09/04/2024
In Their Own Words ... What Does Federation Mean To Them?
Cleveland Hillel Foundation
Jewish campus life has been a great part of our Jewish community’s focus for so many generations. Thousands of students coming to our college campuses have relied on a thriving and welcoming Hillel to support their Jewish journey as young adults, often experiencing their first real opportunities to develop a personal and independent Jewish identity. Without the support of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, Hillel would not be able to help them make strong and lasting connections to their Jewish community. Today – more than ever – students need our community’s support, and thanks to the Federation we can rise to the challenge, ensuring our community embraces them all throughout their college experience.
Jared Isaacson, Executive Director
Fuchs Mizrachi School
The Jewish Federation of Cleveland is the tone setter for our community. Federation models for us what a focus on community, responsibility and achdut (unity) can look like. Their ability to pull the Jewish community together to support Jewish Cleveland (and beyond) is inspiring.
More than that, we simply couldn’t create the top-notch educational experience the Fuchs Mizrachi School offers without the guidance, resources, and encouragement of the Federation. Knowing that they have our back and that they are true partners allows us to meet the needs of our community. I’m not sure how we would do it without them.
Rabbi Avery Joel, Head of School
Hebrew Academy of Cleveland
The Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland was the first Federation in the United States to support a Jewish day school when the Hebrew Academy of Cleveland became its affiliate in 1948. Since then, Federations across the country have embraced day school education recognizing its seminal role in Jewish identity and continuity. Our Federation’s leadership, guidance, resources, support, services and security help make Cleveland one of the most thriving Jewish communities. For its part, the Hebrew Academy of Cleveland contributes to the 75 year mutually beneficial partnership through its growing and strengthening Jewish Cleveland, vibrant education for the community, Israel education, graduates who continue their education in Israel with hundreds residing there, and its over 7,000 alumni who have pursued virtually all areas of accomplishment in communities across the globe.
Rabbi Simcha Dessler, Menahel/Educational Director
Hillel at Kent State University
The Jewish Federation of Cleveland is vital to Hillel at Kent State University. As a beneficiary agency, the support we receive enriches the lives of hundreds of students every year. The Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s support means that students have access to all Hillel activities and resources at no cost. This includes weekly kosher meals, Shabbat and holiday programming, mental health counseling, Jewish learning, travel to Israel and so much more. Hillel at Kent State University is proud to be a beneficiary agency of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland.
Rachel Felber, Executive Director
Bellefaire JCB
Bellefaire JCB is grateful for the ongoing support of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland that enables our agency to fulfill our mission. Through this partnership, we are able to deliver critical services to our Jewish community, including the Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program, Jewish Day Schools counseling program and prevention services through SAY Social Advocates for Youth. With no other funding source available for these programs, Bellefaire JCB would not be able to meet the needs of these children and their families without the support provided by the Jewish Federation. Our community is stronger and our future is brighter because of this partnership.
Beth Cohen Pollack, Director of Organizational Advancement, Wingspan Care Group
Joint Distribution Committee
The Jewish Federation of Cleveland is a key partner to the Joint Distribution Committee, sharing our mission to save Jewish lives and strengthen Jewish communities across the globe. From JDC’s day one, Federation leadership, expertise, and support have powered everything we do: Life-saving humanitarian aid to the world’s most vulnerable Jews, cultivating the next Jewish leaders, addressing Israel’s burning social challenges, and so much more. For 27 years, our profound partnership in St. Petersburg has supported the Jewish community’s extraordinary renewal and growth, and we look forward to continuing our strategic work together in these challenging times, meeting Jewish needs worldwide.
Reut Friedman, Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships
Jewish Family Service Association
When I talk about how like who we are and what we do (to) evolve as the needs of the community also evolve, the Federation is always right there with us, side by side. Celebrating these incredible milestones, I think, speaks so much to the importance of history and legacy and you know the value of the history that came before us and importance of the foundation that carries us into the future.
Susan Bischel, President and CEO
Joseph and Florence Mandel Jewish Day School
The support provided by the Jewish Federation of Cleveland to Mandel JDS is critical in allowing us to operate our mission and educate future Jewish leaders. The Federation provides crucial financial resources to Mandel JDS that help us operate and aid in ensuring that a Mandel JDS education can be affordable. The Federation invests in our educators and staff through the JEC. With the JEC’s backing, our teachers and staff get access to top-notch educational resources, curriculum support, and technology, ensuring we provide an innovative learning experience. The Federation brings together schools and agencies to help address critical topics like community security, Jewish identity, Israel advocacy and addressing financial instability.
Jay Leberman, Head of School
Maltz Museum
The Jewish Federation of Cleveland is more than a funding partner to the Maltz Museum. The Federation is a like-minded ally who provides guidance and resources to help us fulfill our mission. Our organizations celebrate Jewish heritage to share the beauty of our enduring culture. Equally important, we are a united force, promoting a more just, inclusive world, where people from all walks of life can thrive. The Maltz Museum and Jewish Federation of Cleveland have a shared vision to do good and strengthen our communities. We are grateful for their long-standing partnership as we work toward achieving our goals.
William Pearce, Marketing Manager
Mandel Jewish Community Center
I cannot state it strongly enough. Without the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, the critical work of the Mandel Jewish Community Center would be almost impossible. Not only does our Federation provide significant grist for our mill, the essential financial support necessary to fuel our various lines of our business, our Jewish Federation is also always looking out for ways to help us better meet the diverse needs of community. For us at the MJCC, Jewish Federation is not only a valued funding source, it is also a major thought and programmatic partner. Ashrenu. How fortunate are we to blessed with such a powerful source of support, inspiration and collegiality.
Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose, President and CEO
Partnership2Gether, Cleveland-Beit Shean-Emek HaMayanot
After almost 30 years of partnership between the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and the communities of Beit Shean and the Valley of Springs, our region would not be the same without Cleveland’s involvement. You empower individuals and grow people’s capabilities through programs to help youth at risk, STEM education, workforce development and build important ties between our three communities. Your support is more than friendship, it is about caring for each other and accepting our differences and learning to grow together. It is about being a part of a global Jewish family.
Dorit Natan-Lavy, Partnership Director, Partnership2Gether, Cleveland-Beit Shean-Emek HaMayanot
The Jewish Agency for Israel
Cleveland and The Jewish Agency for Israel share a long partnership and friendship based on our mutual love and commitment to the state of Israel and the Jewish people. The professional leadership of Cleveland, Steve Hoffman and Erika Rudin-Luria have been staunch friends and supporters of The Jewish Agency, helping us strategize and address all challenges. We have been honored with two past chairs of our board hailing from Cleveland – Chuck Ratner and Michael Siegal – both of whom worked tirelessly on behalf of the agency. Together, we have impacted tens of thousands of Israeli lives through programs like Youth Futures, Partnership, Aliyah, Masa and so many more. ... May you continue to go from strength to strength.
Danyelle Neuman, Chief of Sales Strategy
Yeshiva Derech Hatorah
The Jewish Federation of Cleveland is crucial to Yeshiva Derech Hatorah. It provides essential financial support, helping us maintain high-quality education and expand programming. The JFC’s resources and professional development opportunities enhance our curriculum, benefiting both students and staff, making them a key partner in fulfilling our educational mission. Additionally, the JFC unites the Jewish community together in achdut (unity), fostering collaboration among Jewish institutions, and strengthening the community’s shared goals. The JFC also provides critical security measures, ensuring the safety of our community and precious children. We are deeply grateful to the Jewish Federation for their unwavering support.
Rabbi Sender Stoll, Executive Director
– Compiled by Editor Bob Jacob
