Investing in our Shared Future

Investing in our Shared Future

Jewish Community Foundation

The Jewish Connections Network is a fund in the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Long Beach, an agency of Jewish Long Beach.

We are the Jewish Connections Network (JCN), a giving circle of donors with a simple mission; to provide grants to the Alpert JCC to underwrite the programs & operations that attract Jewish children, teens, adults, and families, in the hope of reducing or eliminating any barriers to their engagement with local Jewish programming. Specifically, these grants are directly provided to enhance Toddler Care, Early Childhood Education, Kesher after-school activities, Camp Komaroff, JCC Maccabi Games® participation, and AJCC membership. We seek to replicate the practice and success of Birthright Israel, where all Jews (as defined) are underwritten for their trips to Israel which have historically resulted in a greater likelihood of future connection with Judaism. We hope our JCN will have a similar outcome in the future, in part through the grants we provide today.

Underwriting the Maccabi games made it possible for 15 local Jewish youth to participate, many for their first time, in “a life changing week of being proud to be Jewish!” - 2024 Maccabi participant

The response thus far to “Jews supporting Jews” has been remarkable with already over 70 donors, over $120,000 raised, and nearly $60,000 granted. These grants are determined by the voting members of the JCN, and these gatherings are designed to be social & mission-driven, as our connection helps grow future Jewish connections here in Greater Long Beach.

We strongly support the diversity of the membership at our community center, and the continued provision from the agency of need-based financial aid for all eligible candidates regardless of faith. At the same time, the overall decline in Jewish participation by both the unaffiliated and previously affiliated has reached a crisis level and requires its own direct action. We hope JCN grants underwriting will be an effective first step in encouraging and incentivizing those attempts, lowering the barriers of entry to local Jewish life, and weaving generations together.

“As a family who moved from Israel, getting enrolled in the Alpert JCC’s preschool meant my son would be part of a community no matter how far away our family lives.” -Alpert JCC ECE parent

We ask you to join us in this effort, as with more support from generous donors, our impact in the local Jewish community can be so much greater. The decisions regarding fundraising, distribution, policy, and direction, by design, are made by the voting members of our Giving Circle. Building Community involves more than writing a check, so through our shared stories & connection and your help, we will continue to identify new families and individuals who will help grow our community.

With hope for the future,

Barbara & Ben Alhadeff

Dr. Kent Azaren

Mark & Cathe Beizer

Rosecarrie & Dr. Alan Brooks

Shelley & Tom Carl

Lindsey & Gary Fields

Arlene & Rick Freeman

Lauren & Stuart Friedman

Jeri & David Goldstein

Michelle & Steve Gordon

Elise & Carl Hartman

Barbara Lieberman-Jones & Doug Jones

Ronnie & Dr. Robert Kaplan

Dr. Bryna Kane & Jerry Kaufman

Pam & Steve Keiles

Ronna & Dr. Joel Kizner

Dr. Seth & Vicki Kogen

Georgianna & Alan Kolsky

Kathy & Alan Kreida

Jann Kronick-Gath & Chance Gath

Pat & David Lemmerman

Carol & Fred Lerner

Sara & Seth Linden

Nancy & Dr. James Linden

Amy & Rich Lipeles

Debbie Malumed & Alan Lowenthal

Kathryn McDermott

Karen & Howard Ort

Donna & Jeff Punim

Gina & Jack Rosenthal

Vicki & Todd Scherwin

Ken Schlesinger

Kristina & Bill Shafton

Barbara & Leon Shoag

Beth & Scott Sterling

Dale & Mike Strok

Dr. Murray Taubman

Dr. Karen Zoller &

Dr. David Tillman

Ava & Howard Weiss

Wendy Manasse Wiese & David Wiese

Rita & Dr. Barry Zamost

Dr. Marvin Zamost & Linda Haley

Betty Zamost