Planting the Seeds for New and Innovative Programs

The following is a reprint of the JCF's Money Matters column, published in the June 11, 2025 issue of the Jewish Community Voice, titled, "Planting the seeds for new and innovative programs":

Ages ago, the famed Johnny Appleseed gave back to others by planting apple tree seeds across the land. In a modern parallel, for over 25 years, the Jewish Community Foundation, Inc. of Southern New Jersey has given back to our local community by distributing “seed money” for new and innovative programs and services.

Each spring and fall, the JCF’s Grants Committee, chaired by Rhona Cohen and Susan Olinsky, diligently reviews applications and awards JCF Grants totaling approximately $100,000 per year to nonprofits and synagogues serving Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties. These dollars are available thanks to donors who established endowment funds to perpetuate this important funding.

For the Spring 2025 JCF Grants Cycle, 22 separate requests were fulfilled with a sum of $41,300 in grant awards benefiting 15 separate organizations. For a list of the grantees and the titles of their programs, visit bit.ly/JCFGrantsSp25

Simultaneously, many initiatives that received JCF Grant funding occur throughout the year to benefit the SNJ community. To give you a taste of these successes, enjoy the following three stories:

• Chabad Lubavitch of Camden and Burlington Counties: Though this took place in December, Chabad’s Rabbi Mendel Mangel shared, “The Chanukah Menorah Parade and Giant Menorah Lighting was an unforgettable night of unity, light, and celebration as we spread the message of Chanukah throughout our community.” The JCF supported this lively annual event by funding 12 new menorahs placed on cars and paraded through South Jersey.

• Jewish Family & Children’s Service: According to Lydia Silpe, JFCS Grant and Outreach manager, “JFCS partnered with BBYO South Jersey Region for a year-long Standup Initiative, engaging teens in leadership development and meaningful community service across JFCS programs.” The teens supported Project SARAH (Stop Abusive Relationships at Home), Holocaust Survivors, families in need, and residents of Saltzman House. For example, “The final project, a Supermarket Sweep, brought together BBYO teens from multiple chapters to purchase, deliver, and stock kosher food at the Betsy and Peter Fischer Food Pantry (pictured) using donated supermarket gift cards. Through these initiatives, teens strengthened their connection to the community while providing meaningful support to those in need. The program not only fostered leadership skills but also instilled a sense of responsibility and compassion, ensuring a lasting impact on both the participants and the individuals they served.”

• Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey: In March, the Federation’s Combinator initiative, led by Michele Golkow, hosted “Building CommUNITY.” Federation Grants Coordinator Ilana Weiss noted, “The program, called ‘Communicating Across Differences’ consisted of 2 two-hour workshops held over consecutive days in March. The program was facilitated by Resetting the Table (RTT), a nonprofit organization that specializes in training on this topic across the nation. Senior rabbis from our tri-county synagogues and executive directors of our two day schools, Federation and agencies were invited to attend the workshops. All invited groups participated in the workshops, for a total of 22 participants. The workshops taught participants specific skills to communicate across differences on charged issues, such as ‘following meaning,’ ‘naming differences,’ and ‘demonstrating understanding.’ RTT also provided an opportunity for participants to practice these new skills in both large group and smaller group settings during the workshops. The workshops provided the additional benefit of participants getting to know each other better, becoming more comfortable with each other, and strengthening relationships by working together.”

Thank you to each of these organizations leading the charge with meaningful and vastly different initiatives that enhance this community. The JCF takes pride in awarding grants that bear fruit.

The next JCF Grants Cycle will begin this summer, with the application deadline set for October 24.

Learn more at jcfsnj.org/grants

dsnyder@jfedsnj.org