2016 Jewish Alliance Annual Campaign

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2016 Annual Campaign

Today’s Alliance serves to enrich the quality of life for Jews in Rhode Island, in Israel, and around the world. The Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island meets this goal through philanthropy, planning, education and wellness opportunities, community relations, and volunteer recruitment and training.

The Alliance convenes agencies, synagogues, and organizations to address issues of common concern. Together, we transform Jewish tradition and values into action.

Whether caring for people in need or nurturing and sustaining Jewish identity for future generations, this is where our community comes together as one; where we, as a community, develop innovative responses to critical, often lifethreatening issues; where anyone who needs help can get it; where an energized Jewish community grows and celebrates; and where everyone, including you, can make a difference right now. jewishallianceri.org

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THE POWER TO MAKE A

DIFFERENCE

70

The Jewish Alliance has been supporting Jewish life for nearly 70 years.

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a fe ges you’ll meet just pa g in w llo fo e th n O e to thank them fo by our work. We’d lik

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gn i a p m a C l a u n n ance A : broad headings

d es have been touche liv se ho w le op pe e ew of th s. to share their storie n io iss rm pe us ng vi or gi

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David C. Isenberg Family Early Childhood Center: dollars raised through the Annual to five years of age, focused on Jewish values and traditions in a NAEYC-accredited,

Jewish Life & Learning Our son Ethan* had been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder at 18 months. His speech was limited and he had trouble making eye contact, which made it difficult for him to make friends. Caring for Ethan had not been easy and had placed a financial strain on my family. Despite his limitations, Ethan was a bright and happy child and I could not imagine my life without him.

Providing Ethan with an inclusive Jewish education was very important to my family. I took my chances and called the David C. Isenberg Family Early Childhood Center (ECC) at the Jewish Alliance. I never imagined that they would consider my son as a student. To my delight Ethan was accepted into

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“...an inclusive

Jewish education

was very important to my family.�

l Campaign provide full-service childcare and education for children ages 3 months , DCYF licensed program.

the program. Upon hearing this news, I burst into tears. Ethan could go to a Jewish school, just like his peers.

Within a few weeks of starting school, our son was fully integrated into his class. Since then, Ethan has thrived. He has many friends at school and in the community and has regular play dates.

We are forever grateful to the Alliance and their staff for making Jewish education a reality for my son. I truly do not know where we would be without the ECC. *Name has been changed to protect the identity of this child.

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Everyone has power to m a differen

50%

Half of all households in communities served by the Alliance face economic difficulties.

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s the make nce.

The Alliance pledges not to let anyone fall on our watch, and we rely on each other to uphold that pledge. We help thousands of people who are living on the edge.

Young, jobless parents who need help putting food on the table. Grandparents who deserve to live out their lives with dignity. People with disabilities who face barriers to living full lives. When an individual or family needs help, they can turn to the Alliance or one of our partner agencies. Through food banks, cash grants, job training, legal services and crisis intervention, we give a hand to anyone who needs it—including many who never imagined they’d need help, until they faced unemployment, illness, or aging.

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“I could hear the

desperation in her

Jewish Family Service: the Annual Campaign provides assistance and support through Jewish Seniors Agency: funds raised through the Annual Campaign help provide kosh

Caring & Social Responsibility Miriam, a 45-year old woman from Warwick with a preteen son, was suddenly widowed and lost her sole source of income. When her neighbor Shirley came to pay a shiva call, she could see that Miriam needed more than her sympathies and a homemade kugel. Shirley could hear the desperation in Miriam’s voice and encouraged her to call the Community Concierge at the Alliance, who had previously helped her when she was in need.

Miriam’s humble phone call to the Community Concierge triggered the coordinated efforts of the Jewish Alliance, Jewish Family Service (JFS), and the Louis and Goldie Chester Full Plate Kosher Food Pantry through Jewish Seniors Agency (JSA). Miriam received some vocational guidance and Ted, jewishallianceri.org

voice.�

h the areas of case management, counseling, and home care solutions. her food to an average of 600 households every six months.

a former school teacher, volunteered to help her son with homework. Food from the Kosher food pantry was delivered to their home, and JFS set up grief counselling for the family.

Calls from individuals like Miriam have become commonplace, and the collaboration with partner agencies have become much more routine. During the past year, the Alliance and its community partners have fashioned a response to the “Living on the Edge� study that identified the prevalence of social and financial insecurity in the Jewish community of greater Rhode Island.

The programs, designed to help those affected by the economic downturn, include a broad array of coordinated services inspired by Jewish values. The goal of these endeavors is to provide a safety net, promote self-sufficiency, and increase access to Jewish life. jewishallianceri.org

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Jewish Agency for Israel: dollars raised through the Annual Campaign go towards providing services to new immigrants and at-risk populations.

When Jews around the world need our help, we don’t let borders get in our way. Years of financial troubles have left thousands in desperate need. The poorest Jews around the world have no one to turn to but us.

We support agencies that deliver food and medicine along with self-respect and a connection to a caring, global Jewish community.

Thousands of poor families, many immigrants, know their children will have a brighter future thanks to our programs.

In places where Jews haven’t shared a Sabbath in decades, the Alliance is rekindling Jewish life.

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Jewish Peoplehood Natan joined Youth Civic Service, a program of the Joint Distribution Committee, after a year and a half of treatment for drug abuse. For the first few months of the program, he fought with those around him and showed a lack of commitment and interest.

The Program Director soon realized that Natan had relapsed into his addiction, and he approached Natan about the issue. Realizing that he wanted to help rather than get him in trouble, he opened up about his daily struggles. Natan expressed a desire to stay in the program and take major steps to change his life. The Director saw that he was serious and agreed to give him another chance.

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“I just needed someone to

believe in me.”

Joint Distribution Committee,Youth Civic Service: the Alliance Annual Campaign supports teaching critical job skills to young Israeli adults who are unable to join the Israeli Defense Force.

After multiple one-on-one sessions, the Director recommended that he volunteer at the Therapeutic Horseback Riding Center, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of disabled individuals through a unique therapeutic and recreational approach. Natan prepared his weekly schedule to balance his volunteering, training days and drug treatment sessions.

Connecting with the mission of the Therapeutic Horseback Riding Center and with the people at the farm, Natan asked to take on additional responsibilities. “For years I needed help, and now I’m helping others. I just needed someone to believe in me.”

Natan is now working towards recovery and learning how to be a therapeutic horseback riding instructor.

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Camp JORI: your donation to the Annual Campaign helps provide needs-based scho friendships and strengthening Jewish identity.

Building community and helping to make the world a better place is what we do everyday. For us, it’s what being Jewish feels like.

It’s a promise that social services and community organizations will remain strong and active for all of us.

And for you.

It’s an opportunity to be part of a caring community that gives back. And it’s an opportunity to foster and celebrate Jewish identity for future generations.

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olarships to campers in grades 2 - 10 — forming lasting

300

The Alliance Annual Campaign funds more than 300 programs & services locally and globally.

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$3.2M

Last year’s Annual Campaign raised $3.2M, but there’s still vital work to be done and we need your help.

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Contribute to the Jewish Alliance Annual Campaign and you’re helping to care for our entire Jewish community— at home, in Israel, and around the world.

To learn more or to donate today, visit us at jewishallianceri.org or call 401.421.4111.

Be part of our vibrant and thriving Jewish community by donating to the Annual Campaign.

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Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island Sharon Gaines, Board Chair Mitzi Berkelhammer, Vice Chair of Philanthropy Jewish Federation Foundation Jay Rosenstein, Board Chair Robert Sherwin, Vice Chair Jewish Alliance Senior Management Team Jeffrey K. Savit, President & CEO Trine Lustig, Vice President of Philanthropy Minna Ellison, Senior Vice President Community Planning and Programming Manuel daRosa, Chief Financial Officer Daniel Hamel, Chief Operations Officer Gail Putnam, Executive Assistant/Office Manager Philanthropy Team Trine Lustig, Vice President of Philanthropy Hillary Schulman, Development Associate Michele Gallagher, Senior Campaign Operations Manager Danielle Germanowski, Endowment Operations Manager Jennifer Zwirn, Planning, Endowment & Vocational Navigation

We partner with the following agencies to meet community needs: American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) Avnei Derech Birthright Israel Board of Rabbis of Greater Rhode Island Brown RISD Hillel Camp JORI Chabad of Barrington Chabad of West Bay Ethiopian National Project Haifa Rape Crisis Center Holocaust Education Resource Center of Rhode Island Jewish Agency for Israel Jewish Community Day School of Rhode Island Jewish Family Service Jewish Seniors Agency Providence Hebrew Day School RI Jewish Committee on Scouting, BSA RI Jewish Historical Association South County Hebrew School URI Hillel Vestnik of Rhode Island

401 Elmgrove Avenue | Providence, RI 02906 401.421.4111 | jewishallianceri.org