OUR MISSION & MESSAGE

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OUR MESSAGE Our Core Message

Our Vision Statement:The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit is the cornerstone of our Jewish Community. We are committed to taking care of the needs of the Jewish people and building a vibrant Jewish future in Detroit, in Israel and around the world.

We will:Strengthen Jewish IdentityWe support Jewish education, culture, heritage and other essential ingredients of our individual and collective Jewish Identity. In fact, your dollars help most of our congregational education programs and Jewish day schools in metro Detroit, as well as Jewish camping and other experiences.

Build Jewish CommunityThrough the work of partners, as well as through Federation’s direct service programming, we build and sustain Jewish Community here in Detroit, in Israel and throughout the world. Federation is the community leader in Jewish engagement and, in particular, has led a revitalization of young adult engagement in the Detroit area.

Grow Jewish PhilanthropySupport for the Annual Campaign is essential for building and maintaining a strong Jewish community. This means providing for our most vulnerable individuals including seniors, the unemployed, individuals with disabilities and families in crisis, as well an investment in Jewish engagement and community-building.

This is the Jewish Federation’s enduring mission and message. It is the basis for what we do and why we exist.

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In Other Words…Our mission is simple. We take care of Jewish people in need, and we make sure that our community remains strong and growing. Everything we do directly supports these objectives - in Detroit, in Israel and around the world.

Why Federation: There are a variety of different ways to understand why our system is so critical to maintaining a healthy and vibrant community: ❶ Leveraging Your Dollar (Economic

Advantage) “The strength of our Federation system is that

by supporting a network of local and international agencies, your dollar is leveraged to address those needs in ways that could not be accomplished individually.”

• The term leveraging means that, by combining resources, our dollars can go further and do more good. As a community, we are much stronger and more efficient when our efforts are united and focused.

• For example, the State Grant for Mental Health Services to Special Populations is given in recognition of the excellent, cost effective mental health services provided by our Federation agencies. The State recognizes that by leveraging our support, their grant can assist more people with better services than they could on their own.

• The money raised to support Israel is substantially increased through matching funds from the Isreali government and other sources, at a rate of $3 dollars for every $1 dollar donated.

❷ Providing a Cornerstone for Our Jewish Community (Centrality)

“While most people have specific interests and causes they support, no single donor can possibly know the broad spectrum of needs throughout the Jewish world. Federation’s job is to identify the landscape of needs in our local and global community, and then to do the hard work of prioritizing and allocating funds.”

• With Federation’s direct programing and initiatives, as well as our support for local and international partner agencies, we maintain a healthy and vibrant Jewish community.

• Working closely with our international partners, we build community and take care of important needs for our fellow Jews in Israel and around the world.

• As the cornerstone and hub of our community, Federation enables us to become much greater than the sum of our parts.

❸ Tzedakah (Jewish Values) “Tzedakah, which means ‘righteousness’ or

‘social justice,’ is a fundamental Jewish value. More than simple generosity, tzedakah is an essential obligation that we hold as individuals to help those in need.

• Tikkun Olam means “repairing the world” and refers to our shared responsibility to heal and transform the world, chiefly by performing a mitzvah, or “good deed.” Mitzvot are not merely acts of charity or kindness, they are literally commandments, and are an essential aspect of our values and tradition.

• Another way this important value is expressed in through the phrase: Kol Yisrael arevim zeh la-zeh, which means that all Jews are responsible for one another.

❹ The Legacy of Jewish Detroit (Our History)

“We are here for the needs of today because we were here yesterday. With your support, we will be here for what comes tomorrow.”

• For close to a century, Federation has been the cornerstone of the community, helping build what is one of the strongest and most vibrant Jewish communities anywhere.

• Jewish Detroiters are exceptional in their generosity, and continue to be more philanthropic, per capita, than almost any other community in North America.

• Our response to recent crises, including the flooding that damaged local neighborhoods as well the barrage of Hamas rockets in Israel, is a powerful example of this theme.

Local Needs Support for Federation’s Annual Campaign remains essential for making sure our social service agencies have the resources they need to meet these critical needs in our local community.

❶ Eldercare / Senior “Today, Detroit has an extremely large—and

growing— population of senior residents, many of whom need support in order to live in comfort and dignity. Needs range from basic housing, food and medical care to opportunities for social and spiritual connection.”

PRIORITY SPOTLIGHT: Resources to Age In Place• Funding is needed to enable the significant

population of seniors who live their own homes or apartments to remain independent. The highest priority is in-home support services such as transportation with a companion, housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation, personal care, medication reminders, respite/companion and shopping.

• These services can make the difference between an older adult being able to remain at home versus being placed prematurely in a care facility.

• These services can make the difference between an older adult being able to remain at home versus being placed prematurely in a care facility.

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Our Message Today

The following represents our current priorities and challenges. These are the needs and issues facing our local and global Jewish community today.

Our Campaign Theme: Here For GoodHere For Good is Federation’s new message. It is a simple reminder that we are here to take care of the needs of the Jewish people and build a vibrant Jewish future in Detroit, in Israel and around the world. We are here for those needing help as well as those searching for connection, and we strive to ensure a bright future for everyone. With your support, Federation is Here For Good.

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2014-15 Local Snapshot

12,000

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Individuals in need of assistance served by Jewish Family Service

Kids rely on scholarship assistance to be able to attend summer camp

Seniors rely on Jewish Senior Life for warm, safe housing

❷ Families in Need “Supporting the needs of Jewish families,

including children, adults and seniors, is essential to the overall health of our community. This means providing case management, counseling, financial assistance, health care and mental health services among other supports.”

PRIORITY SPOTLIGHT: Returning Families to Self-Sufficiency

• The highest priority is helping individuals and families in crisis return to self-sufficiency. This means having sufficient funding to provide emergency financial assistance and case managers who can assist with information and referrals to needed resources and help the family to develop and implement a self-sufficiency plan.

❸ Employment “Despite the economic recovery, there is still a

critical need in our community to provide support and opportunities for those out of work or under employed. Vocational programs are also essential for seniors, at-risk youth, individuals with disabilities, veterans and those who are disadvantaged economically.”

PRIORITY SPOTLIGHT: Support for the Long-term Unemployed

• A high communal priority is ensuring that workers who are not in a position to, or ready to, retire are able to re-enter the workforce after layoffs due to downsizing or changes in their companies’ focus.

• These workers need career counseling, employment services, emotional support and encouragement. They often need to learn new skills, particularly how to use the most recent software and internet applications.

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❹ Individuals with Disabilities “Support for individuals with disabilities

enables them to lead productive, fulfilling lives. This includes both children and adults, who may require support in order to participate in the workforce. Massive funding cuts to mental health services at the county and state level pose a serious threat to the welfare of individuals with disabilities, as well as the agencies that serve them.”

PRIORITY SPOTLIGHT: Support for Children with Special Needs

• Providing children with special needs the opportunity to participate in Jewish educational and identity opportunities, including day and religious school and Jewish camping, is essential.

• High priorities are facilitating inclusion by providing dedicated workers to help these children in classrooms and in camp, training staff to work with people with special needs and making available scholarships to families who cannot afford tuition and fees.

❺ Education “Jewish education — for individuals of all

ages — provides a foundation for Jewish values and identity that strengthens and enriches every facet of life. Jewish identity is the basis for a strong and vibrant community.”

PRIORITY SPOTLIGHT: Making Jewish Education Affordable

• Making Jewish experiences affordable for those who cannot pay full fees by providing scholarships for Jewish day and congregational school, for Jewish camping, youth groups and Israel experiences is a high communal priority.

• Research has shown that the more Jewish experiences our children and youth have, the greater will be their connection and engagement to the Jewish community in the future.

Disabilities Funding Cuts

County Mental Health Funding State Mental Health Funding

DOWN35%

DOWN17%

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❶ The Next Generation Federation has been a leader in the efforts

to attract and retain young adults to the Detroit metro area. Through our NEXTGen Detroit department, we have engaged thousands of young Jews and actively supported their professional, social and spiritual lives in our community, helping build a home for the next generation.

❷ Women’s Philanthropy Through a variety of programs, events

and initiatives, Federation Women’s Philanthropy continues a long and vibrant tradition of engaging of women in all facets of Jewish life, including Jewish identity-building, community, leadership and philanthropy.

❸ Other Affinities Whether it be single Jewish parents,

teens, health professionals, families or adult learners, Federation is working to create meaningful connection and support. With a variety of inclusive programs, we are engaging individuals based on where they are and what they need to live fulfilling Jewish lives.

Building A Vibrant Jewish Future: Identity and Community-BuildingFederation is the leader in the engagement of individuals in Jewish life and community. Through our own programs and initiatives, as well as our close partnership with local organizations, agencies and congregations, we offer Jewish experience and connection for individuals of every age and background.

Challenges and Opportunities in IsraelThroughout its history, Israel has faced numerous threats, both foreign and domestic, yet has continued to survive and thrive as a growing, independent and democratic state. Today, Israel continues to face foreign existential threats (i.e. Iran) as well as serious social and economic problems. Support for Israel is essential in maintaining what is a central element in our collective Jewish identity as well as a place of safety and refuge for Jews around the world.

❶ Addressing Poverty and Youth at Risk “In Israel today, a large and growing

population lives in poverty, including many children — who are disproportionately affected. Our local Detroit funding supports programs which narrow the opportunity gap, giving impoverished Israeli an opportunity to succeed in school, the workplace and ultimately in life.”

• Today, over 23.5% of the Israeli population lives beneath the poverty line, including over 817,000 children.

• More than 1 out of 5 working age adults are not in the work force and rely on government stipends to support their families.

❷ Strengthening the Middle Class “Economic disparity is a significant issue in

Israel today. The “evaporating” middle class presents a significant long-term economic and security threat as a large number of scientists, engineers, doctors, educators and other professionals are forced to seek opportunities outside of the Israel.”

• This “intellectual drain” is a direct result of the polarized economy and the difficulty for young Israelis to earn a living and provide for their families.

• Professionals and their families who remain in Israel become a financial burden on their parents because of their inability to purchase their own housing or establish long- term economic independence.

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❸ Empowering Social Activism to Revitalize Communities

“Just like our local Detroit community, there are an increasing number of young social activists who are committing themselves to fostering long-term change in distressed communities and to building coalitions among neighborhood populations.”

• Federation funding has provided essential support to major revitalization efforts, such as in the city of Lod, a distressed community—not unlike Detroit—struggling with the challenges of crime, corruption, and poverty, and the corresponding loss of its young people. For the past several years, Lod has been experiencing a rebirth, primarily through the efforts of social activists living and working in the city.

• Parents and Children Together (PACT) was a JDC initiative to get young, Ethiopian immigrant children ready to enroll in school and begin their productive integration into Israeli society. This Federation-funded model was highly successful and ultimately adopted by government to assist all at-risk families, transforming the overall approach for early childhood services in the nation.

❹ Fostering People-to-People Connections in Israel and Around the World

“Innovative programs create a powerful bond between our Jewish community in Southeast Michigan and those around the global Jewish world. Our support impacts the lives of Jews in Israel and overseas, and strengthens a crucial people-to-people connection which enhances our own Jewish identity and helps grow philanthropy.”

• Since 1994, three Michigan communities, Metropolitan Detroit, Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids, have partnered with three municipalities in a region referred to as the Central Galilee. The Partnership strives to build and sustain long-lasting, people-to-people relationships through a variety of collaborative programs and shared resources, strengthening both communities.

• Other key programs include our Israeli Camper program, which has brought a group of Israeli campers to Tamarack Camps for the past 14 years, and our Taglit Community Birthright Program for young adults 26 years old or younger.

❺ Providing Humanitarian Aid in Times of Crisis “Working closely with our international

partner agencies, The Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), The American Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and World ORT, we offer critical support to Jewish and other populations during times of conflict, as well as in response to calamites around the world. “

• As a result of rising global Anti-Semitism and direct threats to international Jewish communities, we have seen an increase in aliyah to Israel over the past seven years. Our international partner agencies are on the front lines of the effort to bring Jews to safety in Israel, where absorption and resettlement efforts are essential in successfully integrating them into Israel’s social and economic society.

• In accordance with the value of Tikkun Olam, Jewish communities remain consistently involved in the efforts to provide relief during times of international crisis. This includes providing aid and support to Jewish communities under siege by Hamas, or stranded in Ukraine — as well as non-Jewish populations elsewhere, such as the earthquake victims in Haiti and Nepal.

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❷ Ukraine• Nearly a year has passed since pro-Russian

separatists began battling Ukrainian forces in the eastern party of the country and once again Jews are in danger. Thousands of Jews have either fled the region or remain trapped in the war zone.

• For the first time since World War II, Jews in Europe are displaced. Nearly 2,000 Jews in eastern Ukraine have had to leave their homes and are unable to find safe havens. In addition, 5,000 elderly and disabled Jews are trapped in their homes, unable to leave areas of conflict and cut off from the rest of the country.

• For the increased number of Jews seeking to relocate to Israel, our partners are enhancing vital educational and community aliyah programs.

Global NeedsThe Jewish Federation, working through its international agencies, provides critical support for vulnerable Jewish populations across the world, combating poverty, isolation, Anti-Semitism and other significant threats.

❶ Anti-Semitism• Jews throughout the world are threatened

by a resurgence of Anti-Semitic and Anti-Israel attacks. This has been documented throughout Europe, where synagogues have been firebombed, neighborhoods ransacked and expressions of violent hate-speech against Jews have become commonplace.

• Our international partner agencies are actively at work to combat Anti-Semitism, protect threatened populations and provide aliyah to Israel when necessary.

• Federation works to oppose the ‘Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions’ movement (BDS) on campus. Through our support of campus Hillels, we successfully have prevented the passage of BDS resolutions at the University of Michigan and elsewhere.

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ANTI-SEMITICANTI-ISRAEL ATTACKS

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Lisa CutlerSenior Director, Philanthropic Operations248.203.1458 cutler@jfmd.orfg

Stacey DeweeseDirector, Jewish Community Endowment Fund248.205.2547deweese@jfmd.org

Dan GreenbergDirector, Jewish Community Endowment Fund248.205.1923greenberg@jfmd.org

Jonathan LoweDirector, Jewish Philanthropic Fund248.205.2937

Susie FeldmanJewish Community Endowment Fund248.205.1923feldman@jfmd.org

Megan TopperJewish Community Endowment Fund248.205.1923topper@jfmd.org

Scott KaufmanChief Executive Officer248.205.1923kaufaman@jfmd.org

Scott SternChief Operations Officer248.205.2937stern@jfmd.org

Robert AronsonSenior Philanthropic Advisor248.205.2937aronson@jfmd.org

Contacts

6735 Telegraph Rd.Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303