First Quarter 2013
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Beyond the Tzedakah Box: Engaging Multiple Generations in Philanthropy
by Eileen Russ Heltzer, Development Officer, Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ
As we begin — or begin to finalize — our plans for the upcoming Seders and Passover rituals, we are inevitably drawn back to family. From opening up the matzo cover(s) the kids made in pre-school, to displaying the Seder plate we picked up on our last trip to Israel, I am inevitably drawn back into memories of Passover in my parents house in suburban Chicago.
Today my husband and I lead our family's Seder, and it is admittedly different than the ones I grew up experiencing. We've introduced new foods, new songs, and of course new people: our children, local cousins, friends from NY and NJ, and more. It is still ‘my' Seder, but it has grown a bit. Embracing that growth and the values and experiences of our growing family have made it richer for everyone.
Allowing for that kind of growth and change can be difficult, but only by adapting to the changing reality of our family can we have a Seder that reflects who we are today. The same is true of our philanthropic goals and activities. To better ensure that a family's philanthropic endeavors evolve with each generation, the Jewish Community Foundation (JCF) is proud to work with families across multiple generations as they develop their philanthropy together, especially younger adults in the "next generation" of our community.
Multi-Generation Family Philanthropy is about more than making a Tzedakah box with your kids. It is more than bringing them along to participate when you volunteer, or telling your adult children where the family's philanthropic investments go. At JCF, we believe that Multi-Generational Family Philanthropy is a process by which we work with families to develop a unified philanthropic vision based on core family values, driven by passions, and oriented toward achievements.
We welcome the opportunity to work with multiple generations of your family to discuss philanthropy, shared values, a family's legacy and how you can collaborate to create a better future for our communities.
This is just one of the ways JCF advances our mission in our Jewish community. To learn more, visit our web site (www.jcfmetrowest.org) or contact Daniel Staffenberg at (973) 929-3003 or dstaffenberg@jfedgmw.org.
Jewish Women's Foundation Appoints New Director
Lesley Frost and Teddi Dolph, co-chairs of Jewish Women's Foundation of New Jersey (JWF), have announced the appointment of Susan R. Friedman to be Director, JWF.
JWF funds projects to advance the empowerment of women and girls through education, advocacy, and strategic grant making. Of particular interest are projects and programs that increase the opportunities for all women and girls to live and grow in healthy, supportive environments, with equal opportunity for economic, religious, social, and political achievement.
JWF is an advisory council of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ. To learn more about JWF, contact Susan Friedman at (973) 929-3005 or sfriedman@jfedgmw.org.