Development

Welcome to JRF Development

Barry Nove — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 12:57:05 -0500

For more than fifty years, the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation (JRF) has been a strong voice for progressive Judaism and has played an important role in meeting the needs of the Reconstructionist movement. JRF is a leader in participatory Judaism and has helped the movement progress from its modest beginnings of four affiliated congregations in 1955 to more than 100 congregations today, representing over 16,000 member households.

The Jewish Reconstructionist Federation serves its affiliates by working with them to build Jewish communities that are democratic, egalitarian, spiritually and intellectually vibrant,and committed to Jewish learning, ethics, and social justice. JRF contributes to the Jewish people by promoting innovation rooted in Jewish tradition and supporting meaningful Jewish life in community. The Jewish Reconstructionist Federation seeks to raise a total of $1 million annually. JRF is also seeking to establish an endowment to ensure the future of JRF’s programs and activities. Such resources would allow JRF to expand the services it provides its synagogues,expand its ongoing publishing program, and continue to strengthen the Reconstructionist movement. Camp JRF:The Aaron and Marjorie Ziegelman Campus is the fulfillment of a longtime dream. According to a Brandeis University study, Jewish camp is the number one transformative activity for Jewish youth. JRF is in the midst of a $7 million Capital Campaign, which has initially allowed the organization to purchase the grounds of the 130-acre camp in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. What can you do for JRF? Help JRF...

through your annual support,
joining a Giving Circle
joining one of JRF’s major gift societies
supporting specific JRF projects such as
- sponsoring a JRF publication
- donating JRF books to a synagogue
- giving to Camp JRF: The Aaron and Marjorie Ziegelman Campus,

For further information contact: Maryanne Thompson at mthompson@jrf.org.

JRF Legacy Project

Victoria Cangelosi — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:02:34 -0400

As the JRF and the RRC continue to restructure our movement for a better future, JRF has created a timeless Legacy Tribute Book in honor of our congregations. This keepsake memento will walk our members through the years of Reconstructionist history and highlight each of our communities in story and pictures. We are looking for your help to make this once-in-a-lifetime tribute book a reality. Would you consider making a gift to the JRF to support our lasting legacy?

For donors who support our movement with a gift at the Kaplan Legacy Sponsorship $5,000 level, we will send you a Legacy Tribute Book, the accompanying Legacy DVD, and commemorative leather bound editions of Judaism as a Civilization and Reconstructing Judaism.

For donors who support our movement with a gift at the Eisenstein Legacy Sponsorship $1,800 level, we will send you a Legacy Tribute Book, the accompanying Legacy DVD, and one commemorative leather bound edition of either Judaism as a Civilization or Reconstructing Judaism - your choice.

For donors who support our movement with a gift at the Patron Sponsorship $720 level, we will send you a Legacy Tribute Book and the accompanying Legacy DVD.

For donors who support our movement with a gift at the Friend Sponsorship $360 level, we will send you a Legacy Tribute Book.

For donors who support our movement with a gift at the $118 level, we will send you a complimentary Legacy DVD.

Please consider contributing to this special project and receiving these special, limited edition items you will always treasure for your personal library. These also make wonderful, unique gifts for a friend or loved one.

Make your gift online.

2011 Midwest Celebration at Ravinia

Victoria Cangelosi — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:18:29 -0400

JRF invites our Midwestern Region's congregants to join us for our annual celebration! Register today
The event will be Thursday June 23rd at Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Illinois and will include dinner and a concert with k.d.lang. (www.ravinia.org)

This year’s theme will be Ohel: Together Under One Tent. We want to reinforce the message that Reconstructionism remains an open tent for all who value progressive Judaism. As part of the event, we will honor individuals from each participating congregation who have contributed to creating a "Big Tent" for Judaism or securing the ohel/tent that is your congregation. This might mean helping the congregation through an important transition, securing it financially, or creating an ohel that is both open and inviting. The program will include a special tribute to the honorees of each congregation.

2011 Honorees:

Alan Rubin and Neal Rubin, Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, Evanston, IL

Fred Andes, Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Synagogue, Nothrbrook, IL

Leah Kamionkowski, Kol Halev, Cleveland, OH

6:00pm- Dinner and program under the tent

8:00pm- k.d. lang and the Siss Boom Bang, with special guest The Belle Brigade, in the pavillion

Event Chairs: Carole Caplan and Reese Gratch- JRC; Deborah Newberger- Shir Hadash

Host Committee (in formation)

Freddi Greenberg and Dan Pinkert — Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation
Rabbi Brant Rosen — Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation
Cantor Howard Friedland — Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation
Mary Jo Barrett and Dennis O’Keefe — Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation
Halle Barnett — Kol HaLev
David Conn —Kol HaLev
Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow — Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Synagogue

Register today

Last year's Western Region Reconstructionist “Trailblazers”

Victoria Cangelosi — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 11:37:03 -0400

The Western Region of JRF celebrated their Morei Derekh Reconstructionist Trailblazers. These outstanding individuals were chosen by their congregations for the Western region’s distinguished leadership award. Whether through building community, tikkun olam (social action) or hesed (acts of service), their volunteerism stands as a model for inspirational values in both the Jewish world and broader secular society.

The Honorees:
Beth Evergreen – Rich Levine
Bnai Havurah – Sandy Goldman
Chico Havurah – Silona Reyman
Dor Hadash – Holly Gail Baumann
Havurah Shalom – Emily Simon
Havurat Olam – Stan Shroeder
Kadima – Wendy Graff
The Keddem Community– Elaine Moise
Kehillat Israel – Pam Solomon
Malibu Jewish Center and Synagogue – Ruth Belonsky
Ner Shalom – Mary Ann Malinak
Or Zarua – Emily Galpern
Or Shalom - Stephen Gerard
P’nai Tikvah, Valley Outreach – Barbara Holland
Sacramento Havurah – Helyne Meshar
Temple Beth Israel – Tom & Patti Barkin
Temple Beth Sholem – Phil Decker
University Synagogue - Anita Mishook
The Whittier Havurah – Lou Wiener