Dear friends,

As summer winds down, I hope you’ve had time to recharge and be with loved ones. This time of year often brings transitions, whether it’s kids returning to school or preparing for the months ahead. At the Federation, we’ve been thoughtfully focused on making sure your contributions—both in talent and donations—continue to have a lasting impact on our community.

Each summer, our planning and allocations team, alongside over 80 dedicated lay leaders, evaluates how we distribute funds to local programs.Our open processes ensure every dollar goes to programs that align with our shared values and priorities. Your generous support in 2023—from the Annual Campaign to donor-advised funds, from legacy giving to the Israel Emergency Fund, and more—helped us reach record fundraising levels, allowing us to allocate over $26 million to programs sustaining and enhancing Jewish life in Cincinnati, Israel, and worldwide, as shown in our 2023 Program Allocations.

Our funding strategy is rooted in four core priorities: Engagement, which aims to get more people involved in Jewish life; Wider World, which works toward making the world better; Caring, which focuses on the well-being and safety of those in need; and Communal Health & Resiliency, which provides the foundational support that sustains our community organizations. These priorities guide our investments in key institutions like the Mayerson JCC, Jewish Family Service, JVS Careers, Camp Livingston, our local Hillels, day schools, and many others.

Along with these well-known organizations, we also support vital, yet perhaps less visible entities, like the University of Cincinnati's Department of Judaic Studies, the Jewish Fertility Foundation, and Camp Ashreinu. These organizations are key to a thriving, diverse Jewish community in Cincinnati.

But our work doesn’t stop there. Beyond supporting these key institutions, the Federation runs several programs that are just as crucial to our community’s health. For example, our Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) and SAFE Cincinnati programs are widely recognized for their impact. Did you know the Federation also offers Interest-Free Loans, B’nai Mitzvah grants, grants for Overnight Jewish Camps, and Shared Business Services? These Federation-run programs play a vital role in helping our community members, agencies, and congregations thrive.

This year, our community’s collective efforts have made a profound impact, touching lives in countless ways. Thanks to your support, we were able to give Israeli teens a much-needed break from the chaos of war. Twenty teens from Netanya and Kibbutz Carmia, areas deeply affected by conflict, spent time at Camp Livingston, where they found joy, connection, and a sense of normalcy. Reem, a 13-year-old camper from Netanya, shared, 'I loved the lake. I wished we went for four weeks!' These moments of peace and happiness are priceless, and they remind us why our work is important.

Another inspiring story is that of Jared, a Cincinnati native, who received support through JVS Careers’ Employment Disability Services. Jared had struggled to find stable employment, but with guidance and encouragement, he found a job he loves and has even been promoted twice. “I love my job now,” Jared shared. His journey shows the transformative power of community support.

I encourage you to explore more of these impactful stories in our latest Fed Impact newsletter, available here. These stories exemplify the real difference our community makes in the lives of those who need it most. As always, your feedback is invaluable, and we’d love to hear any thoughts you have on how these programs resonate with you.

Thank you for your ongoing support. As one, we're making Cincinnati a vibrant, inclusive, and resilient community.

Shabbat Shalom,
 

Danielle V. Minson
CEO
Jewish Federation of Cincinnati

Your Support Matters: jewishcincinnati.org/give