Federation In the News
The Levine Center to End Hate will Transform Rochester Landscape
$1 Million Gift Launches Center to Combat Bias and Intolerance
Press Release, November 1, 2018
The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester is honored to announce a gift of $1 million from the William and Mildred Levine Foundation to launch a center in their name that will lead the Greater Rochester community in efforts to combat bias and intolerance.
Todd Levine, president of the Foundation and the couple’s grandson, led the charge to establish the Levine Center to End Hate at the Jewish Federation.
“My grandparents were people of love, kindness and inclusion toward others,” stated Mr. Levine (right). “We want the Levine Center to End Hate to perpetuate their values and fight all of the negativity we see aimed at others due to differences in race, religion, sexual orientation, and more. With education, dialogue and positive action, we can bring about real change.”
Working in partnership with national and local organizations, the Levine Center to End Hate will utilize the broad network and pivotal position of the Federation to examine issues related to hate and implement solutions. A steering committee of business, non-profit, government, philanthropy and law enforcement leaders will guide the Center’s programming. The membership of the committee, as well as initial projects, will be announced toward the end of 2018.
Press Coverage:
Todd Levine, President of the William and Mildred Levine Foundation
Federation Leaders Thrilled about Record Setting $5 Million Achievement
The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester is thrilled to announce that we have surpassed our $5,000,000 fundraising goal for 2018. A record setting $5,036,180 achievement is an 18% increase over last year’s fundraising effort. This is the first time the Federation, charged with securing a strong Jewish future in Rochester, Israel and worldwide, has topped the $5 million mark in a given fundraising year.
The lofty $5,000,000 goal was set in October when the fundraising season kicked off with several successful events, including the celebrated “An Evening with Andy Cohen”. Volunteers and professionals carefully planned and worked together to achieve this goal in a multi-pronged fundraising approach.
Rina Chessin
Federation President
Federation to Present Community Awards at June 18 Annual Meeting
Press Release, June 1, 2018
Rochester – Outstanding leaders and programs of excellence will be honored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester at the “Celebration of Community” that will serve as their annual meeting on June 18. The meeting will take place in partnership with Hillel Community Day School, Jewish Family Service, Jewish Senior Life and the Louis S. Wolk JCC. It will take place at the JCC, 1200 Edgewood Avenue, at 7 pm; it is free of charge and all are welcome.
Young Leadership Awards
The Federation will present its 2018 Young Leadership Awards to Aviva Schochat, Neal Morchower and Michael Silverstein. Aviva Schochat, recipient of the Raye K. Aiole Young Leadership Award, is a member of the National Young Leadership Cabinet of the Jewish Federations of North America (2017 – present). She was co-chair of the “Watch What Happens When” Federation fundraiser featuring Andy Cohen last fall. She is an incoming member of the Federation’s Board of Directors and serves on the board of Temple Beth El. She chaired the Temple Beth El Chanukah party from 2013-16 and is an active Keshet and Hillel Community Day School parent.
Neal Morchower will be presented with the Benjamin Goldstein Young Leadership Award. An active Federation volunteer, Neal serves on the Federation Board of Directors (2014 – present). He has chaired the Federation’s Security Committee for three years. He participated on the Ramim program of Partnership2Gether, and currently serves on the Ramim steering committee. Michael Silverstein will also be presented with the Benjamin Goldstein Young Leadership Award. Michael serves on the Federation’s Board of Directors (2015 – present) and chairs the Center for Holocaust Awareness and Information (CHAI) committee. He participated on the Ramim program of Partnership2Gether and serves on the Federation’s Corporate Sponsorship committee.
Elmer Louis Awards
The 2018 Elmer Louis Award for excellence in Jewish community programming will be presented to the Brighton High School Exchange Program with Modi’in Israel, an outgrowth of the Federation’s Partnership2Gether with Modi’in. Students from Brighton and Modi’in spend 10 days in each other’s community receiving home hospitality and creating strong people-to-people connections. Hillel Community Day School will be presented with the Elmer Louis Award for its Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Instead of giving students that day off, the school engages them in Tikkun Olam benefiting the Greater Rochester community.
Jan Katz Grinspoon Award for Excellence in Jewish Education
Tracie Glazer, Head of School at Hillel Community Day School, will be acknowledged as recipient of this year’s Jan Katz Grinspoon Award for Excellence in Jewish Education. Tracie is now in her third year as Head of School at Hillel. She has also served as professor and chair of the Art Education Department and program director of the Saturday Art program for children and teens at Nazareth College.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester builds a strong Jewish future in Rochester, Israel and worldwide through philanthropy, engagement, education and advocacy.
Learn more about the annual meeting at www.JewishRochester.org or by contacting a participating agency.
Aviva Schochat
Raye K. Aiole Young Leadership Award
Neal Morchower
Benjamin Goldstein Young Leadership Award
Michael Silverstein
Benjamin Goldstein Young Leadership Award
Roc City Jews Launch, June 7
Press Release, May 18, 2018
Rochester, NY – The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester is excited to announce the launch of Roc City Jews, an initiative designed to provide meaningful opportunities for young adults. All recent college graduates, young and established professionals and parents of young children are welcome to attend the Roc City Jews kick-off event “Summer Schmooze,” on Thursday, June 7.
The event will take place at Radio Social (20 Carlson Rd.) at 7 p.m. Enjoy drinks, appetizers, bowling and good conversation. Get to know other young adults in the community. Learn about ways to get involved from social programs, casual meet-ups and small group gatherings like Shabbat dinners to volunteering and holiday-themed offerings.
“It’s exciting to see the Jewish Federation develop a new initiative to connect young professionals in the Rochester Jewish community,” said Rachael Misch, Roc City Jews committee member. "We're looking forward to the launch party and sharing our vision for the future."
Tickets are $18 in advance until June 5 or $25 at the door. Register at www.JewishRochester.org/RocCityLaunch.
For further information, contact the Federation, working to build a strong Jewish future in Rochester, Israel and worldwide through philanthropy, engagement, education and advocacy, at 461.0490.
Jewish Agencies Make Annual Meeting a “Celebration of Community”
Federation and Local Agencies Join Together, June 18
Press Release, May 18, 2018
Rochester – The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester will join with partner agencies Hillel Community Day School, Jewish Family Service of Rochester, Jewish Senior Life and the Louis S. Wolk JCC of Greater Rochester for a jointly held annual meeting on June 18. The “Celebration of Community” will take place at the JCC, 1200 Edgewood Avenue, at 7:00 PM. The program is free of charge and all are welcome.
This collaborative effort will include the presentation of community awards, election of board members and brief agency highlights. An ice cream sundae reception will follow the program.
“For the second year in a row, we are joining forces to maximize our community members’ time as well as organizational resources,” said Meredith Dragon, CEO of the Jewish Federation. “We had great success with this last year. We’re a busy community with a full schedule of activities, especially at this time of year.”
The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester builds a strong Jewish future in Rochester, Israel and worldwide through philanthropy, engagement, education and advocacy.
Learn more about the annual meeting at www.JewishRochester.org or by contacting a participating agency.
Leading Israeli Foreign Policy Expert to Address Zionism in the 21st Century
Einat Wilf will deliver lecture as part of Israel@70 lecture series, May 1
Press Release, April 10, 2018
Rochester – Einat Wilf has served as a member of Israeli parliament and as a leading intellectual on matters concerning Israel and the Jewish people. She will address “Zionism and Pluralism in the 21st Century: Rethinking Israel and the Jewish People” for the final lecture in Israel@70: The Series, sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester.
The program will take place on Tuesday, May 1st at 7:00 p.m. at the Louis S. Wolk JCC of Greater Rochester. It is free of charge and all are welcome.
Dr. Einat Wilf is a leader on matters of foreign policy, economics, education as well as Israel and the Jewish people. A member of the Israeli parliament from 2010-2013 on behalf of the Labor and Independence parties, Dr. Wilf also served as a Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, a Senior Fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute and Foreign Policy Advisor to Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres. She is the author of four books and numerous articles exploring key issues in Israeli society.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester works to build a strong Jewish future in Rochester, Israel and worldwide through philanthropy, education, engagement and advocacy.
Rochester Celebrates Israel@70, April 18
70th Birthday Party Includes Israeli Band, Kids’ Activities and More
Press Release, April 5, 2018
Rochester – The state of Israel celebrates a major milestone on April 18, which marks 70 years of statehood. In just 70 years, Israel has become a world hub for technology and innovation as well as the only democracy in the Middle East.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester will sponsor a community celebration of Israel’s 70th Independence Day featuring a live band, activities for kids and more from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. on the 18th. The event will take place at the Louis S. Wolk JCC of Greater Rochester, 1200 Edgewood Avenue, a partner in the celebration.
The Israeli cover band Capa’im will provide dance music. A slideshow of images from community members’ travels to Israel will set the stage. Mediterranean (kosher) food from area eateries will be available for purchase.
The event is free of charge.
Learn more at www.JewishRochester.org/israelindependenceday.
Jewish Federation's Young Leadership Engagement Efforts Take a Big Step Forward
Gitana Mirochnik Selected as Next Gen Jewish Federation Fellow
Press Release, April 4, 2018
Rochester - Creating meaningful experiences that engage young adults with the Jewish community is among the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester’s most important priorities as it works to build a strong Jewish future. The Federation is proud to announce that Gitana Mirochnik, Director of the Federation’s Young Adult Initiatives and Social Media, has been named a Next Gen Jewish Federation Fellow.
Selected through a competitive application and interview process of the Jewish Federations of North America, Ms. Mirochnik was selected for the 18-month comprehensive program, made possible by the Jim Joseph Foundation, which offers participants the tools and training they need to work with the critically important 20s and 30s demographic. Joining forces for the first time, JFNA has brought together the North Carolina-based Center for Creative Leadership and the Jerusalem-based M2: The Institute for Experiential Jewish Education to develop coursework and meaningful experiences that grow Federation professionals’ leadership skills and connect them more deeply to Judaism. The new initiative will also position them as innovators and leaders in the Jewish Next Gen space.
“We are very proud that Gitana has been selected for this important fellowship program and we know that our Jewish community will benefit greatly by her involvement,” said Meredith Dragon, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester. “We look forward to watching her work with the young adults of Jewish Rochester expand in new and innovative directions.”
“I am honored and humbled by this amazing opportunity,” said Gitana Mirochnik. “I'm excited to learn from others and bring it back home.”
The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester works to build a strong Jewish future in Rochester, Israel and worldwide through philanthropy, education, engagement and advocacy.
Learn more at www.JewishRochester.org.
Annual Holocaust Remembrance Opportunities, April 11-12
Power of the Arts in Teaching Holocaust History is this Year’s Focus
Press Release, March 27, 2018
Rochester - Keeping the testimony of Holocaust survivors alive once they are unable to share their stories in person is central to the mission of the Center for Holocaust Awareness and Information (CHAI) of the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester. At this year’s annual Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust remembrance, program on Wednesday, April 11th, keynote speaker Dr. Erika Hughes will address the power of teaching Holocaust history through the arts.
The Louis S. Wolk JCC of Greater Rochester, co-sponsor of the program, will present an excerpt from Survivors, a play by Wendy Kout, commissioned by the JCC and comprised of testimony of Rochester area Holocaust survivors. A candle lighting ceremony will also be part of the program which will take place from 7-8:15 PM at JCC.
Dr. Erika Hughes is Senior Lecturer in Drama and Performance at the University of Portsmouth. She has held research fellowships in Jewish Studies at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the Free University of Berlin, the University of Bonn, and the Technical University of Berlin. Her work has been published in numerous journals including the Journal of European Studies, Theatre Topics, Youth Theatre Journal, and Performance Research, as well as a number of edited volumes. Her work as a director for the stage has been seen in the United States, Germany, Israel, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom.
The JCC is located at 1200 Edgewood Avenue. The program is free of charge and all are welcome.
Lunch & Learn, April 12
Community members will have an additional opportunity to learn from Dr. Erika Hughes at a Lunch & Learn on Thursday, April 12th from 12-1 PM at the Louis S. Wolk JCC. Dr. Hughes will address “Speaking Resistance: Performance, the Holocaust and Contemporary Jewish Identity” at this program, also co-sponsored by the Center for Holocaust Awareness and Information (CHAI) of the Jewish Federation and the Louis S. Wolk JCC.
You can register for the Lunch & Learn at www.JewishRochester.org/Events.
Learn More
Jewish Community Will Miss Rep. Louise Slaughter
By Rina Chessin, President, and Meredith Dragon, CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester
Democrat and Chronicle, Saturday, March 17, 2018
The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester mourns the loss of U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter. Congresswoman Slaughter was a close friend of the Jewish community. A vital partnership was forged with her over social, educational and international issues of importance to both Congresswoman Slaughter and our community. In particular, Louise lent a strong voice to critical Jewish needs, including freeing Soviet Jewry and supporting Israel.
During a recent visit by members of the Federation’s Government Affairs Committee to Louise’s district office, she spoke fondly of Israel and described several trips she made to the country. Louise dedicated her career to tikkun olam (social justice) and led with humility and grace. We express our deepest condolences to Louise’s family, friends and work colleagues. She will be sorely missed by the Jewish community. May her memory be a blessing.
Jewish Women's Day Debuts, March 8
February 22, 2018
Rochester -- Whether you're into spirituality and Kaballah, viewing work through a Jewish lens or defining your own success, there's likely to be something that interests all Jewish women at the first ever Jewish Women's Day on Thursday, March 8th. Sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester in partnership with the Louis S. Wolk JCC, area synagogues and other organizations, the event starts at 7:30 a.m. and runs through 9 p.m. Most activities take place at the JCC.
The varied day of learning, which also includes art projects and yoga, will kick off with a breakfast program featuring prominent scholar, author and media figure Arna Fisher who will address, "Doing our Work with a Jewish Lens: What does this Mean for Women Professionals and Volunteers?" A lunch time program is entitled "Getting in Touch with Your Spiritual Side: 4 Secrets from Kaballah for Achieving Lasting Relationships" with internationally renowned teacher, lecturer and activist Rivkah Slonim. A variety of panelists will tackle "Defining Your Own Success" over dinner, followed by "Breast Cancer: Genetic Testing and Beyond" at 7:30 p.m.
Read the article (page 11)
Jewish Family Navigator Connects Families with Disabilities
February 7, 2018
When a child or other family member is diagnosed with a disability, the question of how and where to access support for that family member can be overwhelming. Institutions also struggle with meeting the needs of their diverse constituents.
The newly instituted Jewish Family Navigator program, a resource for families coping with disabilities, aims to address this need from a communal perspective. The program, a partnership between AutismUp and the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester with funding support from the Max and Marian Farash Charitable Foundation, launches on February 7, 2018.
This newly instituted service will link families in the Rochester Jewish community with needed services, consolidating information and referral and providing individual family consultations. The Jewish Family Navigator will also work with local Jewish institutions to support their efforts to be inclusive.
Israeli Educator Impressed by Pittsford Schools
By Alex Howard, Spectrum News, December 11, 2017
PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- Israeli educator Ziva Babian was wowed by what she saw at Calkins Road Middle School, and not just by the snow.
"Everything is so big, so tall, so different. Even the classroom is very well-planned, but the kids are the same kids, but the things that you do with them is so different," said Babian.
"We all want to be educated, but in a different way. The ways that I've seen here are amazing, and I plan to take then with me to my school in Modi'in."
Babian is visiting the United States for the first time through a Jewish Federation of Rochester-sponsored program called Partnership2Gether, which promotes international cultural connections between students and educators.
See coverage
True Meaning of the Holidays: Supporting Our Refugee Neighbors Event Makes a Difference
By Pam Sherman, Democrat and Chronicle, Dec. 8, 2017
Last weekend, as I drove into the parking lot at Temple Brith K’odesh to drop off items for an event sponsored by the Refugee Committee of the Jewish Federation, I couldn’t help but think about my own paternal grandparents who came from Russia in the early 1920s.
My grandfather had been a doctor there, but he, my grandmother and my aunt left their home behind to come to America. They ended up moving to Staten Island, where my grandfather was eventually able to begin his practice, becoming the first doctor in the area to own a car for house calls.
Their journey was made easier by the Jewish community that welcomed them to this country. They went on to be one of the founding families of a small Jewish congregation that exists to this day on Staten Island.
Here in Rochester, the Jewish Federation’s event, Supporting Our Refugee Neighbors, was inspired by recent proposed changes in immigration rules. It’s part of a long legacy of the Jewish community supporting refugees.
Read the article
Essay: At its Core, Chanukah a Celebration of Religious Freedom
By Meredith Dragon, Guest essayist
Democrat and Chronicle Dec. 6, 2017
Next week the Jewish community will be celebrating Chanukah.
At its core, Chanukah is a celebration of religious freedom. When the Chanukah lights are kindled for eight nights of the holiday, we are reminded of how fortunate we are to live free from religious persecution. There have been too many times in Jewish history when this was not the case.
In celebrating our religious freedom, we understand that there are people who still suffer today from religious persecution. Because of our history, we are keenly aware of the importance of insuring the safety and well-being of all people.
December 6 marks a date in history when those who were pursuing religions freedom left an indelible mark. Thirty years ago on that date the Jewish community arrived in Washington to demand from Mikhail Gorbachev freedom for more than 1 million brutally oppressed Soviet Jews. It was the eve of the summit between Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan. Over 250,000 people from across the US marched on Washington in solidarity with people whom they had never met, but for whom they felt a primal duty and obligation to help.
Read the essay
Supporting Refugees in Rochester – Event to Gather Supplies for Local Refugees
13Wham News, December 3, 2017
Rochester, N.Y. (WHAM) - The local community came together Sunday to help refugees.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester partnered with eight local agencies to collect supplies for local refugees Sunday.
People donated items like clothing, shoes and toiletries, to help refugees get on their feet.
Organizers say they did not know what to expect, but were overwhelmed with the turnout and the support they received.
Karen Elam with the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester said "It completely blew away my expectations."
See the coverage
Jewish Federation to Participate in National Legacy Program
Messenger Post Media, Nov. 20, 2017
The Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester is one of nine organizations recently selected to join 43 others in a national Jewish legacy giving program that, to date, has secured more than 15,700 after-lifetime commitments with an estimated value of more than $500 million for communities across North America.
The Foundation, the planned giving program of Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester, will partner with Harold Grinspoon Foundation through Life & Legacy to start a community legacy giving program, creating a shared goal for the organizations to work toward.
“Life & Legacy is truly a game changer for our community,” said Don Onimus, program co-chairman. “It’s a tremendous opportunity for growth, and we can’t wait to get started.“
Read the article
