» Annual Report

2019 Annual Report

Summary

Dear Friends,

Since our founding more than 115 years ago, your Jewish Federation of Cleveland has seen its share of change – from the geographic expansion from our earliest neighborhoods, to the continued diversification of our community members, to the ever-evolving needs of Jews here and abroad.

Through this change, one thing has remained the same: the commitment of our community to keep Cleveland one of the most vibrant and caring Jewish communities in the world.

This commitment can be seen in the more than 13,000 people who contributed a record $33.1 million during the most recent Campaign for Jewish Needs, which provides the critical dollars needed to keep Jewish Cleveland healthy, safe, and growing.

It also can be seen in the way in which your Jewish community – Federation, agencies, schools, and other community partners – have demonstrated strength, caring, and a resolve to work together to face the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thanks to the collaborative efforts of professionals and volunteers throughout Jewish Cleveland, food is getting to the hungry, care is reaching the elderly, support is being provided to those with financial challenges … the list goes on and on.

At a time when many organizations and businesses have temporarily closed, your community has been able to stay open to ensure vital programs and services – many of which are highlighted in this summary report – continue to be provided in a safe and healthy manner.

And we are able to do all this and more because of you. We are incredibly grateful to you for entrusting us as your partner. It’s during uncertain times like these that we can be the proudest of how this community stays together regardless of the changes around us.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees and the professional staff at the Federation, we thank you for your continued support and commitment to Jewish Cleveland. Likewise, we are eternally grateful to the talented teams at our beneficiary agencies for their dedicated service to our diverse community here and around the world.
J. David Heller
Board Chair
Erika B. Rudin-Luria
President

In 2019...

  • Investing significant resources in preventing, preparing for, and responding to potential security threats to our community, including enhancing security at 63 local institutions
  • Assisting more than 700 local Holocaust survivors with their basic needs to allow them to live with dignity
  • Providing access to spiritual support at our area hospitals through three Jewish Community Chaplains
  • Providing volunteer opportunities for more than 2,000 community members of all ages

we cared for one another

  • Investing $1.8 million in synagogue congregational schools and early childhood programs that foster a strong Jewish identity
  • Delivering school-based counseling through Bellefaire JCB to help students in local Jewish Day Schools and public schools – including Beachwood, Shaker Heights, Solon, and Orange – address mental health needs
  • Providing a wide range of leadership development programs, including Women IN Philanthropy’s Coaching Circles, Young Leadership Division’s LEADS program, and the Mandel Symposium

we prepared for the future

  • Providing advocacy training to combat anti-Semitism
  • Deepening connections to Israel through personal experiences and programs offered by the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI)
  • Hosting more than 30,000 attendees at various exhibits and performances through our Cleveland Israel Arts Connection
  • Supplying transportation to more than 6,000 students in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District to attend programming at the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage

we shared our perspectives

  • Offering safe space, kosher meals, and counseling to community members seeking shelter through Jewish Family Service Association’s (JFSA) Hebrew Shelter Home
  • Helping 150 families navigate financial crisis and avoid homelessness through JFSA’s Forward Focus
  • Assisting Jews living in poverty around the world through the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee

we repaired our world

Your Federation ...

Hosted educational and cultural exchange programs for nearly 90 ISRAELI PROFESSIONALS and leaders in Cleveland

Offered more than 60 Israel-related programs on LOCAL college campuses  through Hillel

Created ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES in Tel Aviv for college students from Cleveland through Onward Israel

Developed INNOVATIVE CLASSROOM MATERIALS AND CURRICULA for Jewish education in Cleveland that are used throughout North America

Supported NEARLY 40 FAMILY MEMBERS of people with dementia and Alzheimer’s to learn best practices from “Savvy Caregiver” workshop at JFSA and Menorah Park

Provided Narcan TRAINING FOR OVER 130 PEOPLE to prepare them to respond in the case of an opioid overdose in the Jewish and general community

Convened quarterly 35 COMMUNITY AGENCIES that serve Jewish community members with financial needs in a Financial Distress Roundtable

Nurtured the relationship between Beit Shean/the Valley of Springs, Israel and the city of Cleveland, which adopted THIS ISRAELI COMMUNITY as a sister city in 2019

Exposed more than 100 BUSINESS AND CIVIC LEADERS from across the Greater Cleveland community to the beauty, history, and cultural significance of Israel

Thank you JFC Security, LLC

In the face of the growing threat from anti-Semitism and xenophobia – which some estimate to be at near-historic levels – increased community security is no longer an option; it’s a necessity. Therefore, we are investing significant resources into further enhancing the level of security available in Jewish Cleveland. For example, through Federation’s security provider, we are increasing the number of highly trained, armed guards at our early childhood and preschool programs, schools, and synagogues, as well as those that patrol our community. Similarly, we are training more community members who work or volunteer at our beneficiary agencies to recognize signs of potential threats and how to handle various situations. We’re doing all this – and so much more – so people can live Jewishly without hesitation or fear.
“JFC Security, LLC — the Federation’s security provider — adds one more layer (of security) that we’re happy to have.”

Christopher Kostura, chief of police
Orange Police Department
“When a person who was unfamiliar to our congregants entered the building, we knew how to approach him because of the training we received.”

Renee Higer, executive director
Temple Emanu El
“Kids know they can come to school and feel safe and not worry.”

Rochel Fine, parent
Hebrew Academy of Cleveland

Every dollar makes a huge difference.

Campaign for Jewish Needs

Every year, Jewish Cleveland raises money for the CAMPAIGN FOR JEWISH NEEDS to help ensure our community’s vitality and vibrancy. We thank Campaign Chair Jeffrey J. Wild for his leadership over the past two years.

$33,102,355

RAISED IN THE 2020 CAMPAIGN FOR JEWISH NEEDS

13,000+

Donors

9,869

Gifts
including

1,502

NEW Gifts

65

NEW BEN-GURION SOCIETY GIFTS*
* For the 2020 Campaign for Jewish Needs, the Brunswick Companies’ sponsored a “BGS Challenge” that looked toincentivize at least 60 new Ben-Gurion Society gifts of $1,000 or more with an additional contribution of $1,000
** Agency is in candidacy status

38

CAMPAIGN BENEFICIARY AGENCIES
that help tens of thousands of people in Cleveland, Israel, and around the world

IN CLEVELAND

@Akiva High School
Bellefaire JCB
Cleveland Hillel Foundation
CWRU Siegal Jewish Lifelong Learning Program
Fuchs Mizrachi School
Gross Schechter Day School
Hebrew Academy of Cleveland
Hebrew Shelter Home
Hillel at Kent State University
Jewish Community Security
Jewish Education Center
Jewish Family Service Association
Joseph and Florence Mandel Jewish Day School
Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage
Mandel Jewish Community Center
Menorah Park
Montefiore
Yeshiva Derech HaTorah**

ACROSS THE COUNTRY

American Jewish Committee
Anti-Defamation League
BBYO
Hadassah
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society
Hillel at Miami University
Hillel at Ohio University
Hillel Foundation for Jewish Campus Life
JCC Association
Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Jewish Telegraphic Agency (70Faces Media)
Jewish War Veterans
National Council Supporting Eurasian Jewry (formerly NCSJ)
Network for Jewish Human Service Agencies (formerly AJFCA)

AROUND THE GLOBE

American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)
Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI)
Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA)
Overseas Connections Committee, Jewish Federation of Cleveland
World ORT
Ethiopian National Project

TOTAL GRANTMAKING & PROGRAM EXPENSES

LOCAL AGENCIES AND SERVICES

TOTAL JFC SUPPORT CAMPAIGN
ALLOCATION (1) 		OTHER FEDERATION
SUPPORT
@Akiva High School 180,173 180,173 -
Bellefaire JCB 1,301,760 1,132,085 169,675
Cleveland Hillel Foundation 801,883 648,472 153,411
Community Cemetery Support 279,466 - 279,466
Fuchs Mizrachi School 950,319 541,741 408,578 (2,4)
Gross Schechter Day School 933,344 461,334 472,010(2,4)
Hebrew Academy of Cleveland 2,938,128 1,283,219 1,654,909(2,4)
Hebrew Shelter Home 85,961 83,711 2,250
Hillel at Kent State University 311,373 233,255 78,118
Holocaust Survivor Initiative 498,284 -(5) 498,284
Jewish Community Security(6) 1,207,554 535,000 672,554
Jewish Federation of Cleveland 1,502,182 1,477,182 25,000
Jewish Education Center (incl. Fund for the Jewish Future*) 6,143,186 4,242,571 1,900,615
Jewish Family Service Association 5,992,432 2,636,337(5) 3,356,095
Joseph and Florence Mandel Jewish Day School 937,418 552,125 385,293(2,4)
Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage 549,140 226,230 322,910
Mandel Jewish Community Center 2,269,037 1,930,865 338,172
Menorah Park 1,141,224 441,465 699,759
Montefiore 540,860 364,797 176,063
Laura and Alvin Siegal College
of Judaic Studies Educational Foundation
(including funding for CWRU Siegal Lifelong Learning Program)		 276,345 276,345 -
Yeshiva Derech HaTorah(7) 916,040 262,500 653,540(4)
SUBTOTAL 29,756,109 17,509,407 12,246,702
1. Includes part of United Way of Greater Cleveland (UWGC) grant of $1,543,069. UWGC supports Bellefaire, JFSA, Mandel JCC, Menorah Park, Montefiore, and the Federation .2. Includes Centennial Initiative grants. 3. From the annual Campaign after deducting fundraising cost of 8.9 percent, one of the lowestoverhead costs of any charitable organization in Ohio .4. Includes funding for school security. 5. JFSA allocation includes Holocaust survivor support. 6. $187,500 of additional security grants paid directly to agencies are included elsewhere. 7. Candidacy status. * The Fund for the Jewish Future is a partnership ofcommunal agencies, synagogues, and schools thatdevelop and implement programs to dramaticallyenhance our community’s Jewish educationalsystem. The Fund is administered by the JewishEducation Center of Cleveland and received anallocation from the 2019 Campaign for Jewish Needsto support teacher training, enhanced technology,and educational opportunities for students, includingthose who have special needs. The Fund alsoprovides local synagogues with more than $1 millionin educational programs and services.

OVERSEAS AGENCIES AND SERVICES

TOTAL JFC SUPPORT CAMPAIGN ALLOCATION OTHER FEDERATION SUPPORT
Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) provides assistance to those in need and translates Jewish values into action on behalf of millions of Jews worldwide. Works in close partnership with the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC). Also supports Cleveland’s partnership in Beit Shean, and the Valley of Springs, the Ronald S. Lauder JDC camp in Szarvas, Hungary, and summer camps for children in the former Soviet Union. 10,457,162 9,004,836 1,452,326
Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Overseas Programs, under the direction of the Overseas Connections Committee, links Jews in Cleveland with Jews around the world. Programs include: advancing STEM education for elementary students in four communities in Israel; IDF Education Corps Projects and the Havat HaShomer army base for at-risk young men and women; I-Connect, increasing the number of young adults from Cleveland experiencing Israel; connecting Jews in Cleveland and Beit Shean, Israel; Bridge to the Future, a community change organization in Beit Shean, Israel; Jordan/Cross-Border Initiative, connecting Jordanians and Israelis; and the Cleveland/St. Petersburg Partnership for community-building programs in St. Petersburg, Russia and Jewish identity programs in six towns in its periphery. 3,064,524 3,040,973 23,551
SUBTOTAL 13,521,686 12,045,809 1,475,877

NATIONAL AGENCIES

TOTAL JFC SUPPORT CAMPAIGN
ALLOCATION
OTHER FEDERATION
SUPPORT
American Jewish Committee 136,580 58,500 78,080
Anti-Defamation League 80,936 58,500 22,436
BBYO 319,320 52,600 266,720
Hadassah 11,807 2,000 9,807
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society 15,000 15,000 -
Hillel at Miami University 78,653 67,060 11,593
Hillel at Ohio University 72,060 72,060 -
Hillel Foundation for Jewish Campus Life 308,360 120,000 188,360
JCC Association 115,500 115,500 -
Jewish Council for Public Affairs 92,000 68,500 23,500
Jewish Telegraphic Agency (70 Faces Media) 47,000 47,000 -
Jewish War Veterans 2,100 2,100 -
National Council Supporting Eurasian Jewry (formerly NCSJ) 10,000 10,000 -
Network for Jewish Human Service Agencies (formerly AJFCA) 7,800 7,800 -
SUBTOTAL 1,297,116 696,620 600,496

OTHER GRANTS FOR JEWISH PURPOSES

TOTAL JFC SUPPORT CAMPAIGN
ALLOCATION
OTHER FEDERATION
SUPPORT
Includes local synagogues, local and national Jewish organizations meeting educational and humanitarian needs, and international organizations that serve Jewish communities in need. 44,358,312 - 44,358,312
NORTHEASTERN OHIO CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS SERVING THE GENERAL COMMUNITY 13,846,869 - 13,846,869
CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS OUTSIDE NORTHEASTERN OHIO SERVING THE GENERAL COMMUNITY 3,269,754 - 3,269,754

$30,251,836

CAMPAIGN ALLOCATION
from the 2019 Campaign for Jewish Needs for FY 7/1/19 - 6/30/20

$75,798,010

OTHER FEDERATION SUPPORT
from donor advised and special purpose funds, supporting foundations,
the Endowment Fund for FY 7/1/18 - 6/30/19

GRAND TOTAL

$106,049,846

TOTAL GRANT MAKING BY CATEGORY

SOURCE OF GRANTS

* Does not include grants to the Campaign for Jewish Needs

Our endowment funds, donor advised funds, and supporting foundations, combined with the annual Campaign for Jewish Needs and Centennial Initiative for Jewish Cleveland fundraising, make the Federation one of Ohio’s largest grantmaking organizations — with over $106 million allocated from all sources in the 2019 fiscal year.

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