Who needs the Jewish Federation?

Who needs the Jewish Federation?

Everyday you ve got a million things on your mind, a thousand things to do and too many people pulling for a piece of your attention. So how can you tell if an idea is destined to hold a really special place in your life?

For many, the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston is the balancing point in a too-busy world. It s staying in touch with deeply held values and reaching out to help others at home and abroad. It s sharing the things that really matter with the people who really get it. It s embracing our timeless identity as Jews in an ever-changing world. And who needs that?

Our neighbors need Being Jewish matters. It shapes who we are, how we live and the way we look at the world. It makes us care about our community. It motivates us to make sure our elders can live with dignity and purpose. It compels us to keep our eyes open for those facing life s difficulties. It moves us to leverage resources so that we come through when our neighbors need us.

it. Thanks to our donors, we subsidize medications for the elderly in Houston, Israel and around the world. The Federation provides Meals on Wheels for homebound seniors in Houston and in the Former Soviet Union.

Our children need it. We believe our heritage matters. So we work to preserve it. To share it with those who come after us. Our future matters, so we are vigilant about doing the things that will make it bright, peaceful and promising. It matters that our children have thriving families, a solid Jewish foundation, books about being Jewish and can go on trips to Israel. They need us as they grow up, and the world needs them to stay connected.

Every month, the Federation provides more than 1,000 Houston children with high-quality Jewish books through the PJ Library. Forty-five teens have engaged in a Federation program that trains them to become advocates for Israel on college campuses.

Jewish communities in Israel and around the world need it. When there is hardship, either here or around the world, it touches all of us. So mitzvahs matter, as well as reaching out to end suffering and standing tall for the values we believe in. There are no limits on our spirit. No boundary lines on where we send help when needed.

The Federation has held a 30-year partnership with the neighborhoods of Yoseftal and Dado in Petach Tikvah, Israel. With your help, we provide winter relief including fuel for heating and warm blankets for the elderly in the Former Soviet Union.

Good will, community and accomplishment enrich each of us. So celebrating the holidays with loved ones matters, as does sharing the traditions and the pillars of our faith. This sharing of who we are and the lives we live is a need that enriches generations. We all need it to keep our community vibrant.

We provide training to 500 early childhood, day school and religious school teachers, reaching 4,300 Houston Jewish students. The Federation has advocated and spearheaded a Homeland Security Grant initiative totaling $3.8 million for high-risk, non-profits to protect local families.

Every day, the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston works to preserve and promote Jewish life. We monitor needs and emerging issues and keep the community informed. We pull together all who care, from philanthropists to worthy organizations to the general public. If it is crucial, promising, or destined to make a difference, we will make the facts known, and make it happen.

Every dollar has an impact $ 500 provides one wheelchair for a resident at Seven Acres. $ 1,000 provides one month of supportive employment for a disabled adult in Houston. $ 420 provides 12 monthly food vouchers for a needy family in Bulgaria. $ 46 provides one week of kosher Meals on Wheels for a homebound senior in Houston. $ 80 provides assistance for new immigrants transitioning to life in Israel. $ 400 provides a crib, high chair and stroller for one baby in a needy family in Latin America.

Why we need you. Does being Jewish matter to you? If so, support the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston. Your voice, your ideas, your participation and your donations really matter. We have found that connecting with a larger, caring community fills a very deep need in all of us who are part of it.

Jewish Federation at a glance Educate Free Jewish books for young children through PJ Library Teacher training Community-wide class for special needs students Teen Israel advocacy training Scholarships for Jewish camps and Israel travel Coordination of Title funding for Day School services Congregational School initiatives Education Resource Center Cross-denominational collaborative education forums Advocate Advocating on issues of importance to the community Day in Austin Department of Homeland Security Grants initiative Legislative Mission to Israel Mickey Leland Kibbutzim Internship Support Fund for the Jewish Future Local and overseas basic needs from hot meals to job training Jewish community around the globe Enriching Israel Get Involved Women s Philanthropy Jerome Robinson Family Young Adult Division Men s Night Out Super Sunday Community Mission to Israel Maimonides Society Cardozo Society Yom Limmud Day of Learning Professional Leadership Network Young Adult Venture Philanthropy & Leadership Development Community Leadership Council

Jewish Federation of Greater Houston 5603 South Braeswood Blvd. Houston, TX 77096 713.729.7000 houstonjewish.org