it happens because of you…

Click here to see our Stakeholder Report, which provides you with data, stories and insights that demonstrate the remarkable results you are achieving through Federation. The report shows the outcome of our community needs study conducted by Brandeis University, which reveals the most urgent areas of need facing Jewish Palm Beach – as well as the powerful response that we are creating together.

Gisela, Holocaust survivor, able to live at home with dignity.

Gisela, a 91-year-old native of Hungary who survived the horrors of Auschwitz, today lives in Boynton Beach. Though Gisela is frail and her family lives in Connecticut, she is able to live at home independently thanks to Kramer Senior Services, a subsidiary of MorseLife Health System and partner of Federation. Sharon, a local volunteer, delivers kosher meals to Gisela each week; the two have weekly discussions and enjoy a meaningful friendship. But Gisela doesn’t spend all of her time at home; she connects and finds companionship with other Holocaust survivors at AJFCS’ programs each month.

Elana, Jewish teen leader, brings her Jewish community advocacy to campus
Today, Elana Deutch is vice president of her university’s Hillel chapter. In many ways, her Jewish journey began with Federation scholarships that enabled her to take part in immersive Jewish experiences. After her Bat Mitzvah, Elana received Federation’s Gift of Israel voucher, allowing her to take part in the March of the Living program. A Federation scholarship also provided her with the opportunity to connect with Israel and our global family on Federation’s Young Ambassadors program. Elana also advocated on behalf of our community in Washington, DC on Jewish Teen Initiative’s Panim el Panim. Now in college, Elana is using the skills and passion she developed with Federation experiences to connect hundreds of Jewish students to Jewish life. She also speaks around the Palm Beaches to inspire other teens to be involved.

One year ago, Zach and Ravid shared little in common. Zach, from Lake Worth, showed minimal interest in Jewish life. Ravid, who lives in Federation’s Partnership2Gether region, had never left the small town of Rosh Pina. Zach stepped out of his comfort zone and traveled to Israel on Federation’s Bonim Chaim-Young Ambassadors program, a hands-on, in-depth Israel experience for teens. The program combined learning and social action, while offering Zach the opportunity to live with Ravid’s family. Six months later, Ravid visited the Palm Beaches with other Israeli teens, staying with Zach’s family. Zach and Ravid’s experiences together built a bond between them and their communities. Today, each serves as an ambassador of the other’s culture and perspective – bridging the 
gap between our communities.

A Tuesday afternoon turned out to be anything but ordinary for three-year-old Ethan Frost, who lives in Wellington. Ethan received a knock at the door – only to discover he and his family were the recipients of the 100,000th PJ Library® book in the greater Palm Beaches. An award-winning literacy program implemented by Friedman Commission for Jewish Education, PJ Library® delivers free Jewish books and music to families in our community. For Ethan’s special delivery, community members Dorothy Adler and Sheila Engelstein read Runaway Latkes to Ethan and his mother, teaching them about the traditions of Hanukkah.

Shira, a 12-year-old girl who lives in Federation’s Partnership2Gether region, was struggling in school because of her problems with anger. Her school principal recommended she participate in Youth Futures, a Partnership2Gether program that provides at-risk children and families with mentors who work with them over several years. Shira’s mentor, Racheli, helped her learn to turn her anger into words and listening. After one year of Youth Futures, Shira’s grades improved, she made more friends, and she now regularly exhibits better control over her anger. After five years with Youth Futures – as Racheli puts it – “Shira is ready for anything.”