“If everything around seems dark, look again, you may be the light.”

- Rumi

 A FOCUS ON IMPACT: The Women’s Fund inaugural grants will support the needs of women and girls in Israel impacted by the Israel-Hamas war.

Women in Israel are processing severe trauma and loss, rape, single parenthood, enormous caretaking demands, internal displacement, and more. They need care that prioritizes their experiences. And yet, during times of conflict, support tailored uniquely to women and girls often falls by the wayside.

WHAT WE ARE DOING: The Jewish Community Foundation’s Women’s Fund formed its first grantmaking committee charged with providing swift emergency support to women and girls using a gender-based equity grantmaking lens. The Fund will distribute $100,000 in grants to organizations, focus on three areas of care, and reflect input from sources on the ground in Israel. The focus areas include specialized trauma and therapeutic services, relocation support, and aid for single mothers. Look out for an announcement about the grant allocations in late December.

HOW YOU CAN ENGAGE: We invite you to learn more about what women in Israel are facing and how we can help meet their ongoing needs during a special communal learning event in early 2024. Hear from women leading the emergency efforts in Israel and learn how to get involved in a second round of grantmaking. Invitation to follow.

LEARNING TOGETHER: What does solidarity demand of us now?

Our community has rallied to meet this moment. The question now is how do we move forward as a community with diverse perspectives?

To consider this, the Jewish Community Foundation invites you to an intimate zoom conversation with renowned scholar Dr. Yehuda Kurtzer, President of the Shalom Hartman Institute.

Together, we will explore what solidarity can and must look like today and how we can continue showing up for Israel and one another. The session will be held on December 18^th from 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM and can accommodate up to 40 people. Please register by December 13^th.

AMPLIFYING COMMUNAL GIVING: Join our community of donors participating in the Donor Advised Fund match campaign to support local partner agencies!

SO FAR: The Jewish Community Foundation’s Donor Advised Fund Partner Agency Matching Program has received $180,000 in increased donations over last year making those gifts eligible for our matching program and allowing us to infuse an additional $360,000 into Jewish Greater Washington. With more than 20 organizations receiving matches so far, JCRC is the first organization to reach their $25,000 matching cap.

And we’re not done yet: Our goal is to distribute $1 million more this calendar year than last — which means now is a great time to give!

GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND: Our partner agencies are responding to growing challenges and laying the groundwork for a bright and positive future. They are helping:

• People of all backgrounds learn about and participate in Jewish life and rituals, connect with Israel, and build meaningful Jewish communities.
  
  
• Children and teens form Jewish identities rooted in pride and joy through camps, youth groups, and day schools, while confronting and educating against rising antisemitism.
  
  
• University students, faculty, and staff combat and manage the acute rise of antisemitism on campus, and have a safe place to live, work, and study.
  
  
• Temporarily displaced Israeli families receive Jewish education, and psychological, relocation, and communal support.
  
  
• Serve those in need locally through human services, including psychological support, safety for those facing domestic abuse, housing, and elder care.
  
  
• …and much more.

“The match program has created a powerful opportunity toward new conversations with donors we've been in deep relationship with and with donors who we might just be getting to know. Especially during these incredibly challenging times on-campus, it's been incredibly helpful in bringing in added funds so we can stay focused on our key priority — our students.”

– Adena Kirstein, Executive Director, GW Hillel

ON OUR RADAR: Updates on issues we’re tracking.

COMBATING ANTISEMITISM

A snapshot:

• A recent poll conducted by JFNA found 70% of American Jews feel less secure following the October 7^th terror attacks in Israel.
  
  
• A survey conducted by Hillel found that 1 in 3 Jewish college students have felt the need to hide their identity on campus since October 7^th. And 73% of Jewish students have experienced or witnessed antisemitism since the start of the 2023-2024 school year.
  
  
• According to AJC's 2022 report on antisemitism, 67% of Jewish Americans have seen antisemitism online or on social media in the past year.
  
  
• #StandUpToJewishHate reports that Jewish hate is up 388% in the United States.

SAFEGUARDING DEMOCRACY

Resource alert: Through a series of interviews, Democracy Funders Network examines what it would take to shape the future of American democracy so that it supports positive social outcomes. Key finding: We have the agency to shape our individual and collective futures and those of our descendants. Read the report.

OF NOTE

As mentioned: You can double your contribution to the critical work going on in our community by participating in our Donor Advised Fund (DAF) Partner Agency Marching Program..

In partnership with Federation, we will match any new or increased DAF allocations of $2,500 - $15,000 to a local eligible partner agency. Matching grants will be capped at $15,000 per donor and $25,000 per agency in 2023 and reset in 2024. Our matching campaign runs through the end of 2024.

Don’t have a Donor Advised Fund with the Jewish Community Foundation? We can help you open one!

When you open your DAF, you will gain access to our expertise on social issues in the Jewish community and the broader world. Your DAF allows you to make charitable gifts to your fund when most convenient for your tax or financial planning, and to distribute funds anytime to qualified 501c3 charities and causes you care about.

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.