seniors and has improved their mental clarity. We have received several testimonials from our participants, one of which stood out from a 73-year-old woman with diabetes. She indicated that she has not danced at a family mitzvah celebration or wedding in six years. After one year of diligently participating in this program, in addition to others, she has recently seen two nephews get married, and they couldn't pull her off the dance floor!
Thank you to the five organizations that brought these wonderful programs to life; the Jewish Community Foundation, Inc. is proud to support each of them through JCF Grant funding.
Remember to submit applications for the Fall 2024 JCF Grants Cycle, and in the meantime, Chag Sukkot Sameach!
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