JCC Chicago and Halom JCC, Kyiv teens make a dream- Halom- come true
Initiated and supervised by JCC Global and made possible thanks to a generous grant from Robin and David Nankin, teens from Halom JCC in Kyiv and JCC Chicago partnered for the Jewish Lens program.
During the winter months, the teens explored shared Jewish narratives through photography, met in-person with local peers, and participated in joint virtual sessions. The program was created by renowned photographer, Zion Ozeri. The photographs that the teens created reflect their Jewish Peoplehood lens: historical memory, values, culture, Hebrew, connections to Israel, and Jewish life. For example: A JCC Chicago student captured images of a small "seder" they hosted for a migrant fair at his school while teens from Kyiv chose objects and experiences that represent their Jewish identity.
The program culminated in Chicago with an exhibition that opened on Thursday, May 2nd at the Bernard Weinger JCC. An exhibition in Kyiv will follow.
Special thanks go to Addie Goodman, President and CEO, Ilene Uhlmann, Director of Community Engagement and the capable JCC Chicago staff team as well as to Savva Shapiro, Executive Director, Veronika Reznitskaya, Program Director and the dedicated staff of Halom JCC, Kyiv.
Help Ukraine with JOINTECH
Please help our partners at JDC and circulate this important information among your leaders and members:
JOINTECH talent is a global online employment platform that leverages technology to tackle poverty and displacement through innovation. It connects professional Ukrainian Jewish community members with remote employment opportunities – helping businesses find the talent it needs to thrive.
More information in the following links:
1. Landing Page - learn about the project concept.
2. JOINTECH "store" on Fiverr - see the talents and understand the ordering process.
JCC Global will gladly connect you with the organizers of the program by writing to info@jccglobal.org
Embracing Jewish Peoplehood: A daylong seminar with IACC
Liat Blecher and Varda Levi invited JCC Global to lead a day long Jewish Peoplehood seminar for close to 20 directors of large networks of Community Centers from all over Israel, under the auspices of IACC- the Israel Association of Community Centers.
The program took place on May 21st and incorporated Jewish Peoplehood concepts and practice, workshops and lectures and a tour of the ANU Museum of the Jewish People. Michal Zur, the Director of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest, NJ Israel Office described the overwhelming support of the MetroWest Federation that is granted to the communities of Ofakim-Merhavim as well as Arad, Rishon Le’Zion and Hurfiesh (a Druze village in the North of Isael), since October 7th. She also shared her own experience as an evacuee from Kibbutz Erez and provided great insights and tips for a successful future partnership. JCC Global Honorary Chair, Ishie Gitlin, from Mexico joined the day and added his heartwarming remarks. This was also an opportunity to welcome Ruth Kabessa Abramzon, as the new Director of Cross-Sector Collaboration at IACC. Smadar Dromy, Liat Arie and Ilan Hachmo, who are part of this learning group, shared their own experiences as JCC Global Amitim-Fellows and the enormous value gained by global partnerships as well as some of the challenges and frustrations.
More than anything, listening to the accounts of these directors, in between the sessions, about their dedicated work, providing vital services to heal and strengthen Israeli society, brought a lot of hope into our hearts during these difficult times.
Registration is now Open for the September 16-18, 2024, JCCA JSummit in Chicago
JSummit is the premier bi-annual conference for North American JCC lay leaders and CEOs/executive directors. It brings together hundreds of devoted individuals representing more than 170 JCCs to to learn, network, share, and acquire tools and ideas to guide their JCC communities to new heights.
As in past years, JCC Global will lead a select senior leadership delegation from around the world to join this important gathering. It is an opportunity to share, reflect and learn with peers from all over North America at a tailored JCC Global track.
Out of North America delegates can register via JCC Global.
Please see more information, here:
JCC Global featured at Ha’aretz “Power of Giving Magazine.”Last call to register to "Aging with Grace" Hub
Reflecting on post October 7th reality and highlighting the forces of good, JCC Global was featured in a recent magazine. Click to read the Meaningful Global Connections article.
To read the entire magazine click here.
Shavuot: The holiday that bridges the Particular Covenant with Universal Values
This year, JCC Global Kol Isha women leaders at JCC Krakow, Poland; Migvanim Ramat Hasharon, Israel and the Oshman Family JCC, Palo Alto, CA, USA, focused their study on the Book of Ruth. They delved into the themes of giving, kindness, and selflessness from their different perspectives. They gave special attention to the “strangers” in their communities and countries. The joint online program will culminate right before the holiday of Shavuot with the moving presentations of local social justice projects that each group of women has initiated and implemented.
For Jewish Peoplehood lovers, the importance of Peoplehood is demonstrated in this famous quote from the Book of Ruth:
"For wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God”.
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