Friends,
As the year ends, we look back at events, visitors, and achievements— and yes, the challenges—the Tidewater Jewish community experienced in 2016.
Our gratitude toward this community’s commitments, its accomplishments, its devotion and its dedication to meeting the challenges—facing not just Tidewater, but Israel, Europe, the Former Soviet Union, and so many communities around the world—is profound.
You came, with hundreds and thousands of others, to Federation-sponsored community events, often put on with the help of partner agencies, synagogues and countless volunteers: CRC’s Israel Today Forum, the Holocaust Commission’s Yom Hashoah Holocaust Day of Remembrance, Tidewater Together with Scholar-in-Residence Rabbi Eric Yoffe, the Tzedeakah Wine Tasting Event, What We Carry II film premiere at the sold-out Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Family Shabbats and a mission trip to Israel.
You listened carefully to Olga Meshoe, an attorney and human rights activist from South Africa, dispel the myth that Israel is an apartheid state and Matti Friedman, formerly with the Associated Press speak about media’s biased coverage of Israel. Your response and offers of assistance were informed, heartfelt, generous and immediate.
And you supported our UJFT Annual Campaign through generous donations. Your gift impacted every aspect of Jewish life in Tidewater, last year providing 9,000 Kosher Meals on Wheels to homebound seniors, helping pay bills and buy medication for more than 400 people in dire financial need, providing funding and scholarships to 400 students in local schools and camps.
Your impact extended far beyond Tidewater, too, and with your help we can continue to meet challenges, both existing and new, and secure the future for future generations in Tidewater, in Israel and globally. You gave to our extended Jewish family in Israel, in the Ukraine, in Hungary and in Romania.
Thank you for your contributions. Please consider making an end-of-the-year gift to the UJFT Annual Campaign. Beyond the tax benefits, you’ll help so many others through your tzedakah, the expression of your Jewish values and commitment to this community and to Israel.
However, it is not only through UJFT that one can make an end of the year gift and support our community’s valiant efforts of Klal Yisrael—of one Jew being responsible for one another. The Tidewater Jewish Foundation (TJF) is here to partner with you and your family on several exciting and new initiatives to strengthen our community.
Here are few ideas to consider before the year ends.
TJF offers two unique matching gift programs with limited amount of funds available. You may create a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) or philanthropic fund with at least $7,500 which will be matched by an additional $2,500 from TJF to create a philanthropic fund in your name of $10,000 or more. hrough this fund, you may pass on your philanthropic legacy to your children (see ad on p. 25). TJF also offers a “mini-Donor Advised Fund” as part of the newly launched B’nai Tzedek Teen Philanthropy program. With an initial gift of $250, teens can have a philanthropic fund (or mini Donor Advised Fund). TJF will match a gift (up to $250).
In addition to these two matching gift program for Donor Advised Funds, TJF recently launched Life & Legacy Program to promote after-lifetime giving to benefit the Jewish community. Ten local organizations have been accepted into this program.
TJF representatives are happy to meet with you to discuss your philanthropic goals and develop a giving strategy that makes sense for you and your family. We appreciate your continued generosity and feel grateful to be part of such a remarkable community.
Have a Happy Hanukkah full of light and joy!
Harry Graber
United Jewish Federation of Tidewater
Scott Kaplan
United Jewish Foundation