Farewell to Emissaries Shabbat Dinner

Enjoy a delicious Shabbat dinner and musical entertainment as we bid farewell to our Israeli emissaries, Noam and Ron.

When:  Friday, May 31 at 5:00 p.m.
Where:  Congregation B'nai Torah, 2 Eunice Drive, Longmeadow
Cost:  $15 per adult; $10 per child ages 4-13; free for children under 3; $50 family price

This dinner is partially funded by a grant from the Jewish Endowment Foundation.  To make your reservation, click here.

13 Extraordinary Women

Women's Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts will celebrate local women and their accomplishments at "13 Extraordinary Women Share Their Secrets" on Wednesday, June 5 at 7:00 pm.  The event will be held at Mill 1 at Open Square, 4 Open Square Way in Holyoke.

The 13 women will have just 3 minutes each to share their formulas for success in their personal, professional and Jewish lives.  The women include:

Amy Dane--Global photograher, lecturer & travel agent
Dalia Davis--Jewish educator, dancer & choreographer and founder of Beit Midrash in Motion
Susan Weiss Firestone--President of Plastic Packaging, Corp., local and national Jewish community volunteer
Betsy Gaberman--Community activist/volunteer
Cynthia Gensheimer--Economist studying 19th century women's benevolence
Susan Jaye-Kaplan--Co-founder of Link to Libraries Inc.
Esther Kosofsky--Jewish educator
Lynne Krushell--Foster mom
Joy Ladin--Teacher, writer and first openly transgender employee of an orthodox Jewish institution
Catherine Portuges--Director/festival curator, film studies and professor, comparative literature at UMass Amherst
Emily Rosenfeld--Designer of jewelry and Judaica
Laraine Shore-Suslowitz--LICSW, psychotherapist, licensed Phoenix Rising Yoga therapist, and vice president of the Pioneer Valley Project
Diane Troderman--Philanthropist

This event will feature a delicious kosher dessert buffet.  Don't miss this entertaining and inspiring evening with 13 Extraordinary Women! 

The cost to attend is $20 per person, and a pledge to the 2013 Federation Annual Campaign is required if you haven't already made one (no minimum).  Attendees also have the opportunity to honor one or more of the extraordinary women with a donation of $18 per name, or all 13 women for $180.  To make a reservation online, click here.

Click here to see the invitation.

2013 Annual Campaign Video

Who are we & what do we do?  Click on the video below to find out.

What will your Jewish legacy be?

Click on the video below to watch local children discussing what it means to be Jewish.

Create a Jewish Legacy

The Jewish Federation and the Jewish Endowment Foundation of Western Massachusetts, along with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, have partnered with 13 local agencies to encourage legacy gifts that will sustain our Jewish community for future generations.  These gifts will educate our children, strengthen Jewish identity, preserve our culture and heritage, support our synagogues, protect and strengthen the state of Israel, feed the hungry, and will make a difference in the lives of future Jewish generations.  To learn more about how your legacy gift to the Federation can be designed to match your personal circumstances, please contact Scott Kaplan at (413) 737-4313. Click here for more.

Federation Connection E-Newsletter

Do you want to be kept informed of the latest Federation news and events?  The Federation has a monthly e-newsletter, The Federation Connection.  It's designed to be another way for Federation to connect to our donors and agencies, and includes news, information about upcoming events, and spotlights on individuals whose lives are enriched thanks to the generosity of donors to our Annual Campaign.  If you do not already receive it, we encourage you to sign up below.  The next edition will be conveniently delivered right to your computer!  To view previous e-newsletters, click here.

Email Newsletter icon, E-mail Newsletter icon, Email List icon, E-mail List icon Sign up for our Email Newsletter

World News Headlines
- from JTA

Join the Conversation!

During these difficult economic times, your gift to the Annual Campaign makes a real difference in the lives of millions of people in Western Massachusetts, in Israel, and in 70 countries around the world.  This year we face extraordinary challenges, and it is only through your support that we can serve as a safety net for the Jewish community.  Click here to donate or make a payment.

Annual Campaign:  Where You Make the Difference

According to Jewish tradition, the highest form of tzedakah or charity is givng to a central campaign, community fund, or kupah.  The impact of the annual campaign is priceless.  Millions of lives saved, cared for, reached out to and rebuilt; centuries-old Jewish traditions and values preserved for future generations.  Click here for more.

2013 Annual Campaign Progress

Number of pledges to date = 917

Total value of pledges = $562,411

As of May 17, 2013

"Where Does All the Money Go?"

Where Does All The Money Go?

Try A Synagogue

Try A Synagogue is a program established to encourage membership at the three synagogues in the greater Springfield area, Congregation B'nai Torah (Orthodox), Sinai Temple (Reform), and Temple Beth El (Conservative).  If you have not been a synagogue member for 3 years or more, you can join one of the participating synagogues for only $365 for the first year, and $550 in the second year.  This program is underwritten by the Federation, the participating synagogues, and a grant from the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.  For more information, click here.

Western Massachusetts Jewish Ledger

Do you want to read the latest news about our Jewish community?  Click here.

The PJ Library

 

The Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts is a proud sponsor of The PJ Library, a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation which provides young families with children ages six months to 8 years a monthly gift of a Jewish book or CD free of charge!  To enroll your child, or for more information, click here.

Get Connected!

Stay up to date on the full range of Jewish arts programs, educational workshops & classes, and other special events happening throughout Western Massachusetts! Sign up to receive an email bulletin of what's happening! more

New to Western Massachusetts?

The Shalom Welcome Wagon would like to officially welcome you to the area with a beautiful gift basket filled with goodies and helpful information about our Jewish community.  To request a visit by the Shalom Welcome Wagon, contact Debbie Peskin at dpeskin@jewishwesternmass.org.

Order a Tribute Card

Celebrate a simcha or honor a loved one's memory with a tribute card.

Click here to order.

Contact Us

Federation:  (413) 737-4313

Endowment Foundation:  (413) 732-9994

    1160 Dickinson Street
    Springfield, MA  01108