Julie Diamond leads community foundation as it helps ensure Jewish future As it approaches its 30th birthday, the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation has far exceeded the dreams of its “parents.” At age 10, the foundation had already far surpassed the founders’ goals. When Julie Diamond was hired as director of development in 2007, OJCF had…
PHOTO: Mentor Arlene Cogen, left, and Sarah Howard connect at a gathering of PDX Pathways, a networking and mentoring group for young professionals. Sarah says, “Arlene’s impact on me as a mentor was huge.” Who says you can’t buy happiness? Drawing on the neuroscience of giving and her own experiences in philanthropy, Arlene Cogen…
PHOTO: OJCF’s Giving Council in 2017 What is a giving circle? Essentially, a giving circle is a group of people who come together to pool their charitable dollars and decide together where to donate their money. Pooling contributions enables individuals who might not be able to make a significant contribution on their own to…
PHOTO: Women’s Giving Circle members, from left: Wendy Kahn, Felicia Rosenthal, Lora Meyer, Faye Samuels, Helene Cogen, Judy Freeman, Joyce Mendelsohn and (not pictured) Mia Birk, Kathy Davis Weiner, Sharon Ungerleider. Photo by Deborah Moon “Everyone brings their own perspectives. We don’t all come from the same page, but through meaningful discussion, we land…
By Saul Korin The Portland Jewish Academy Family Giving Circle expanded in 2017-18 and had more funds to disperse for this school year thanks to a generous match. At its June meeting, the PJA Family Giving Circle reviewed requests and made funding decisions. Chaired for the second year by Rob La Forte and Carol…
PHOTO: Campers having the time of their lives at BB Camp this summer. In B’nai B’rith Camp’s 98th summer, more overnight campers than ever before enjoyed the magic of BB Camp on the beautiful Oregon Coast. Camp saw a 13% increase over 2017’s previous record year with 610 overnight campers. BB Day Camp Lincoln…
PHOTO: A student studies at Portland State University On Aug. 29 Portland State University announced a $1 million grant through the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer Family Fund of the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation, on behalf of Arlene Schnitzer and Jordan D. Schnitzer. This philanthropic investment will create a new scholarship program within the Judaic…
JFCS needs help to shore up safety net Jewish Family & Child Service recently launched a campaign to raise $100,000 over the next six months to benefit vulnerable people in metropolitan Portland’s Jewish community and beyond. JFCS will distribute the funds as follows: $35,000 to help individuals and families with rent assistance; $29,000 to help…
PHOTO: Above, the first Graduation Shabbat of the University of Oregon Hillel supported by a fund created by Millard and Wendy Lesch, at left. A new endowment fund at the University of Oregon Hillel will support two special Shabbat celebrations each year. “We are so very grateful to Millard and Wendy Lesch for establishing…
Wine on the Vine Director Tatiana Hasson plants a grape vine at an Israeli vineyard. The grassroots program connects people all over the world with the flourishing world of Israeli wine. For $18 a grapevine is planted in a top Israeli winery of the donor’s choice. Wine on the Vine (wineonthevine.org) is the flagship program…
