In times of economic downturn, there may be a temptation to sit on one’s hands and ride out the storm. Thankfully, the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation and Jewish Community Endowment Fund are not so inclined.
This week these organizations announced a $7 million program, the Jewish Community Federation–Catalyst Initiative. The goals are broad and long-term, but that did not stop organizers from immediately granting $1 million in emergency aid to local Jewish social service agencies.
Endowment committee chair Warren Hellman said, “The needs are greater than I have ever experienced,” adding, “We are stepping up to give more, and we hope to inspire other endowments and foundations to do the same.”
The grants will help Jewish Vocational Service, the Hebrew Free Loan Association and Jewish Family and Children’s Services assist desperately needy individuals and families.
Beyond that, the initiative will help find ways to draw more Jews into local Jewish life. Unless the trend of young Jews disengaging from Judaism and Jewish institutions can be reversed, the Jewish community may face a bleak future.
We wish the initiative success, and hope it becomes a model for charitable ventures responding to crisis.
And a crisis it is. Not only has the recession taken a toll in terms of unemployment and decimated life savings, it has impacted charitable donations to organizations.
Just this week, a study commissioned by the Giving USA Foundation found that charitable giving in this country fell 2 percent last year, one of the largest declines since the organization began such tracking 53 years ago.
There is no indication that this figure has bottomed out. More pain may be on the way for federations and nonprofits.
Yet the S.F.-based federation is taking action now. Digging deeply into its unrestricted fund to the tune of $7 million is an act of true courage.
In recent years, the Bay Area Jewish community pointed with pride to its largesse, to multibillion-dollar endowments and the many splendid capital projects under way across the region. These were, and remain, grand accomplishments in which we take satisfaction.
Now we have a chance to boast of something even greater. As the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression presses on, thanks to proposals like the Catalyst Initiative, we can also say that our community holds fast to its most cherished values: feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and repairing the world.