$97,000 DISTRIBUTED IN SECOND ROUND

In the second round of Yad B'Yad distributions, Federation sent $97,000 to the following Jewish community organizations to support emergency financial assistance to individuals and families, health and wellness programs, social services and safety measures:

• Jewish Family Service of St. Paul: $5,000 
• Minnesota Hillel: $22,000
• Minnesota JCC: $35,000 
• Sholom: $35,000 

Through the generosity of our community, we've allocated $402,000 for COVID relief to date. We thank you!

$305,000 DISTRIBUTED IN FIRST ROUND OF ALLOCATIONS

On Feb. 1, 2021, Federation approved the recommendations of the Yad B’Yad Campaign distribution committee to disburse $305,000 in the first round of COVID relief funding. Allocations to the following Jewish community organizations will support emergency financial assistance to individuals and families, health and wellness programs, social services and safety measures:  

• Jewish Family Service of St. Paul: $75,000
• Lubavitch Cheder: $15,000
• Minnesota JCC: $100,000
• Sholom: $100,000
• Talmud Torah of St. Paul: $15,000

Federation launched the Yad B’Yad campaign in mid-November 2020, securing over $400,000 in commitments in eight weeks. This is in addition to $70,000 that Federation distributed to partner organizations and summer camps in the early months of the pandemic. One hundred percent of the funds raised goes to local Jewish organizations to support community members impacted by COVID-19.

“We are grateful for our community members who responded so quickly and generously to help our neighbors in need,” said Jimmy Levine, Yad B’Yad campaign chair. “With your support, Federation was able to secure a $100,000 matching gift from Jewish Federations of North America. We also thank the Harry Kay Foundation for their generous gift of $100,000 to support needs in St. Paul.”

All the recipient organizations sent thank you messages to the community. Here are three of the messages we received:

“Thank you very much. This support means more than you know and will help the JCC continue to stay strong and return to more normal operations in the coming year.” – Michael Waldman, Minnesota JCC CEO

“This is unbelievable! Thank you so much for this great news. It will truly lift the spirits of our team. Wow!  What a perfect way to end the day with this generous gift from our St. Paul Federation and community. Sholom truly feels the love! – Barbara Klick, Sholom CEO

“This support will allow us to extend our capacity to provide additional services in financial assistance, employment support, Kosher Meals on Wheels, and counseling. We thank Federation for its leadership during this critical time.” – Ruth Hampton Olkon, Jewish Family Service of St. Paul CEO

Federation plans to disburse a second round of funding by the end of February 2021.

Our community needs your help!
“While we are thrilled to send significant funding to our partner agencies, we are just getting started,” said Levine. “Federation identified $1.5 million in critical needs from local Jewish organizations. We have much more to do to help our Jewish institutions respond, recover and thrive into the future.”

Growing needs due to COVID-19

The Jewish institutions that faithfully serve our community face unprecedented challenges

100% of the funds raised will be dispersed to local Jewish organizations to support programs that provide emergency financial aid, food assistance, trauma support, mental and physical health and safety, education and professional training services, as well as safety measures for frontline workers, and resources as a result of being laid off or furloughed.

A Message from Jimmy Levine, Yad B'Yad Campaign Chair

"As a doctor, I see firsthand the devastating effects of COVID-19  in Minnesota. As a member of the Jewish community, I see impacts of this pandemic across our institutions. In our lifetime, there has been no greater challenge to the fabric of our community. The way in which we respond now will define us for years to come. 

 

We are stronger together. This is the moment to do what our community does best – come together to take care of each other."

Our friends and neighbors are hurting:

• Seniors who can't safely shop or go out need food 
• People who have lost their jobs need help to pay housing, food and medical bills
• Requests for mental health services are skyrocketing as illness, isolation and fear increase
• The cost of PPE, testing and other precautions to protect essential workers is enormous 

Yad B'Yad is a partnership between St. Paul Jewish Federation and these community organizations:

Downloadable Files

• Yad B'Yad FAQ

Jewish Community Chart of Needs

Click to expand