You give our Jewish community a better future
SPRING 2023
You Protect Ella’s Mental Health
“I now have a therapist who is free, right here at Hillel.”
—Ella sophomore, University of Cincinnati
Health at Cincinnati Hillel
Early fall semester, Ella (identity changed) was studying at Cincinnati Hillel. A University of Cincinnati sophomore, she felt anxious, stressed, and hopeless. She went into the bathroom, closed the door, and let herself bite her nails and cry.
Ella is not alone. In December, the US Surgeon General called the pandemic’s impacts on youth mental health “unprecedented” and “devastating.” University counseling services are stretched thin. Hillel staff help—but they are not trained social workers.
Students like Ella are now able to get support. Working with Hillel, Jewish Family Service’s Youth Mental Health Services created a program based on innovative principles that embed therapy within youth and young-adult-facing organizations.
Right there on the bathroom door, Ella saw a poster with a QR code that let her schedule an appointment with Rachael Greenberg, the JFS social worker at Hillel. She could do it privately, from her phone. It was free, it was at Hillel, and an appointment was available that Thursday. Your gift helped support Ella.
Welcome to the world, baby Ellie!
For Robin and Chris Jamison, their infertility journey kept shaking them with both hope and loss. After they started trying in 2018, they discovered that Robin had polycystic ovarian syndrome. Two long years with a fertility clinic led to a second attempt at the expensive procedure called IVF (in vitro fertilization), with devastating results: “We had a chemical pregnancy for six, six and a half weeks, and then it ended,” said Robin. “That was the absolute worst. I went to my mom’s and I cried on the back deck.”
Luckily, the Jewish Fertility Foundation (JFF) had just opened a Cincinnati office. As a Federation donor, you fund JFF programs focused on caring and support for those facing infertility. JFF helped Robin become part of a support group, and matched her with a fertility buddy. Infertility is expensive, and Robin’s insurance didn’t cover IVF treatments. JFF gave them a grant for a third round of IVF, which resulted in their beautiful and much-loved daughter, Ellie. “We would not be here without the Jewish Fertility Foundation. I would do anything for them.” said Robin.
“Lowering barriers to access is key.”
–Rachael Greenberg, MSW, LSW, Jewish Family Service
Thanks to your support, Robin and Chris were able to try IVF one more time.
“It was one of the greatest experiences I’ve been a part of,” said Jonathan Levy. “It went beyond competing; it was about making relationships with Jews from all over the world.”
Jonathan participated in the Maccabiah Games in Israel this past July as a futsal player for the men’s open USA team.
Futsal is similar to soccer but played five against five on a hard surface. For Jonathan, the experience confirmed he had the ability to compete at the highest level. It also confirmed his connection to Israel.
The Maccabiah Games, which date back to 1932 and is typically held quadrennially except for a longer break during World War II, is the world’s third-largest sporting event (after the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup), with 10,000 athletes competing.
Jonathan’s mother, Rini Levy, said, “It was just such a moving experience, watching those Opening Ceremonies. Really priceless.”
Cincinnati Jewish teens and young adults can receive funding for Israel trips through Cincy Journeys and b’nai mitzvah certificates. Jonathan’s
“I—one hundred percent—feel more connected to Israel, more connected to my Jewish identity.”
family used his bar mitzvah certificate to help pay for his trip to the Maccabiah Games. “We decided to use Jonathan’s bar mitzvah grant to save his Cincy Journeys grant for the future,” said Rini.
Caring | The Jewish community is mobilizing to create support for young people, who statistically face increasing levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. A survey will assess our community’s mental health gaps and needs. Key takeaways will be shared with the community.
Engagement | Get ready for the 2024 Cincinnati Community Mission to Israel. Registration opens April 30. This transformative journey will enrich us all as we create stronger connections with each other, with the Jewish community, and with Israel. Find out more at jewishcincinnati.org/mission.
Wider World | JDC’s total Ukraine-related budget expanded from $63.3 million to $113 million—a 78% increase since a year ago. Through JDC, you provide Jewish Ukrainians with information, evacuation, food, and shelter.
–Jonathan
Dear friends,
Our first-ever Impact Breakfast on February 8 was a true success, with high attendance, and over a quarter of those attending new to Federation events. Our speaker, Gideon Bernstein, shared stories of the power and joy of giving, and how that joy brought him back to embracing life after tragedy. I discussed the power of the Federation to do good, from its humble beginnings in 1896—when the first-ever Annual Campaign goal was $10,000—to today, when our 2023 goal for total giving is $9.25 million. We are close, but have not yet met that goal, and I want to remind you that it’s not too late to consider a gift by our Annual Campaign deadline, May 31.
I am also pleased to introduce our new Chief Development Officer, David Harris. His return feels like a welcome home. He has served as Executive Director of Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati for six years with creativity and thoughtfulness. This past year David was instrumental in the creation and planning of a very full year of celebration of Jewish Cincinnati’s Bicentennial, marked by the founding of the Chestnut Street Cemetery in 1821. Previously David worked at the Federation as the first manager of our Create Your Jewish Legacy program, creating one of the most successful CYJL programs in the country. David lived in Israel for eight years, during
which he served in the Israel Defense Forces. He is a magna cum laude graduate of Columbia University.
Please welcome David in his new role. This will be my last letter to you in this space, as I return to my previous role as Director of Planned Giving and Endowments/CYJL. I look forward to continuing to serve our amazing and compassionate community in that capacity.
Happy spring,
Debra Steinbuch Past Interim Chief Development Officer Jewish Federation of Cincinnati
