3 S.F. Jewish institutions will retain state funding

Despite cutting more than $500 million from the state budget last week, Gov. Gray Davis retained funding for three S.F.-based Jewish community organizations.

The Jewish Community Center of San Francisco and the Jewish Museum San Francisco will each receive $750,000 from the state. Jewish Vocational Services, meanwhile, will get $200,000. All three organizations serve the population at-large.

These items in the $103.3 billion 2001-2002 fiscal year budget were moved through with the help of Assemblymembers Kevin Shelley (D-S.F.) and Carole Migden (D-S.F.), as well as local constituents.

Gia Daniller, director of legislative affairs and government relations for the Jewish Community Relations Council, said she is pleased that the funding was retained, "particularly in a year filled with hard decisions" for the governor.

"We appreciate everyone who saw the valuable contributions these institutions make to the Jewish community and community at large," she said. "The state's role in this effort will go a long way towards further expanding programs that benefit thousands."

The Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California also lauded the governor and the Legislature. In a statement, Barbara Yaroslavsky, the JPAC chairperson, thanked the state "for delivering a budget that is good for the people of California, especially in these times of reduced state resources."

The JCC funding will assist in the upcoming $70 million building project at its 3200 California Street site. The center -- which provides a diverse array of recreational, educational and cultural programs to Jews and non-Jews of all economic backgrounds and ages -- plans to open its new facility in 2003.

Although the capital campaign has pledges of more than $66 million, Nate Levine, the JCC's executive director, said, "this is another step towards reaching our goal."

Levine added he is "delighted" that the governor also upheld the funding for the Jewish Museum San Francisco and JVS.

"It brings all three of us closer to being able to serve the community," he said.

Funding for the museum will be applied toward the construction of the $100 million, 90,000-square-foot facility in Yerba Buena Gardens, tentatively set to open in 2003. It will also help "to ensure our ongoing efforts to engage a larger community in the values and ideas of Jewish art and culture," according to the museum's director, Connie Wolf.

She added that the museum, which is currently in the process of a merging with the Judah L. Magnes Museum in Berkeley, is a resource for the entire community, "providing ongoing opportunities through its exhibits, educational programs and Web site."

JVS, which provides technological training as well as career counseling and programs for emigres, plans to put the state funding toward securing a permanent home and setting up a technical training center in downtown San Francisco.

Abby Snay, JVS executive director, is "absolutely thrilled" with the governor's decision.

"Unemployment rates are rising," she said. "The economy seems to be skidding into a recession and we are beginning to get calls every single day from people who are out of work."

The funding, according to Snay, will give JVS the capacity to equip individuals of all backgrounds, including immigrants, refugees, adults in career transitions and those with disabilities, "with the skills that they need to sustain employment in this technological world."