Live Generously… It does a World of Good.
Why Federation Matters
By: Jennifer Wiebrecht, Chairperson 2012 Annual Campaign
Regardless of your level of Jewish affiliation, the practice of tzedakah is something we can all get behind. Tzedakah refers to the Jewish obligation to perform charity and acts of philanthropy; the actual translation is justice.
The Jewish community as a whole has a tremendous track record of providing timely and non-sectarian assistance through the Jewish network in the wake of disasters both in the U.S. and worldwide. Federation dollars facilitated major emergency relief efforts and recovery operations in Southeast Asia, Haiti, Japan, Africa, and the United States – most recently during the aftermath of the Joplin, Missouri tornado.
You may wonder what the dollars donated to your local federation can do during a time of natural disaster – so let me give you a glimpse. Federation dollars go to the set up of Israeli and American field hospitals that provide life-saving equipment as well as vital antibiotics and other medications to those in need. Federation dollars are also distributed to pay for emergency supplies such as food, water, fuel, blankets, and tents for victims of the areas hardest-hit; as well as learning materials, teaching aids, child-friendly spaces for children, and other services needed to bring a sense of normalcy during times of crisis.
Do some research and see the proof – 100% of your donations sent to the Jewish Federations of North America – most notably in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and the recent Tsunami in Japan went to those in need! Again, 100% of donations went directly to the cause you intended. The Jewish Federations of North America are able to do this because of an organized infrastructure that is solidly in place and with your help; they are able to work quickly to respond to natural disasters and humanitarian crises within the United States and around the world.
Last November I had the privilege of attending the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America in New Orleans, Louisiana. I was unsure of what to expect from the GA and what we would find in New Orleans, for me this trip was eye opening and completely inspirational. What we found was a beautiful city filled with warm hospitable people working their way back from a disaster few of us has ever experienced. It is an amazing feeling to sit in a room with 5,000 other Jews from around the country and abroad during the plenary sessions. At that moment our political and religious affiliations had no meaning. What did matter is that we were all there, learning from each other and working together – to facilitate this idea that so many Jews can relate to – the idea of Tikkun Olam – repairing the world.
During a tour of New Orleans and its hardest hit areas, we were able to walk through a community center that served as a helicopter landing pad during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. That community center was completely rebuilt and staffed with Federation dollars. They provided financial assistance, education, and support to families in need. A trip to the lower ninth ward revealed not an urban slum but instead an area of homes that had been lived in by families who wanted a bit more space, a nice yard, and an affordable home. The majority of homes in this area were owned outright by the families who lived in them. The most poignant part of the entire trip for me was seeing first-hand the spray painted hieroglyphics painted on so many of the homes in the areas devastated by flooding. These markings depicted how many were found missing, alive, or dead as emergency crews went door to door. We learned of efforts to support the environment which has been decimated by storms and most recently the by the oil spill – and just how much more needs to be done do save it. Jewish Federation dollars and community members have directly helped in the healing of this wonderful city and its beautiful people!
I have written about how your dollars help outside of Peoria – now let’s go into the details of how and what your federation dollars do to support your local community. Chances are that the Jewish Federation of Peoria provides dollars in support of an event or organization that you or your children have taken part of. If you have a child who has attended religious education classes and is a part of the local youth group – federation dollars have been allocated to support both.
If you were a part of or currently are a member of Bradley Hillel – federation dollars have helped fund your organization. Does your child attend camp locally or out of state? Federation dollars have been contributed to Camperships both locally and outside our community for your children. Does your child receive free books from the PJ Library? This program is supported locally by donations made to the Jewish Federation of Peoria. Do you have a grandparent or elderly parent within the local community? Your federation donation has gone to funding trips, lunchtime programs, and the annual senior Hanukkah and Passover celebrations put on by the Federation and its volunteers. If you have a loved one who is serving our country overseas – the federation annually organizes, seeks donations for, makes and distributes 300 holiday gift bags during Operation Maccabee.
My husband and I came to the conclusion that it is our turn to give. You may ask what it cost us. For us we knew that if we cut out Starbucks and weekly dining out we could up our pledge without worrying about our finances. We can now donate generously and save on calories – for us this has been a win/win situation! We win by knowing our JFED contribution is distributed throughout our community and to social justice causes that we care about worldwide.
Think about it – it’s so simple! Let’s say you swing into Starbucks for a Grande Mocha 3 times a week – going just once a week instead will save you $30.00 a month – you then take that $30.00 and donate it to your local federation – never feeling the pinch! Now if you really want to up the ante, take that $30.00 and multiply it by 12 – that’s an annual gift of $360.00-almost a dollar a day. The best part of the whole deal is that you know that your donation has made a difference in someone else’s life and what did you give up – a little caffeine and calories!
There are so many more things I can tell you about, that your local Jewish Federation does – transportation, meals on wheels, hospice support, the list goes on and on. Take a moment, make a call, or stop by and visit and find out just how amazing our Peoria Jewish Federation is and what you can do to get involved!
You can make a difference-donate now!
Click the image to the right to donate online:
Or
You may send your contribution by mail payable to: The Jewish Federation of Peoria
Mailing address: The Jewish Federation of Peoria
2000 Pioneer Pkwy. Suite 10B
Peoria, IL 61615
Leave a Legacy, include the Jewish Federation of Peoria in your estate plan:
Your presence is needed. For your family. For the Peoria Jewish community. For Israel. For the Jewish people. A planned gift to your Jewish community enables you to be present forever. Whether your gift is used to provide for the needs of the Jewish poor, to assist the elderly, to rescue Jews in need around the world or to fight Anti-Semitism — no matter where or when in the future, you can be there to help. To learn more, contact the Jewish Federation of Peoria 689-0063 or click here.
Another is by using the GoodSearch ™ toolbar in your Web browser.
When you add the Jewish Federation of Peoria toolbar to Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox, each time you shop at one of the more than 1,300 participating stores, a percentage of what you spend will be donated to us at no extra cost to you. And you can even save money as Goodsearch offers up coupons and deals.
The toolbar also has a search box and each time you search the Internet, roughly a penny is donated to us. No registration is required. Surf over to www.goodsearch.com for more information.
