Development News

M'Dor L'Dor - From Generation to Generation: JRF Midwest Region Honors Three Generations of the Saposnik Family

Jennifer Glowacki — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 11:07:33 -0400

Alan, Rubin and Isaac SaposnikRegister Online Now

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Please join the JRF Midwest region at M'Dor L'Dor - From Generation to Generation, a special program and dinner honoring Rubin, Alan and Isaac Saposnik. The event will be held at the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, 303 Dodge Avenue, Evanston, IL.

5:45 p.m. Registration and tour of the congregation’s new building.

Cost: $100 per person.

In honoring three generations of Saposniks – Rubin, Alan, and Isaac – the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation is essentially honoring two JRF congregations - Skokie, IL congregation Ezra Habonim, the Niles Township Jewish Congregation (EHNT) – one of the first congregations in the Reconstructionist movement, where Rubin Saposnik has been actively involved for many years – and JRC (Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation), which under Alan Saposnik’s leadership is becoming the first Reconstructionist synagogue to receive a LEED Green Environmental Certification. The program will feature the youth of the Reconstructionist movement, whom Isaac Saposnik has served as national director of No’ar Hadash—the Reconstructionist Youth Movement and as assistant director of Camp JRF.

Make a Difference with Your IRA

Lisa Tuttle — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 14:01:52 -0400

Has your IRA benefitted from years of growth? Consider this simple, easy way to make a gift to your congregation and the Reconstructionist movement.

If you are over age 70 1/2, you may annually gift any amount up to $100,000 of your IRA to charity. It's very easy to make the gift by directing your custodian to transfer a portion of your required minimum distribution directly to charity.

Visit www.jrfplannedgiving.org to learn more.

Unique Ways to Celebrate Simchas

Lisa Tuttle — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 23:30:11 -0400

Mezuzzah by Camp JRF CamperAre you looking for a wonderful gift to celebrate a simcha or honor an important person in your life? JRF offers a variety of opportunities to pay tribute to milestones and loved ones. Consider one of the following options:

Scholarships:
- Provide a scholarship for the next No'ar Hadash Summer Israel Experience
- Provide a scholarship for a child to attend Camp JRF

Special Programs:
- Sponsor a Reconstructionist Jewish Value at Camp JRF*
- Sponsor JRF's Online Silent Auction, where your congregation and JRF can work together to raise needed funds*
- Sponsor the forthcoming JRF Web-based Curriculum Project*
- Sponsor your congregation becoming a partner in promoting planned giving through JRF Interactive Planned Giving Website, debuting this fall at www.jrfplannedgiving.org
- Sponsor a section of Reconstructionism Today (RT)*
- Dedicate a JRF Book Shelf to your synagogue, campus Hillel or Camp JRF. Available titles include: Siddur Kol Hano'ar: The Voice of Children and the Kol Haneshamah prayerbook series. Each book will include a dedication bookplate commemorating an occasion, or honoring or memorializing a loved one. Or, dedicate an upcoming JRF Press Title!

Visit jrf.org/development for further details, or call JRF's Development Department at (215) 885-5601, ext. 19.

*Denotes a proposed new JRF program or initiative - call for details.

Hey! Take a Sneak Peek at JRF's New Planned Giving Website

Lisa Tuttle — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 23:01:00 -0400

In partnership with affiliated congregations, JRF is about to officially launch the fully interactive JRF Planned Giving Website. This educational website is intended to help congregations and havurot start or grow their endowments through promoting the giving of bequests, beneficiary gifts from IRAs and life insurance, and creating life income plans like charitable remainder trusts.

The site features:
- educational illustrations regarding various options for planned giving
- donor stories modeling why others are supporting their congregations and/or the Reconstructionist movement
- E-Newsletters for those interested, targeted to professional advisors or those simply interested in learning more about planned giving and endowment
- Resources including information about estate planning

Visit www.jrfplannedgiving.org. To learn more about this entire project, go to jrf.org/development_planned_giving.

For further information about planned giving, feel free to contact Barry Nove, JRF's director of development at 215-885-5601 ext. 19 or email bnove@jrf.org.

Camp JRF Meets Challenge and Receives Matching Funds Dollar-for-Dollar

Lisa Tuttle — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 22:41:25 -0400

Rabbi Jeffrey Eisenstat, director of Camp JRF, and David Nerenberg, president of the Reconstructionist Camping Corporation, announced on October 1st that Camp JRF met the "Ultimate Match Challenge" raising $300,000 by the September 30, 2007 deadline. The Challenge was initiated by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation of Springfield, MA. Upon meeting the Challenge, the Harold Grinspoon Foundation awarded Camp JRF a bonus check in the amount of $10,000. In addition, an anonymous donor, who established a $100,000 Incentive Challenge this summer to increase the match to nearly dollar-for-dollar, is shortly awarding that gift to Camp JRF. The funds raised through this Challenge were effectively doubled.

Kudos to all the donors and Camp JRF leadership for helping to meet the Challenge.

For further information about supporting Camp JRF, contact the JRF Development Department at 215-885-5601 x 19 or via email to Barry Nove, Director of Development at bnove@jrf.org or visit jrf.org/development.

JRF Establishes Relief Fund for California Wildfires

Lisa Tuttle — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 10:08:57 -0400

JRF has created a fund to respond to the needs of any of our affiliated congregations that have been impacted by the Southern California wildfires, as well as to organizations that are providing relief to victims. No administrative expenses are taken on these tax-deductible donations

To donate to JRF's Wildfires Emergency Fund, please send checks only, made out to JRF with "Wildfires" in the memo line, and mail to JRF's national headquarters at Beit Devora, 101 Greenwood Avenue, Suite 430, Jenkintown, PA 19046.

Donations may also be made online, however JRF is assessed a small fee for every credit card transaction, therefore we would prefer that you make your donation by check so that every penny goes to the cause. If you do choose to donate online, please note in the comment field that your donation is intended for the Wildfires Emergency Fund.

For further information contact Lisa Kelvin Tuttle, JRF's Communications Director, at (215) 885-5601.

Camp JRF Wish List

Barry Nove — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:25:19 -0400

Interested in making a gift in support of Camp JRF, but in a very specific way? Take a look at our wish for ideas for the perfect gift to commemorate a bar/bat mitzvah tzedakah project, or dedicate a unique gift to a loved one.

For further information contact JRF’s Development Department at bnove@jrf.org or call 215-885-5601 ext. 19

Stacking chairs for Hadar Ohel $ 45
Need: 48

Walking Talkie (professional for senior staff) $ 200
Need: 10

Underwrite a special Program $ 500
Need: 10

Scholarship for 1 child for 1 week $ 1,000
Need: 75

Fold-up lunch tables for Hadar Ohel $ 1,250
Need: 24

Computer and laser printer $ 2,500
Need: 1

Laptop computer $ 2,500
Need: 1

Israeli Counselor underwriter $ 2,500
Need: 10

Underwrite a Reconstructionist Value Coordinator $ 3,000
Need: 6 (provides a staff educator)

Golf Cart (seats two) $ 6,000

Golf Cart (multi-passenger – seats six) $ 7,500

Mini-van $32,000

Flat-bed truck $35,000

Endowed Reconstructionist Value $72,000
(Provides a educational coordinator and program)

• Avodah, Service;
• Dereh Eretz, Character;
• Hiddur Mitzvah, Creativity;
• Huhmah, Wisdom;
• Kedushah, Embodied Spirituality;
• Teva, Conservation and the practice of “greening;”
• Tikkun Olam, Repair the World;
• Tzedakah, Justice
• Ziyonut, Peoplehood
And
• Kehillah, Inclusiveness, community

Partner with JRF’s Planned Giving Website

Barry Nove — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:18:45 -0400

The Jewish Reconstructionist Federation (JRF) would like your congregation to become one of the charter sponsors in the effort to launch the JRF Interactive Planned Giving Website this fall. We need seven congregational Charter Sponsors to launch this endeavor.

JRF in partnership with congregations across North America will debut jrfplannedgiving.org. The information below is being sent to all congregations within the movement interested in taking advantage of this exciting opportunity to become sponsors of the JRF Interactive Planned Giving Website.

Features of the Planned Giving Website
• Create Your Own Confidential Planned Giving Illustration;
• Advertise Your Donor Stories, highlighting planned giving donors from your congregation;
• Provide eNewsletters about current developments in the planned giving arena to lay leaders and professionals.

Premiere Charter Sponsors - TAKEN
• The planned giving website offers only 3 Premiere Charter sponsorship logo links. Each of these sponsorships is hyperlinked directly to the congregation’s website.
• Cost is $750 annually (only a single year commitment is required).
• One Donor Story will be made available to Premiere Charter Sponsors on the site throughout the year, enabling the congregation to recognize various planned giving stories from their community (includes photo).

Charter Sponsors
• Congregations that are Charter Sponsors will be directly linked from the JRF Development webpage.
• Cost is $500 annually (only a single year commitment is required).
• One Donor Story will be made available to Charter Sponsors on the site for a minimum of 3 months, enabling the congregation to recognize various planned giving stories from their community (includes photo).

Please note: Charter Sponsors will receive a free upgrade to a minimum of One Donor Story slot for 12 months, if they become a Charter Sponsor by August 31st. After August 31, 2007, upgrade for $250 for an additional 3 months or $500 for the full year.

Partnering with JRF

Please consider having your congregation become a Charter Sponsor today. Once you take a look at the JRF Interactive Planned Giving Website (still in development), you will instantly see the value of this very modest investment in promoting a wonderful vehicle to leave a legacy to your congregation and/or the movement.

Become a Sponsor by October 1, 2007 and as an added benefit
Your Congregation will also receive:

• A 50% discount, a cost of 50 cents per card, on the forthcoming Educational Planned Giving Postcard Series. Each card in the series will feature a photo of your congregation, its logo, and a contact listing. (For non-sponsors, the cost is $1.00 per card.)

• For purposes of cost effectiveness, each card can be shared by a group of congregations interested in promoting planned giving in a region. (There are four full-color postcards in the series.) Minimum group printing is 1,000 sets. The cost includes all postage and handling.

• Each card comes with a complimentary matching ad, suitable for inclusion in congregation newsletters or flyers.

Please note: In order for production to commence, three postcard series, composed of a minimum of 1,000 cards each, must be ordered. All cards must be produced at one time. Postcards will be mailed centrally on a quarterly basis after scheduled production in November 2007. Congregations may request cards for distribution purposes to be used, for example, on congregation display tables. Deadline for orders is October 19, 2007.

For further information or to sign-up, please contact Barry Nove, Director of Development, at 215-885-5601 x 19 or via email at bnove@jrf.org.

Camp JRF Book Shelf project a success!

Lisa Tuttle — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 11:46:04 -0400

The new siddurim arrive at campThe effort to provide prayer books to Camp JRF has been achieved. Generous donations from across North America have provided over 200 sets (daily and Shabbat siddurim) of Kol Haneshamah to Camp JRF. The books arrived in time for opening day of camp.

As part of the JRF "Book Shelf" program, donors provided one set of Kol Haneshamah (the Shabbat and daily prayer book) for a gift of $50, and JRF covered shipping. The set retails for $57. For a minimum donation of $100, two or more sets included personalized dedication bookplates in memory of or in honor of a loved one or an occasion.

The siddurim dedicated through this appeal will permanently reside at Camp JRF. This support sends a special message of caring to the campers - one the kids note every week of camp as they begin prayers in the outdoor sanctuary that they built themselves.

To learn how you can establish a Book Shelf project in your community, call Barry Nove, JRF's director of development, at 215-885-5601 ext. 19, or email bnove@jrf.org.

Help a child attend Camp JRF this summer!

Lisa Tuttle — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 14:00:26 -0400

First day of campCamp JRF commenced with excitement and joy, as you can see in this photo taken last week as the first session of the season began.

Camp JRF's goal is to make it possible for every Jewish child to participate in the life-changing Jewish experience that Camp JRF provides, regardless of his or her family's circumstances. For many Jewish families the enriching experience of Jewish overnight camp is cost prohibitive. There are over seventy-five children in need of scholarships to come to Camp JRF this summer. We ask you to join us in making Camp JRF available this summer to as many Jewish children as possible.

This year we are seeking $75,000 in gifts to meet the scholarship needs of those children who have expressed a desire to attend Camp JRF, but whose families lack the financial resources. The cost per week for a child to participate at Camp JRF is approximately $1,000, which is also the average scholarship amount. The entire camp season is 7 weeks.
We have raised almost half of the scholarship funds needed, providing for those attending the first session; however, we have an even larger group of children planning to attend the second session and the majority of those seeking scholarship are planning to attend that session in three weeks' time.

Your generosity is an investment whose return is beyond measure. You can help make it affordable for a family to send a child to camp and, in turn, impact Jewish continuity and instill the joy of Judaism for generations to come.

Donations can be made online at www.campjrf.org by choosing "Campers" and then clicking the "Donate Now" button, or by using the tear-off response form below. You may also call JRF's Development Department at 215-885-5601 ext. #19.

Thank you for helping Camp JRF provide every child, regardless of financial capacity, an opportunity to experience . . . the number one transformative activity for Jewish children!

Checks made payable to Camp JRF may be sent to Barry Nove, JRF, Beit Devora, 101 Greenwood Avenue, Suite 430, Jenkintown, PA 19046.

Thank you!

David Nerenberg, President, Camp JRF
Rabbi Jeff Eisenstat, Camp Director