We at the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts and its Endowment Foundation hope you and your family are safe and well. These are stressful times for all of us as we face a new challenge and much uncertainty.
One thing we can be sure of, we are stronger when we face things together, and this pandemic is no exception. While we practice social distancing, we can still join together to support and care for each other.
We don’t yet know what the impact will be on the Pioneer Valley Jewish Community. At the Federation, we are calling community members, just to check on you. To see how you are doing. To see if there is anything you need.
We are also looking into the needs of our communal organizations. They too need help and support. Local organizations have, in the interest of public safety, closed their doors to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. They have cancelled programs on which they relied for income while looking for creative ways to keep the community engaged.
How can you help? We know how strongly you care about the people and institutions in Western Massachusetts, and we know of your generosity firsthand. We’ve experienced it through your generous support over the years. If you are able to volunteer, you can sign up here.
We are asking you to support the Pioneer Valley Jewish Community by making a gift to the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts’ “Healthy Community Fund”. Monies collected from this effort will primarily used in the Pioneer Valley to keep our friends, neighbors and beloved institutions connected, safe and viable until this crisis is behind us. We will also be evaluating needs in Jewish communities across the globe.
Our Executive Committee will be reviewing and managing distributions to local Jewish organizations and individuals to meet emergency needs as they arise. We are working to collaberate with a third party organization to vet individual community member needs.
You can make a huge difference by taking this small step by making your contribution at https://jewishwesternmass.org/donate/ and designating the Healthy Community Appeal. If you would like to use your Jewish Endowment Foundation donor advised fund to make a contribution, you can make your recommendation at https://www.emailmeform.com/builder/emf/jefwma/DAF.
Please help!
If you or someone you know needs assistance, please let us know by calling the Federation office at 413-737-4313, ext. 237 or by signing up here. Our staff is working from home – but we are all accessible by phone or email.
Our email addresses and extensions are:
Stew Bromberg, CEO, sbromberg@jewishwesternmass.org, est. 239
Steve Balicki, CFO, sbalicki@jewishwesternmass.org, ext. 259
Michelle Lancto, COO, mlancto@jewishwesternmass.org, ext.240
Michelle Everett, Special Projects and Development Coordinator, meverett@jewishwesternmass.org, ext. 237
Nora Gorenstein, Development Officer, ngorenstein@jewishwesternmass.org, ext. 221
Jodi Falk, Rachel’s Table Director, jfalk@jewishwesternmass.org, ext. 296
Sarah Maniaci, Rachel’s Table Associate Director, smaniaci@jewishwesternmass.org, ext. 251
Claudia Mejia-Haffner, PJ Library, cmejia-haffner@jewishwesternmass.org, ext. 248
Martha Lockett, Development Associate, mlockett@jewishwesternmass.org, ext. 257
Joshua Vogel, Marketing, Communications and CRC Director, jvogel@jewishwesternmass.org, ext. 241
Suzanne Allen, Staff Accountant, sallen@jewishwesternmass.org, ext. 246
Zoe Maniaci, Rachel’s Table Teen Board Director, zmaniaci@jewishwesternmass.org, ext. 242
Razz Cacho, Rachel’s Table Gleaning Coordinator, rcacho@jewishwesternmass.org, ext. 243
Please keep safe and healthy until we can be together again.
President
Endowment Chair
CEO