Making Connections JEWISH ANNUAL REPORT FEDERATION 2006/5766 Live Generously:It Does A World of Good We are often asked why the Jewish financial commitment to bring a Shali- the group brought a variety of games, The Community Chanukah Party community is so passionate about the ach to the state. Talia Greenblatt (see balls, and youth supplies. It was a was an overwhelming success. Over Combined Jewish Appeal-our commit- accompanying article) has traversed the great pleasure to watch their faces as 350 people attended from throughout ment to the Annual Campaign. The state helping to bring Israel to congre- we helped build another bridge of un- the state to enjoy latkes, Israeli music, basic concepts of social freedom, indi- gations, service groups, and schools. derstanding between NH and Israel. and a magician. vidual rights, and economic opportuni- She has taught dance, history, and festi- In addition to our commitment to ties are what drive every effort of the val observance; she has read Torah, our Sister City, funding was provided Jewish Federation of New Hampshire instructed students in Hebrew, and for pluralistic programs in Israel in- and the United Jewish Communities. given commentary; she has been the cluding GRANIT- a program that pro- Whether we were supplying much featured speaker at numerous venues. vides aid to women before, during, and needed financial, social, and medical At each of these events Talia has been after divorce; TALI - a pluralistic edu- support for the survivors of Hurricane a wonderful representative of Israel, the cational initiative provided by Masorti, Katrina, purchasing an ambulance for Federation, and the Jewish world. She the Conservative movement in Israel; Hof Hacarmel, helping a teen attend has been an asset to the entire Jewish Israel Religious Action Center- the Jewish summer camp, providing schol- community of New Hampshire. public and legal advocacy arm of the arship for Hebrew School children or The Israel Experience program is Israel Movement for Progressive Juda- keeping our promise to the elderly of now part of seven congregations. This ism whose mission is to advance reli- The production of Fiddler on the Roof, the Former Soviet Union, Federation unique partnership between the syna- gious freedom, tolerance, social justice exceeded everyone’s expectations. continues to be the driving force behind gogues and Federation shows what can and civil liberties. Harkening back to shows of the 60’s, it the economic opportunities that change be done when we all work together for Connecting to Worldwide Jewry was a great pleasure to fill the Federa- individual Jewish lives. a common cause. Over the last year we continued to tion building with children, adults, and This year also featured a very spe- provide hunger relief, housing subsi- seniors. Many commented that it was cial event: The Rabbis Forum. Seven dies, support for new mothers, student the best show ever to be on the stage. rabbis from throughout New Hamp- scholarship, programming for disad- Over 1,000 people attended three shire gathered together to share their vantaged youth and welfare relief for shows over one weekend. This inaugu- views on such ranging topics as a Jews throughout the world, especially ral show is the first of many being Woman’s right to choose, Death and in the Former Soviet Union. Our fund- planned over the coming years. Thanks Dying, differences between the national ing provided through UJC, the Ameri- to the dedication of Alan Kaplan, Jew- movements, and interfaith questions. It can Jewish Joint Distribution Commit- ish theater is alive in NH, with plans to was a unique opportunity for the NH tee, and the Jewish Agency for Israel do three shows next year including one The theme of LIVE GENER- Jewish community to get a view of the has made the difference in thousands of show from old-time Yiddish theater. OUSLY has become the American similarities and differences that make lives each day. Your single gift to the What drives Jewish New Hamp- Jewish anthem. The Jewish commu- each rabbi unique. Federation is a great statement that “all shire? What keeps our communities nity consistently rises to the challenge Connecting to Israel Jews are responsible for one another.” vibrant and growing? To answer those by giving generously of its time, dol- Our relationship with Hof Hacarmel Connecting to the questions the Federation has launched a lars, and unwavering support. We and its wonderful people has blos- Interfaith Community number of bold initiatives in a strategic would like to say, “Todah Rabah,” somed from an idea to a wonderful One of the initiatives of the Federa- plan to increase community participa- Thank you, for the dollars that main- program that resonates through every- tion is to maintain dialogue and rela- tion in programming and the Annual tain Jewish life and continuity, meeting thing we do. Hof Hacarmel Mayor, Campaign. Our goal is to expand Fed- the basic needs of our people here in Carmel Sela began this year by hosting eration’s reach, improve its work, and New Hampshire, Israel, and around the Manchester Mayor, Robert Baines in raise the bar to new levels of donor and world Caesarea. Mayor Baines hosted Car- volunteer participation. Marketers Campaign mel here in New Hampshire in Novem- would call it “building the brand.” We Thanks to the labors and dedication ber. Their interchange was fascinating prefer to call it what we recognize it to of our donors, our lay leaders Jon as they discussed issues of police, elec- be: building connections, building com- Levenstein, Barry Scotch, and Nancy tion, and taxation. munity. Frankel, and our volunteers, our Fed- We recognize and applaud the ex- eration CJA Campaign raised close to traordinary collective enterprise of our $530,000. These much needed funds Jewish community and its spirit of col- will allow us to assist Jews throughout laboration. As a community, our ac- New Hampshire and meet the needs of complishments reflect the efforts and many less fortunate Jewish people tionships with the non-Jewish commu- generous support of a dedicated leader- abroad. We had over 300 new donors nity. This year’s programs included: ship and our legion of volunteers. to the Campaign. This is a great sign • A joint program with the Diocese We are all connected; we are one of support from throughout New of Manchester celebrating the 40th big, extended family: whether you live Hampshire-a vote of confidence from anniversary of Nostra Aetate. on the Seacoast, in the Lakes Region, over 300 new donors who believe in Rabbi Rueven Kimmelman joined in Nashua, Hof Hacarmel, or the for- the important work we are doing. Plans the joint celebration with Bishop mer Soviet Union. From generation to are already in action for an exciting John McCormack. generation, our tradition has always Campaign next year! In addition to the • The Jewish Christian Interfaith been about community. The history of Annual Campaign, we were able to Partnership continues in its 19th the Federation is as old as the New develop the financial resources for year to provide understanding of Hampshire Jewish community itself. Katrina Relief, the purchase of an am- Thirty three individuals took part on each others traditions through Over the years, some of our needs have bulance for Hof Hacarmel, the estab- the New Hampshire “Chai Mission” to monthly dialogue. changed. But one thing has not lishment of a Computer Center in Atlit, Israel. The group was from all over the • The Jewish Catholic Seder is the changed, and that is our responsibility and a program for Women’s Political state. The group ascended Masada, largest interfaith gathering in the to care for one another. Involvement in Hof Hacarmel. prayed at the Kotel, toured an absorp- state. Participants look forward to As Jews in America, and particularly Statewide Involvement tion center in Tiberias, and received joining together year after year in here in New Hampshire, we live in the Over the last four years the Federa- home hospitality in Hof Hacarmel. this very unique event. best of times. In ways that our ances- tion has worked diligently in drawing Those who had not experienced the Connecting to Each Other tors never thought possible, we enjoy in all Jews throughout the state. This warmth of the people of Hof Hacarmel As the central programming agency unbridled freedoms. We have choices. year has been the first under the banner became our best ambassadors upon in New Hampshire JFNH has worked We have influence. We have resources. of the Jewish Federation of New return to New Hampshire. diligently to provide programs and ini- We are part of a worldwide people. Hampshire. We think you’ll agree that Our NH-Hof Hacarmel Steering tiatives that connect the New Hamp- Together, we can do a world of good! our actions truly reflect our representa- Committee evaluated many programs shire Jewish community. tion and service delivery. and provided much needed funding in The monthly Luncheon Series pro- The New Hampshire Jewish Film the Region. One of the highlights of vided a great social outlet, wonderful Festival is now showing in three loca- the Mission was a visit to Ein Chud (an food and access to speakers not ordi- tions:Portsmouth, Manchester, and Arab Village in the region) where we narily appearing in NH. Speakers this Margy Friedman Nashua. saw our dollars at work. Much needed year included Eric Giesser from AI- JFNH President The Reporter has been carefully funding was provided to help establish PAC, AJC’s Larry Lowenthal, and Is- revamped to reflect the many opportu- a playground in their Preschool. After rael Consul General, Meir Shlomo. To nities for involvement throughout the a sumptuous 20 course lunch, the group provide greater outreach and opportu- state.