JDC Accepting Donations for Haiti Earthquake Victims

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) is accepting donations to aid relief efforts for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.  Hundreds of thousands are reported to have died in the disaster which struck the island nation on January 12.  Donations can be made online or by check mailed to:  P.O. Box 530, 132 East 43rd Street, New York, NY  10017  Attn:  Haiti Crisis.  Thank you for your support. Click here to make your donation online.

Nadav Tamir to Speak on Feb.10

Please join us to hear Nadav Tamir, Consul General of Israel to New England, who will speak on Wednesday, February 10 at 8:15 a.m.  This program, sponsored by the Anna P. Housen Israel Desk of the Jewish Federation, will be held at the Hatikvah Holocaust Education Center.  He will brief our community about "Current Challenges and Opportunities in Israel and the Middle East."  This event is free and open to the community.  To R.S.V.P. or for more information, contact Pearl-Anne Margalit at (413) 737-4313 x157 or email pmargalit@jewishwesternmass.org.

Federation Launches New E-Newsletter

The Federation has recently launched a new 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.

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Pioneer Valley Jewish Film Festival

March 11 - 24

The Pioneer Valley Jewish Film Festival is back with 14 films in 7 towns.  Delve into the Jewish experience with daring defiers, celebratory survivors, and Israeli sumo wrestlers.  Bring your friends to an old favorite about baseball legend Hank Greenberg, or a new documentary about beloved radio and TV star Gertrude Berg.  Catch this year's Israeli entry for the Academy Awards ("Ajami") and take an inspiring road trip with an artist determined to keep history alive.  Sign up for updates at www.valleyjewishfilm.org.

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Community Mission to Israel ~ April 19-29, 2010 

Join friends and family from around the Pioneer Valley for a trip to Israel like you have never experienced.  The focus of this trip is medical & military technology and wineries, and it offers the finest travel accommodations in a unique format.  Chaired by Barbara and Jim Sadowsky, this is one trip you do not want to miss.  For more details, contact Meredith Dragon at (413) 737-4313 x139 or email mdragon@jewishwesternmass.org. Click here for more.

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 Pearl-Anne Margalit or Scott Kaplan at (413) 737-4313. Click here for more.
The Jewish Federations of North America support The Jewish Agency's Aliyah and Absorption Department, which is working to help members of Ethiopia’s Falas Mura community immigrate to Israel. JAFI recently greeted the first flight of Falas Mura since August, 2008 and in the next year will help 2,600 immigrate. The immigrants will live in Jewish Agency absorption centers, where they will receive services to help them integrate into Israeli society. For details click here.

RAMAT HASHARON, Israel - Israel is on schedule to inaugurate a revolutionary electric car grid with dozens of recharge stations and thousands of cars on the road by next year, the project's developers said Sunday. The California-based company Better Place hopes Israel's model will lead a shift toward electric transportation worldwide.

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During these difficult economic times, your gift to the 2010 Federation Annual Campaign makes a real difference in the lives of millions of people in Western Massachusetts, in Israel, and in 60 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.

Stories of Love, Hope & Optimism

To see the 2010 Annual Campaign video, click here.

2010 Annual Campaign Progress

Number of pledges to date = 864

Total value of pledges = $541,938

As of February 8, 2010

"Where Does All the Money Go?"

Where Does All The Money Go?

Thanks to Our Web Sponsor!

Health New England is a generous sponsor of our Web site.  Please visit their Web site, www.hne.com.

For more information about our corporate sponsorship program, please contact the Federation at (413) 737-4313. 

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.

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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