After Bar Mitzvahs, too many teenage boys go away from Judaism, many in the New York Jewish community say. The Brotherhood program, supported by a grant from UJA-Federation of New York, is working to bring them back.

The Brotherhood program, run by Moving Traditions, engages teen boys by exploring Jewish values. The eight sessions connects Jewish themes to everyday life, exploring topics such as violence, finance, and college. The program is also a time for the boys to relax and talk with friends.

“It’s providing them a chance to discuss their faith. They let down their guard a little and share the struggles of being a high school boy,” says Andrew Paull, youth coordinator at Larchmont Temple, one of seven metropolitan New York sites with a total of 170 participants.

“These teens need the support from someone who has been in their shoes,” says Jesse Silver, a lay leader on UJA-Federation’s Commission on Jewish Identity and Renewal’s Experiments in Teen Engagement Task Force. Moving Traditions works extensively to select and train group leaders, Silver notes.

Exploring Jewish Male Identity

The program creates a comfortable environment often associated with Jewish summer experiences, says Paull, a former Jewish camper. “I knew what it meant to have that male Jewish connection,” he says. “The Brotherhood is a way to create that during the year.”

For the final group session at Larchmont Temple, fathers joined their sons for a barbecue to experience the program firsthand. “I was really impressed with how the boys were participating, really talking about qualities of what it means to be a Jewish man,” says Scott Riemer, of his son Robert’s group.

Though the long-term impact of the recently created program is not yet known, Paull sees a renewed commitment from his group. “Once they’re done with the program,” he says, “they really remember how much Judaism means to them.”

For more information on UJA-Federation’s Experiments in Teen Engagement Task Force, contact Daniel Fast.

Even late into his chemotherapy regimen, Isi Moed preferred to get to the doctor on his own. Before he was overtaken by cancer, Moed was an active man who enjoyed swimming and playing tennis into his 70s. But as the cancer progressed, he and his family had to face the reality that he could no longer get around independently. They decided he had reached the limits of the benefit the chemo could give him.

A music therapist pays a home visit to one of MJHS’ hospice care patients. Photo courtesy of MJHS

Nadine Fischler, one of Moed’s daughters, recounts how she was greatly helped by the professional staff of what is now MJHS Hospice and Palliative Care, a beneficiary agency of UJA-Federation. “They were so gentle and soft-spoken and feeling our emotions. They were almost part of the family. Before we were able to tell them his story they knew why they were there,” she says.

The hospice care staff helped Fischler and her family figure out how to make Moed as comfortable as possible in his home, shepherded the family through the emotional challenges of saying goodbye, and advising on the Jewish rituals surrounding death, burial and bereavement.

In addition to helping patients create a comfortable end-of-life environment in their homes, MJHS also operates the Mollie and Jack Zicklin Jewish Hospice Residence, the first, and one of the only, Jewish residential hospices in the New York area. The Zicklin Residence upholds the highest standards of Jewish dietary laws, organizes Jewish holiday celebrations, and offers counseling on end-of-life issues for patients and their families through an on-staff rabbi as well as rabbinic chaplaincy interns from the Jewish Theological Seminary.

“The rabbinic interns don’t just take care of Jewish people,” says Miryam Rabner, the Jewish Outreach Coordinator and Facilities Coordinator at the Zicklin Residence. “They’re coming from the Jewish tradition of tikkun olam, or repairing the world. Everyone is created in the image of G-d, and that colors the way we respond to people and how we treat them.”

Filling the Vacuum

The Zicklin Residence, which opened in 2005, was conceived by UJA-Federation’s Caring Commission when its End-of-Life Taskforce recognized the vacuum of Jewish hospice services. “There was always residential hospice care but we never had, in New York City, a standalone Jewish hospice facility,” says Paul Kronish, a founding chair of the task force.

Two years after her father passed away, Fischler turned to MJHS once again when her mother, Molly Moed, was diagnosed with cancer. When it became clear that Mrs. Moed had passed the point of treatment, she entered the Zicklin Residence. Now Fischler works as a volunteer at MJHS helping others experience their last days as her parents did, in “a calming, loving, and dignified way.”

Many AIPAC contributors find that they can easily establish their legacy with a gift of cash or by transferring stocks to AIPAC or its affiliated charitable organization. Both options allow contributors to realize multiple tax advantages now.

A gift of cash can be made to AIPAC (Tax ID # 53-0217164) or charitably to the American Israel Education Foundation (Tax ID # 52-1623781).

How to Give Your Cash or Stocks Gift

Cash gifts are the simplest way to give. Use this low-income producing asset to fund your AIPAC Tomorrow gift. Stock contributions offer you an easy and tax efficient way to fund your AIPAC Tomorrow gift. We consider gifts of private or restricted stock on a case by case basis.

To discuss such gifts, please contact AIPAC Endowment Director Jodi Kurtis. You also can contact Jodi to discuss the best way to make your outright gift of cash or stocks. Your gift of $100,000 or more will establish a named endowment fund.

Stock must be directly transferred to AIPAC or its affiliated charitable organization in order to receive maximum tax benefits from the gift. Contact us to receive the transfer information.

Whether cash or liquidated stocks, the principle gift amount will remain intact and be invested in the endowment fund until your passing. At that point, the earnings from your investment will be distributed into AIPAC's annual budget at a rate of 5% per year.

Benefits of a Gift of Cash or Stocks

There are many benefits that may be available to you by contributing a gift of cash or stocks.

One hundred percent of your stock market earnings can be used to help secure Israel's future. And, transferring appreciated stocks that have been held for a year or more also enables you to avoid paying the capital gains tax. By designating your gift to AIPAC's affiliated charitable organization, you will receive an income tax deduction in the year you make the donation. For a gift of stocks, you will receive an income tax deduction for the value of the shares you donate. A gift of cash or stocks made during your lifetime removes the asset thereby reducing your taxable estate. Transferring appreciated stocks from your holdings may also enable you to avoid paying capital gains taxes.

 

The AIPAC Tomorrow Campaign is a planned giving and endowment initiative of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC-Tax ID: 53-0217164) and its affiliated charitable organization, the American Israel Education Foundation (AIEF- Tax ID 52-1623781).

 

When You Make a Contribution AIPAC Tomorrow gifts create a perpetual revenue stream to ensure that AIPAC can pursue its work for generations to come. The gifts are professionally managed and securely invested. Once you make your legacy gift, your money will be invested conservatively, under the guidance of our Investment Committee, which includes qualified money management professionals. Once your fund is making annual distributions, five percent of the principal amount of your gift will go toward AIPAC's work. If you specify that your gift should target a certain program or fund, your gift will go directly into the budget of that program. If you direct your contribution to AIPAC, your money can fund the core lobbying and political work of the organization. Your gift will fund important educational programming if you specify to AIPAC's affiliated charitable organization. Please e-mail AIPAC Endowment Director Jodi Kurtis with any further questions.

The AIPAC Tomorrow Campaign is a planned giving and endowment initiative of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC-Tax ID: 53-0217164) and its affiliated charitable organization, the American Israel Education Foundation (AIEF- Tax ID 52-1623781).

 

Non-Chartiable Legacy Giving

Your legacy gift directly to AIPAC can pay for 100 percent of AIPAC's lobbying and political expenses-the heart of AIPAC's work. A non-charitable gift is made directly to AIPAC's budget and is not tax-deductible. AIPAC relies heavily on these dollars, given its core, non-charitable mission. These funds will continue to allow AIPAC to be involved in more than 100 initiatives each year aimed at providing Israel with the financial, diplomatic and military support critical to Israel's future security.

Contributions and bequests directly to AIPAC are not tax deductible.

Charitable Legacy Giving

Your charitable legacy gift can fund a specific subset of AIPAC's work. This includes AIPAC's educational work, which helps inform and inspire influential Americans to see firsthand why Israel is special and valued as a democratic and strategic ally. This educational work includes highly specialized trips to Israel and creative programming in Washington, D.C. and around the country for congressional staff, political leaders from key communities, students, rabbis and media professionals.

Bequests to AIPAC's affiliated charitable organization, (The American Israel Educational Foundation) are tax deductible. Because AIPAC's core mission cannot be supported by charitable dollars, the Foundation does not separately seek annual contributions.

Your advisor can provide additional guidance as part of the gift planning process and you are encouraged to contact AIPAC Endowment Director Jodi Kurtis.

The AIPAC Tomorrow Campaign is a planned giving and endowment initiative of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC-Tax ID: 53-0217164) and its affiliated charitable organization, the American Israel Education Foundation (AIEF- Tax ID 52-1623781).

Many Reasons To Give America is Israel's only dependable ally, supplying critical economic, military and diplomatic support. America and Israel rely upon each other today and tomorrow. Half of Congress has changed over the past decade. AIPAC works to ensure that new policymakers appreciate the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship. Iran is closer than ever to acquiring a nuclear weapons capability which would threaten the international community. Hamas continues to call for Israel's destruction. Hizballah, with the help of Iran and Syria, has reportedly amassed close to 60,000 long, medium and short-range rockets and missiles which can reach all major population centers. A strong Israel protects America's strategic interests abroad. Close U.S.-Israel ties are key to forging peace in the Middle East. A vibrant U.S.-Israel relationship helps be sure critical cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

Your gift to The AIPAC Tomorrow Campaign helps ensure that whatever the future holds, AIPAC will be there to ensure America stands by Israel.

Secure AIPAC's Work

By making a gift today to The AIPAC Tomorrow Campaign, you can be sure that what you care about will live on long into the future.

Your legacy gift will ensure AIPAC's continued capacity to evolve as America and Israel's needs change.

With your help, AIPAC will have the resources in the decades to come to ensure that a new generation of congressional leaders cares about America's friendship with Israel and continues to work to build the alliance.

With your help, AIPAC will continue to work on initiatives which will ensure that Israel receives the economic, military and diplomatic support it needs to stay strong.

By making a bequest in your will today, you can secure AIPAC's vital work for generations to come.

The AIPAC Tomorrow Campaign is a planned giving and endowment initiative of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC-Tax ID: 53-0217164) and its affiliated charitable organization, the American Israel Education Foundation (AIEF- Tax ID 52-1623781).

70 CE

Romans destroyed the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

855 CE

Jews were exiled from Italy.

1096

Crusaders massacre Jews in Europe.

1107

Moroccan Jews are forced to either convert to Islam or be expelled.

1290

England banishes all Jews.

1306

100,000 Jews are exiled from France.

1492

200,000 Jews are expelled during the Spanish Inquisition.

1582

Holland expels all Jews.

1903

Anti-Jewish mob attacks occur in Russia.

1939

The Holocaust begins.

 

 

70 CE

Romans destroyed the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

855 CE

Jews were exiled from Italy.

1096

Crusaders massacre Jews in Europe.

1107

Moroccan Jews are forced to either convert to Islam or be expelled.

1290

England banishes all Jews.

1306

100,000 Jews are exiled from France.

1492

200,000 Jews are expelled during the Spanish Inquisition.

1582

Holland expels all Jews.

1903

Anti-Jewish mob attacks occur in Russia.

1939

The Holocaust begins.

 

 

When Fatma Abu Jafar and her fellow students at the AHD School for Science in the Negev heard that Israeli President Shimon Peres would visit their school this past spring, Fatma says she and her friends were doubtful he would show up.

That President Peres did in fact make the visit to recognize the school’s excellence shows how far this school has come in the three short years it has served students in the Bedouin community in the southern part of Israel, one of the country’s poorest regions.

AHD School for Science, located in Shoket Junction, was helped in its development by UJA-Federation of New York. Come this September, the school will have 380 students in grades nine through twelve from Bedouin Arab towns and villages.

President Shimon Peres receives notebook of student remarks at the AHD High School for Science in the Negev. From left, school principal Dr. Salem Al Sana; Dr. Stephen Shapiro, chair of International Advisory Committee and lay leader at UJA-Federation of New York; Jihad El-Sana, Chair of AHD Association; Peres; Dr. Mohammed Alnabari, Mayor of Hura.

“We are supporting the school because it can help develop the immense potential of the Bedouin community, a vibrant segment of Israeli society,” says Stephen D. Shapiro, a lay leader of UJA-Federation. “The school is an extraordinary community development effort that has as an ultimate goal the full participation of its students in Israel’s high tech society.”

Shapiro, chair of the Commission on the Jewish People’s Community

“We do the most good when we do it together.”

With that line, Todd Richman, a chair of UJA-Federation of New York’s Summerfest brought a roar from the crowd of 1,400 at the 21st annual concert event on Long Island, held August 10th. The size of the audience was a record and so was the total gift of $1.6 million.

The evening was a festive one, with pre- and post-concert parties bookending a high-energy concert by Meat Loaf that had the audience on its feet dancing and singing. Scott Jaffee, a longtime lay leader of UJA-Federation, and owner of the Metropolitan Realty Group, received the Robert S. Boas Award for his more than 20 years of service.

(L to R) Frank Zuckerbrot and Gary Podell present the Robert S. Boas award to Scott Jaffee at UJA-Federation’s Summerfest Concert featuring Meat Loaf. Photo by Michael Priest Photography.

Richman and other speakers during the evening at the NYCB Theatre at Westbury stressed the community’s ability to come together and make a difference. “When you connect to UJA-Federation, you will actually change lives,” Richman said.