2017 | 2018 COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT WE BUILD A STRONG JEWISH FUTURE IN ROCHESTER, ISRAEL AND WORLDWIDE THROUGH PHILANTHROPY, ENGAGEMENT, EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY. OUR LOCAL KEY OVERSEAS PARTNERS SERVICES FEDERATION AT A GLANCE HILLEL ON COLLEGE THE FEDERATION ALLOCATIONS TO CAMPUSES: PROVIDES DIRECT OUR OVERSEAS SERVICES IN THESE PARTNERS MEAN THAT • Rochester Institute of Technology KEY AREAS: WHEREVER JEWS ARE IN NEED, WE ARE THERE: • SUNY Geneseo • Center for Holocaust Awareness and • Saving the world’s • University of Rochester Information (CHAI) poorest Jews PASSPORT SENIOR • Revitalizing Jewish life • PJ Library SERVICES • Empowering Israel • Teen enrichment • Rescuing victims of global emergencies • Young adults (ages 25-45) • Promoting religious freedom and equality • Social action in Israel • Interfaith dialogue • Israel advocacy • Women’s leadership • The Levine Center David Klein (center) made his first trip E t to Israel in honor of his 70th birthday t h c TM io e – and Israel’s - accompanied by his p j • LIFE & LEGACY i ro sons Alex and Randy, and community an P Na nal members, on our Federation mission. tio Cover Photo: Staff 1 2 BUILDING A STRONGER FUTURE It has been a year of new initiatives and record-setting achievements at our Jewish Federation and we would like to share some highlights with you. We are extremely grateful for the outpouring of community support that enabled us to make history by surpassing $5 million in our fundraising efforts this year – including unrestricted annual giving and supplemental gifts. INTRODUCING: This was a monumental achievement and a highlight of the year! Our campaign launched with two successful events, including our Joshua Society kickoff and our sold-out “An Evening with Andy Cohen.” ROC In 2017, a new strategic plan dedicated to building a strong Jewish future in Rochester, Israel and around the world through philanthropy, engagement, education and advocacy was approved. This plan includes several key assumptions for our work: CITY - Israel is a strong presence throughout our initiatives; - We are consistently conscious of how Federation interfaces with our community; JEWS RINA CHESSIN, PRESIDENT - Our departments work together to be maximally effective; - All of our work is driven by goals and evaluated for impact. After significant national and local research, We are well on our way to full implementation of the strategies set forth the Federation launched Roc City Jews, in the plan. a broad-based entity to engage Jewish post-grads, young professionals and young In partnership with the entire Jewish community, the LIFE AND parents in meaningful Jewish experiences and LEGACY™ program was introduced and has been wildly successful. We opportunities to socialize. have already met our goals, only nine months into the program. The community response has been outstanding and we are so thankful. We are launching the Levine Center in the fall of 2018, a comprehensive community-wide initiative to end hatred in all forms. This extraordinary development will have groundbreaking impacts on the Greater Rochester community and we are so proud to have it spearheaded by the Federation. We launched a Jewish Community Navigator to help support families coping with disabilities – another innovative approach engaging our Jewish institutions to ensure that we are welcoming to everyone. MEREDITH DRAGON, CEO You’ll learn more about a wonderful year of accomplishments and promise in these pages. We are tremendously grateful for the community’s support, guidance and partnership. None of this would have been accomplished without you! Thank you! We look forward to building on our successes in 2019. - Rina Chessin and Meredith Dragon Photos: Staff 3 4 INTRODUCING: IMPACT by the NUMBERS THE THE LEVINE CENTER OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION LEVINE OF GREATER ROCHESTER: CENTER $250,000 $1 Million Making history with the Levine x 4 years = Center of the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester Inspired by local philanthropist Todd Levine, COMMUNITY the Levine Center of the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester will lead our entire RELATIONS community in efforts to stem the tide of racism and other forms of hate and bias that infect all communities. Guided by our historic experience OTHER FEDERATION HIGHLIGHTS IN of anti-Semitism, we will develop strategies to equip citizens, institutions, youth and law TIKKUN OLAM, THE REPAIR OF THE WORLD, enforcement with the tools necessary to make THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL real and abiding change. Working in partnership with national and local “Supporting our Refugee Neighbors: A Rochester Community Response” organizations, the Levine Center will utilize (12/3/17) the broad network and pivotal position of the Federation to bring together civic, non-profit, business and interfaith leaders to examine issues and implement solutions. In addition, the Center will work with local school districts and community groups to develop a youth leadership program dedicated to social action. 500 75 10 bags & boxes volunteers local agencies of clothing and participated serving refugees household goods benefited “My grandparents were people of love, kindness and inclusion donated toward others,” says Todd Levine, who honors the legacy of William and Mildred Levine with this gift from their Foundation. “We want this Center to perpetuate their values and fight all of the negativity we see towards one another due to differences — with education, $17,300 = INVESTMENT IN FEDERATION PROVIDED communication and sharing the kindness that is in our natures.” PROGRAMMING IN COMMUNITY RELATIONS 5 6 by the INTRODUCING: IMPACT NUMBERS THE JEWISH COMMUNITY 30/8 NAVIGATOR We support area INCLUSION synagogues 30 teens received 8 hours of training When a child or other family member is in their efforts to enhance inclusion each to become madrichim (teaching diagnosed with a disability, the question of through Matan, providing coaching, assistants) specifically to help students how and where to access support can be with special needs overwhelming. professional development and curricular design support The innovative Jewish Community Navigator program, a resource for families coping with disabilities, addresses this need from a communal perspective. Launched in February 2018, the program is a partnership between AutismUp and the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester with funding support from the Max EDUCATION and Marian Farash Charitable Foundation. & ENGAGEMENT PJ LIBRARY HIGHLIGHTS: The Navigator links families in the Rochester Jewish community with needed services and In partnership with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation with each other, and consults with Jewish and with funding support from the Max and Marian Farash institutions to help them adapt their procedures Charitable Foundation, the Rochester Federation sponsors to meet the needs of constituents. PJ Library, providing the monthly gift of a Jewish-content book mailed to the home of children ages 6 months to 8 years. We also sponsor PJ Our Way, for ages 9 to 11, and Shalom PJ Baby, welcoming newborns in Jewish Rochester. “Meeting with the Jewish We hosted PJ Library Community Navigator was 451 families/648 children outreach events in: more helpful than I could currently receive monthly books Brighton have ever imagined,” Fairport noted one recipient of support. “She held my 863 families/ Irondequoit hand through a stressful Penfield time, helping me navigate 1,407 children Pittsford the inner workings of the have enrolled in Rochester Rochester special education system. PJ Library since inception Victor Because of her guidance, I feel assured that my child is set up for success in the Top and Bottom Photo: Staff coming school year.” $70,550 = INVESTMENT IN FEDERATION PROVIDED Center Photo: Stephen Shames PROGRAMMING IN JEWISH EDUCATION & ENGAGEMENT 7 8 IMPACT by the NUMBERS $175,000 = INVESTMENT IN PARTNERSHIP2GETHER WITH MODI’IN, ISRAEL Photo: Staff 60 300 80 mid-career teens from Rochester and Rochester professionals Modi’in have experienced educators have have studied and the life changing Journey for been a part of the traveled together in Identity — from Rochester to Education Bridge PARTNERSHIP2GETHER Ramim, an intensive Poland and Israel to date THE EDUCATION BRIDGE partnership experience The Education Bridge matches Tracie Glazer, Head of School at students, educators and Rochester’s Hillel Community Day classrooms in Jewish Rochester School, talked about the richness and Modi’in, Israel – all part of of the experiences. “I think that Partnership2Gether – through a lot of times in school you’re shared projects that develop talking about Israel as a concept. relationships and enhance cultural The Education Bridge has allowed Kevin McGowan, Superintendent understanding. Students at area our students and teachers to feel of the Brighton School District religious schools get to know a tangible, deep connection with (above, left), was among the first individuals attended world class Israeli children through video and Israel and to see themselves as 500+ to participate. “The relationships Federation sponsored lectures on Zionism and pluralism, other communications, engage in part of a large peoplehood.” that are established are so as well as a groundbreaking pilot program that teaches joint activities and make real-life meaningful. We had very moving, connections to Israel. Educators Several years ago, the Federation adults of diverse Jewish backgrounds and political expanded the Rochester side of deep, thoughtful conversations