Now that the hustle and bustle of summer is coming to an end, we want to bring PACE back into the spotlight and share how you can contribute to this extremely important campaign.

Thanks to our amazing donors, and in partnership with the Beckerman Family Foundation, the PACE Challenge has evolved from a $2 million initiative into a remarkable $5 million challenge. With an impressive $4,100,333 already raised, the campaign is well on its way to achieving its goals. Thank you to the Beckerman Family for their $2 million match which made this possible!

What is it?

PACE stands for Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment, and it operates as a permanent endowment. This type of fund is invested with the Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven, and the principal remains untouched. Annually, the interest generated is distributed to the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven’s Annual Campaign, in perpetuity, in the donor’s name. This is how we provide for our local Jewish agencies, schools, camps, education, those in need, the frail elderly, and much more.

Why should you join the PACE Challenge?

1. To Ensure Our Community’s Lasting Strength

PACE funds have grown to become a significant portion of the Federation’s Annual Campaign, and grows steadily every year. Last year alone, PACE disbursements contributed nearly 22% of all funds raised. This staggering number demonstrates our donors’ commitments to our community by safeguarding our shared values and traditions.

2. It’s a Win-Win!

PACE contributions not only benefit the community but it also benefits you too. You gain recognition as a PACE donor, receive potential tax benefits, and leave a lasting supportive impact to your Jewish values, ensuring a strong foundation for the future of your community.

How can you contribute to PACE? Anyone can start an endowment fund with a minimum amount of $10,000. It can be funded numerous ways: periodic donations, a single gift, cash, stock, and planned gifts such as bequests in your will or designations from an IRA or life insurance.

Since its establishment in 2020, the Jewish Foundation’s Jewish Elderly Grants Committee, Chaired by Craig Sklar, has made a significant impact awarding $620,000 to various Jewish organizations and agencies for innovative projects and programs that enhance the quality of life for the Jewish Elderly in the New Haven community.

In 2023, the initiative continued its positive impact, by awarding $176,000 to three deserving agencies: Jewish Family Service of Greater New Haven, The Towers at Tower Lane, and Chabad of the Shoreline, all previous grant recipients. The funds enable the agencies to develop new and innovative programs that address needs of the Elderly in the Greater New Haven Jewish Community.

The population of Connecticut is aging; between 2013 and 2025, the share of Connecticut residents 60 years and over will grow by 44 percent.* As the elderly population grows, the need for resources and support for older adults becomes even more significant. The Jewish Foundation’s Grants for the Jewish Elderly is dedicated to serving and funding this need, thanks to the generous contributions from the former Jewish Home Building Fund Corporation and several funds of the Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven, including the Isaac & Mary Liveten Fund, Marion Litsky Fund, Irvin Shiner 75th Birthday Fund, Benjamin & Freda Cohen Memorial Fund, Eva Kahn Fund, Harry Braffman Fund, and the Leo Links Fund.

“We are thrilled to continue to support the Jewish Elderly in Greater New Haven through theese grants. The $176,000 awarded to Jewish Family Service, The Towers at Tower Lane, and Chabad of the Shoreline reflects our dedication to addressing diverse needs as the aging population grows,” said Craig Sklar, Chair of the Jewish Foundation’s Jewish Elderly Grants Committee. “We are honored to collaborate with our partners, promoting innovative programs for food support, socialization, community outreach, and social work services, ensuring joyful, dignified, and independent golden years.”

Jewish Family Service of Greater New Haven was among the recipients of the grants, supporting their Care Navigators Program. This program welcomes aging adults from all walks of life, regardless of socioeconomic status, faith, culture, or race.

The Care Navigators program provides assessments, referrals, and support to ensure elderly individuals can safely stay in their homes or, where appropriate, help them find appropriate new housing.

The Towers at Tower Lane is utilizing its grant to create a new Community Garden on its campus. This transformative project replaces a decaying and unusable basketball court with an accessible garden space. The community garden will feature a fruit and vegetable garden, equipped with wheelchair-accessible beds for seniors to plant while seated; an herb garden; a chicken coop for fresh eggs; reflection area; shaded gathering area; bocce court; and a dog run.

“Thank you to the Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven for providing this grant for the 2nd year in a row. These funds allow us to embark on an exciting project at The Towers at Tower Lane, which is scheduled to start in September,” said Jennifer Bayer, Associate Vice President, Strategic Initiatives. “The Towers is dedicated to creating a thriving and inclusive community, where our seniors can enjoy nature, cultivate their interests, and connect with people of all ages. We are deeply grateful for being awarded these funds and look forward to seeing the Community Garden flourish in the months ahead.”

Chabad of the Shoreline received a grant for its Friendly Visitors program, pairing volunteers for weekly visits with Jewish elderly living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The program aims to bring joy and stimulation to seniors, reducing isolation and increasing socialization. Additionally, this program organizes Intergenerational Jewish projects that provide both the elderly and volunteers with uplifting and enriching experiences.

“We are thrilled to continue to support the Jewish Elderly in Greater New Haven through these grants. The $176,000 awarded to Jewish Family Service, The Towers at Tower Lane, and Chabad of the Shoreline reflects our dedication to addressing diverse needs as the aging population grows,” said Craig Sklar, Chair of the Jewish Foundation’s Jewish Elderly Grants Committee. “We are honored to collaborate with our partners, promoting innovative programs for food support, socialization, community outreach, and social work services, ensuring joyful, dignified, and independent golden years.”

TZEDAKAH CONNECTS TEEN TO THE COMMUNITY

“On Saturday, November 27, 2021, our daughter, Marley Alexandra Bloom, became a bat mitzvah at Beth El Temple in West Hartford. Marley was surrounded by her friends and family and led the congregation in the week’s Torah portion. To say we are proud of her is an understatement. Another reason to be proud of her is how she is using some of the money she received from friends and family to open a fund at the Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven. Marley is excited to continue her connection to the Jewish community by being able to give to organizations that align with her principles.”

—Michael Bloom, Build a Tzedakah Fund donor.

About ‘Build A Tzedakah’

‘Build A Tzedakah’, a Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven initiative, encourages philanthropy at a young age. B’nei Mitzvah families make a $600 contribution (minimum amount) which received a $400 match from the Jewish Foundation, thus establishing a $1000 charitable fund, at the Jewish Foundation, for the young adult. Every December, the young adult may distribute funds to chosen charities or causes that are meaningful to them. The goal is to foster a lifelong commitment to giving back and creating a positive impact on the community.

Contact the Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven for more information today at: [email protected] or www.newhavenjewishfoundation.org/youth.

Jewish Immersive Experiences

B’nai B’rith Youth Organization

BBYO (B’nai B’rith Youth Organization) is a teen-led, staff-empowered youth leadership movement that allows Jewish teens to form meaningful peer connections resulting in lifelong Jewish engagement. BBYO Connecticut ValleyRegion offers a robust menu of experiences for teens to form meaningful friendships, hone their leadership skills, and participate in Jewish rituals in highly social environments. The most well attended and widely implemented gathering moments are weekend retreats, known in BBYO as regional conventions. These conventions typically take place at hotels during the weekend, engaging hundreds of Jewish teens. What makes regional conventions special is that teens take the lead on planning and implementation, working months in advance to create Shabbat experiences, design engaging and innovative programming, and build other unique experiences including sports tournaments and spirit competitions. Specific speakers to be contracted in the coming year include Holocaust survivors, Israeli art and cultural guides, entrepreneurs, and experts on antisemitism and inclusion.

$3,600

Tree Work

Jewish Cemetery Organization

The Jewish Cemetery Association has an immediate need for funding to clear out overgrowth and tree limbs. This will help to mitigate falling, shifting, and sinking headstones and footstones, thus restoring honor and dignity to the cemeteries.

$2,700