Weekly Round-up April 29-May 3
Dear Colleagues,
Over the last two weeks, anti-Israel protests engulfed hundreds of campuses, and according to the AP, a total of more than 2,000 people have been arrested. Read our statement and share our Instagram post about what university administrators must do to ensure the safety of their Jewish students. A number of Federations have also issued powerful statements. Examples include Los Angeles, New York, and Dallas. We are working in close coordination with national partners and will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates as they become available. Eric Fingerhut, along with two other alumni of Northwestern, sent a letter to the board of the university calling on them to dismiss the president for giving in to the protester’s demands.
Earlier this week, the Antisemitism Awareness Act passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support. This came after months of advocacy and lobbying efforts led by Jewish Federations. This bill would cement the policy of the current and previous administration and require the usage of IHRA definition of Antisemitism by the Department of Education. We commended the House for passing the bill, which now moves to the Senate. Click on our Action Alert to reach out to your senators and urge them to vote for it.
Last week, President Biden signed a bill to provide much-needed military aid to both Israel and Ukraine, along with a $400 million increase in funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). The $26 billion aid package to Israel also contains humanitarian relief for civilians in Gaza. The legislation will also force TikTok to divest from Chinese ownership, or face a ban in the US. These have all been major priorities of our advocacy this year, and their passage demonstrates the power of our collective political action, which would not be possible without all your participation and passion.
Building on the success of LiveSecure, which has significantly expanded the number of community security initiatives across our system, this week we announced a new $10 million Emergency Security Grant Fund, made possible through the partnership and support of the Tepper Foundation. This fund is aimed at addressing urgent increased security needs since October 7, while also supporting our collective efforts in building and strengthening essential community relationships with local faith-based institutions. All US-based Federations that have received a LiveSecure grant and support institutions providing Jewish early childhood-aged programming are eligible to apply. See the grant application and the FAQ. Applications are due by Friday, May 17.
Negotiations continue in Cairo for the release of the hostages in return for a cease fire. The US and Egypt are mediating the discussions. Our most recent Israel update has more. Also, see our most recent Community Mobilization Dispatch, which focuses on Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit this week to the Middle East—his seventh since 10/7.
For additional updates and reminders, please see below.
Annual Campaign Toolkit: The new Annual Campaign Toolkit showcases the powerful work that Federation is doing here at home, in Israel, and around the world. The toolkit is designed to drive fundraising efforts through a collection of customizable videos, photos, social media posts, and a direct mail package. It contains everything that Federations need to connect with donors and ignite the spirit of giving in their community.
Supporting and Strengthening Jewish Life Post 10/7: Please join us on Thursday, May 9 at 4 pm ET for a webinar for Federation professionals and lay leaders on the findings on a Jewish Federations of North America study, funded and supported by The Diane & Guilford Glazer Foundation, that focused on how both American Jews and the American population in general are relating to the war, how Jews are feeling increasingly vulnerable due to the rise in antisemitism, and how many sectors of the Jewish community are experiencing a surge in interest and investment.
LGBTQ+ Safety & Security Planning for Jewish Professional and Lay Leaders: JEDI invites Jewish Jewish communal professionals and lay leaders to a webinar on Thursday, May 9 at 11:30 am ET to acquire a deeper understanding of the impacts of antisemitism on LGBTQ+ Jews and to learn how to design programs and communal spaces that address the safety and security needs of the LGBTQ+ community post-October 7th. Also, on the same day at 6 pm, there will be a webinar on how to deal in particular with antisemitism at Pride celebrations, which has included demands for Jews to conceal their Stars of David and other Jewish symbols.
Yom HaZikaron Resources: Israel’s Memorial Day begins this year on Sunday evening, May 12. It takes on new meaning this year in the wake of 10/7, the ongoing war with Hamas, and the precipitous rise in antisemitism around the globe. These events have all contributed to a deeper awareness both of those who have died fighting for Israel and those who are still held captive by Hamas. Our team has curated a set of Yom HaZikaron materials including stories, essays, prayers, social media content, and other resources that can be used for your planning.
Health and Human Services Fly-In: Join us on Tuesday, June 4 and Wednesday, June 5 in Washington, DC. Jewish Federation leaders will urge Congress to increase funding for the Holocaust Survivor Assistance Program (HSAP) and to boost funding to allow people with disabilities and older adults to save for future needs without falling into poverty. Participants will also advocate for the extension of telehealth flexibilities to ensure continued access to mental health and other essential care services. Click here to register.
Executive Leadership Program: Applications are open for Cohort VI (2025-2026) of theExecutive Leadership Program of the Mandel Institute for Nonprofit Leadership.This is an 18-month fellowship that is designed to prepare outstanding midcareer professionals for senior leadership roles. Fellows analyze the changing communal landscape, sharpen their guiding visions of Jewish life, and expand their leadership and management skills. Cohort VI will be comprised of professionals who work in a wide variety of Jewish nonprofit settings, including Federations and JCRCs, JCCs, Hillels, human services agencies, social action organizations, advocacy groups, private foundations, and start-ups. The Mandel Institute covers travel and program expenses. Candidates must reside in the U.S. or Canada. Applications are due on Thursday, June 13.
FRD Leadership Mission: Registration has launched for this year’s FRD Leadership Mission, which will travel to Berlin and Israel from Monday, July 8 to Saturday, July 13. Join us at this critical time to bear witness and to experience first-hand Federations’ impact on emerging needs during this perilous and vulnerable moment for both Jewish communities.
Grassroot Quick Funds Available: A new grant opportunity, Natan Quick Funds: Grassroots Efforts, has been launched to provide microgrants of up to $5,000 to grassroots community initiatives that address the surge in antisemitism. Jewish Federations are proud to partner in making this opportunity available and in providing additional community mobilization resources. Please share this information, along with the application, with your community members.
The Landscape of Collective Giving: A Look at the Power of Giving Circles: Join Amplifier, Powered by Jewish Federations, on Thursday, May 16 at 1 pm ET for a webinar to hear insights from the 2023 Landscape of Collective Giving Research Study, along with actionable takeaways for you to launch collective giving initiatives at your Federation. New research from Philanthropy Together, Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy and Colmena-Consulting showcases the growth and diversity of collective giving groups in the United States — a billion-dollar movement that advances equity across the philanthropic system. We will also share findings specific to the Jewish Giving Circle movement, and how Amplifier can help you in your collective giving endeavors, whether it is for donor engagement, retention, or leadership development.
V'ahavta: Community NARCAN Trainings: Join BeWell, the Blue Dove Foundation, and Selahfor a one-hour Community NARCAN Training on Zoom this May 8, 16, and 21. In a world in which 12 people overdose every hour, the V’Ahavta Initiative declares that learning how to save a life is part of what it means to walk through the world lovingly. The Community NARCAN Trainings will be an opportunity to learn about how substance use affects the Jewish community, including young people and those who care about them. It will enable participants to become certified in the use and application of NARCAN to reverse a drug overdose, and to use Jewish wisdom to inspire us as harm reduction ambassadors. Each participant will receive a NARCAN kit upon completion of the training.
Jewish Education: Join us for a four-part online series led by Rabbi Mike Uram for all Federation professionals, beginning on Wednesday, May 15 from 1 to 2:30 pm ET. The series will unpack Israel’s history and delve into key features of Israel and Zionism. No prior knowledge is needed. Register to participate or click here to learn more. Also, on two Thursdays, June 20 and 27 from 3:00-4:30 pm ET, learn from Rabbi Uram how to develop and deliver a d’var Torah with confidence in both written and oral formats, covering essential ways to structure your message and resources to help interpret the text, including time to practice. No prior knowledge is needed. Register or click here to learn more.
Connect for Good: Chat with Ukraine: Jewish Federations’ Global Volunteer Hub has launched a new virtual volunteering initiative, in partnership with ENGin, that matches Ukrainians with English speakers for one-on-one weekly conversation practice and cultural exchange. This is an accessible, meaningful way to make a difference-- no prior teaching/ tutoring experience required. Volunteers also participate in monthly Jewish learning sessions to ground their service in Jewish values. Minimum commitment is one hour a week for three months. Interested in creating a cohort? Contact Hannah Miller with questions.
Film About Sexual Violence on 10/7: Sheryl Sandberg’s shattering new documentary, Screams Before Silence, which is available to view on YouTube, documents the horrific sexual violence committed by Hamas on 10/7. Please circulate the film and its promotional material widely to bring attention to this important dimension of the terrorist attacks.
Shabbat Shalom,
Shira Hutt
Executive Vice President
Jewish Federations of North America