GRANTEE SPOTLIGHT: ITACH-MA'AKI — Women Lawyers for Social Justice  

Since 2001, Itach-Ma’aki has been hard at work providing free legal aid to vulnerable women across Israel and pushing for legislation that supports women’s rights and the wellbeing of Israeli civil society. Today, Itach-Ma’aki’s urgent work continues as they seek to support women impacted by the war, including Bedouin, Palestinian, Haredi, Ethiopian-Israeli, and Russian-speaking communities.

SAY MORE: Since October 7^th, Itach-Ma'aki has expanded its efforts, opening joint Jewish-Arab emergency relief centers in the Negev where they can provide therapeutic support services and double down on their efforts to promote discourse about gender within Israel’s diverse communities, strengthen female leadership, and advocate for important legal and legislative policies facing women. In April, our Fund for Women and Girls granted Itach-Ma'aki $30,000 to support their critical work.

YOUR IMPACT: Our Foundation community gave more than ever before

This past year, fundholders and donors gave $24 million across a range of focus areas. This marks a 30% increase from 2022 and the highest level of giving on record from fundholders and donors of the Jewish Community Foundation.

SAY MORE: 63% of your giving stayed within our local community providing support to vital organizations. And, since October 7^th, you distributed nearly $4 million to Israeli organizations and to U.S.-based Israel emergency relief efforts.

Want to keep growing your impact? Contact us to discuss your goals and learn about individual and joint giving opportunities.

INNOVATION IN ACTION: Bold programs ready for your support

We are committed to keeping you apprised of projects that are responding to urgent and systemic challenges. Below are three that may not have been on your radar:

Kibbutz Nahal Oz: the closest Israeli community to Gaza was attacked early on October 7^th and remains evacuated. The community is raising funds to rebuild the kibbutz, including a new educational and therapeutic complex to serve its children when they return to school in 2025. Give directly to Nahal Oz. Please include a note that your gift is intended for the educational complex.

Project Kesher Ukraine: is raising funds for its wartime programs and efforts to sustain Jewish life over the long-term. These programs are supporting Jewish women with access to childcare, emergency notification services, support groups, and strengthening Jewish life. Project Kesher Ukraine also continues to underwrite evacuations, provide grants to displaced women, address women’s health needs, and build women’s leadership in order to sustain Jewish life. Give directly to Project Kesher’s Ukraine.

The Equity Lab’s Seeding Disruption Remix (SDX): is raising funds for its forward-thinking program. Through the SDX fellowship, DC high school students learn about racial injustice, its root causes, and how to disrupt it. They also learn how to build relationships across lines of difference with each other and adults in the community. Give directly to SDX.

WHAT WE’RE TRACKING

Combating Antisemitism: Federation is granting an additional $750,000 to local organizations and our 11 local Hillels to address the rising challenges of antisemitism in high schools and colleges. We will continue to share updates on our community’s work to enact Federation’s six-point framework for combating antisemitism.

Building Solidarity on Campus: Solidarity is critical to fighting racism, antisemitism, and preserving democracy. We were excited to see the following commitments to solidarity announced this spring:

• The Academic Engagement Network (which works to create welcoming college campuses and advocate for Jewish inclusion) will provide grants to two Historically Black Colleges in South Carolina to forge Black-Jewish relationships.
  
  
• Robert Kraft donated $1 million to the United Negro College Fund to support Black-Jewish partnership programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
  
  
• Dillard University president, Rochelle L. Ford, announced the school's plan to revitalize the Center for Black Jewish Relations in New Orleans.

OF NOTE

How to approach difficult and nuanced conversation about Israel: Join the Foundation on Wednesday, July 24^th and Wednesday, July 31^st  for a two-part workshop on navigating difficult conversations about the Israel-Hamas conflict, presented in partnership with Resetting the Table. Learn more and register.

Juneteenth: Community organizations are coming together in solidarity to learn about and celebrate African-American liberation. See what is happening in our area.

Celebrate Pride: Explore the list of communal events (including Pride Shabbat).

A good match: Since October 1^st, 21 local agencies have received DAF matching campaign contributions from donors and matching funds yielding $860,000. Roughly $60,000 remain in matching funds, which organizations can access through the end of June.  

Stay tuned: The Fund for Women and Girls is building out learning and giving opportunities for the fall. Keep an eye on your inbox!

Give to causes you care about inside and outside the Jewish community.

Take advantage of collaborative giving and learning opportunities.

Contribute to a permanent legacy of support for Federation’s family of agencies.