FEDERATION
IMPACT You give our Jewish community a better future
“We probably read Apples and Honey about a hundred times.”
—Emma Carlson Berne
FALL 2022
You Grow Jewish Engagement Through Reading —story on p. 2
jewishcincinnati.org
WHY FREE JEWISH CHILDREN’S BOOKS MATTER
Your Gift Helps Kids Love Reading, Judaism
“I remember a lot of brightly colored sweet books about the holidays that both Henry and Leo were completely in love with,” said Emma Carlson Berne, sitting on her back porch recently. She was speaking about the book program called PJ Library. What’s not to love? PJ Library mails Cincinnati families with at least one Jewish parent free, high-quality Jewish books for children ages newborn to 11 years, one per month. PJ Library, PJ Baby, and PJ Our Way family programs are offered at the Mayerson JCC and other local venues in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, and thanks to generous funding from Anne Heldman, the Fisher family (Founding Sponsor), and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.
Local author Emma Carlson Berne not only loves PJ Library books, she wrote a new one, Shabbat Sabotage, for the series. And it’s a great read: a mystery about girls at a Jewish overnight camp.
While the books appealed to her kids, PJ Library also drew Berne and her family more fully into the Jewish community. “With Apples and Honey, we first started reading it on a trip to Michigan with some friends—and of course, by the end, everyone memorized it,” Berne said. “We really read a lot of PJ books.”
Closing Celebration of 200 Years of Jewish Cincinnati: October 15 3-Band Concert During Blink: A Festival of Light & Art Time to celebrate! The Jewish community, led by the Jewish Cincinnati Bicentennial Committee, is celebrating boldly during the heart of Cincinnati’s biggest weekend. The Jewish Federation, along with many community partners, sponsors, and supporters, is closing out the celebration of 200 years of Jewish Cincinnati at the Andrew J. Brady Music Center with a three-band concert during Blink weekend. On October 15, this extravaganza of a concert will feature Cincinnati natives Walk the Moon as the headliners. These multi-platinum, multi-award-winning artists have won two Billboard Music Awards. Grammy-winner and New Orleans native Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue is the co-headliner. Special guest is the band Lawrence, led by a Jewish brother and sister duo from New York; they’ve been on Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The Jewish Cincinnati Bicentennial has truly been a once-in-a-lifetime experience that has reached many Cincinnatians. It has hosted over 50 events, exhibitions, and experiences, with a combined attendance of more than 25,000 people. 2|
YOUR GIFT SUPPORTS
Son Lands Stellar Job, Grateful Mom Creates Legacy Gift
JVS Careers and Create Your Jewish Legacy
Joan Roberts knew that her son, Aaron, was smart, talented, and personable. She also knew he had excellent credentials, in the form of an Environmental Science Bachelor’s degree from Denison University. Then why—six months after graduation—had Aaron not found a job? “After four long years of school, I sort of shut myself down for a bit,” Aaron admitted. “And when I did start to look for work, I realized that my job searching skills weren’t necessarily the best.” Joan suggested JVS Careers to her son, and Aaron met Dedra Perlmutter, Senior Career Coach. “She explained the specific steps [needed]. But she also stressed how she wasn’t merely going to help me get a job; she was going to teach me job-finding skills that would last me a lifetime,” said Aaron. After three months of Dedra’s expert coaching, Aaron received an outstanding job offer. “I’m pleased to say I now work with an environmental company that helps companies manage or reclaim their industrial waste. I’m one of the field techs,” said Aaron.
These smiles are because of you! Joan Roberts recommended JVS Careers to her son—and it worked like a charm.
with a Create Your Jewish Legacy (CYJL) pledge— a portion of which she directed to JVS Careers. “I literally created the legacy gift on the heels of Aaron’s success. I just wanted to help other people have the same good experience that he had.”
CINCINNATI 2030
And Joan was so pleased, she decided to give back
Ohio State University junior Eva Fischer interned at an Israeli nonprofit, KeepOlim, that helps new immigrants to Israel.
The Jewish Federation supports Cincinnati 2030, our community’s strategic plan. Highlights: You help in Ukraine: As of August 15, your help through the JDC has been vital: 39,100 refugees provided vital necessities, 62,000 calls fielded, 12,900 refugees evacuated from Ukraine, and 617+ tons of humanitarian aid delivered to Jews in Ukraine and Moldova. You support young adults in Israel: This summer, seven Cincinnatians joined the Onward Israel program, which matches college students with internships in Israel for a two-month stay. “An incredible trip!” said Ohio State junior Eva Fischer. You support young adults in Cincinnati: This summer, nine college students interned at local Jewish nonprofits. Asher Caruso, who interned at the American Jewish Archives, said, “So meaningful and heartening. I genuinely love it.” |3
together we go
F RWARD
The Federation’s 2023 Annual Campaign has begun, and the needs are critical. Please join us and give by December 31.
Get the match—give today. jewishcincinnati.org/give
“It’s a Good Feeling” Dear friends, I’d like to share with you the story of an amazing person: Gloria Lipson. She has been a vital component of the Cincinnati Jewish community for 52 years. She grew up in Lexington before coming to Cincinnati in 1970. In Lexington, her family had a club that collected dues and donated the raised money to charity. That experience taught her the importance of giving back. One of the things that brought Gloria into the Jewish communal world was her studies at Ohio State University, when she took a course called Judaism and Its Contribution to Social Welfare. As part of that course, she had to interview a director of a Jewish agency. Gloria got an interview with Mort Startz at Jewish Family Service in Columbus. When she graduated a few months later, Mort gave her a job as a social worker. When I asked her why she continues to stay involved, Gloria said, “It’s a good feeling to be part of a community of people who are interested in tikkun olam—it’s an important Jewish value, and I have seen, as a therapist and as a lay leader, that we do something unique and special.” Gloria’s mother escaped Nazi controlled Poland when she was 12 years old. Her experience inspired Gloria to help create and support the JCRC’s Leaders in Light Institute, 4|
a leadership development program that is creating a network of influential local change agents. She concluded, “The more I give the more engaged I am.” Our community is so blessed to have such passionate and generous people. We thank all of you who care about seeing our community move forward.
Debra Steinbuch Interim Chief Development Officer Jewish Federation of Cincinnati