Report
From William C. Rudolph and Jeffrey H. Finkelstein
Numbers sometimes tell a story. More than $12.8 million raised in the Jewish Federation's 2011 Annual Campaign, to support human services in Pittsburgh, Israel and around the world… More than $14.4 million raised by the Federation's Jewish Community Foundation, to position us for a vibrant and dynamic future.
All good news. But this is only half the story.
Along with raising the money, the Federation strives to assure our generous donors that financial resources are used as efficiently and effectively as possible. We take pride in the partnerships we've established that enable us to do that. Those relationships have resulted in successes that make our Federation a leader among non-profits – and a model for other communities.
One example is AgeWell Pittsburgh, a visionary collaboration of the Jewish Association on Aging, the Jewish Community Center and Jewish Family & Children's Service that ensures the most comprehensive services for our community's seniors, to keep them safe, healthy and enriched. Another is the Pittsburgh Jewish Day Schools Council, bringing together Community Day School, Hillel Academy and Yeshiva Schools, to share their passion for – and advance the cause of – Jewish learning and engagement.
And these accomplishments, in turn, are made possible by other partnerships, especially our ongoing work with the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, whose $900,000 grant towards health and human services facilitates so much of the important work our agencies are able to accomplish.
But chief among our key partnerships are the ones we have with our donors and volunteers, without whom we could not begin to dream of these achievements, let alone bring them to fruition.
It is impossible to reflect on the extraordinary year behind us without referencing another number that tells a story: 100. This year marks our 100th year of service to our community, city and region. 100 years of writing our local Jewish history and meeting the challenges of each ensuing decade.
Our Centennial, which we will celebrate throughout the coming year with special programs, will include a unique Mega Mission to Israel, June 19-28, 2012, featuring special tracks for families, seasoned Israel travelers and first-timers, as well as opportunities to choose your own itinerary. Please consider joining us, to share the excitement of experiencing Israel as a community.
Finally, we extol one Centennial project that simply could not wait for our 100th year. The Centennial Fund for a Jewish Future (CFJF), the most ambitious endowment effort ever undertaken by our Jewish Community Foundation, got a head start this year – and has already raised $16 million. CFJF creates a bridge for our community as we prepare to embark on the next 100 years, by ensuring funding for Jewish learning experiences of all kinds, to more fully engage our community in Jewish life, thus ensuring a strong and vital community for the future.
William C. Rudolph
Chair of the Board
Jeffrey H. Finkelstein
President/CEO
