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Pittsburgh and Israel: An Historic Bond

The Jewish community of Pittsburgh has a historic obligation to the people of Israel. Since its rebirth as the Jewish state in 1948, Israel has been the fulfillment of the dreams of the Jewish people serving as a refuge for the persecuted, oppressed and those facing economic hardship.

Support for Israel is a central component of the Federation's mission. Israel is at the core of Jewish identity and serves as a unifying force within the Jewish community of Pittsburgh.

Through the Annual Community Campaign and the Israel Emergency Appeal vital health and human services are provided to the Israeli people. The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh delivers those services through its overseas partners, the Jewish Agency for Israel and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.

Beyond developing ongoing financial resources to meet the critical needs of the Israeli people, the Federation supports advocacy efforts on behalf of the Israeli people and Israeli institutions that promote pluralism and democracy. Federation also provides a direct linkage between the people of Pittsburgh and Israel at many different levels. These include Partnership 2000; missions; i-connect; and the Shlichim programs.

A report from Otzma XXV

This year, the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh sent two Pittsburghers, Nikki Avershal and Jeff Hast, on Otzma XXV. OTZMA is a 10-month program that offers Jewish adults ages 20-26 (college graduates preferred) an opportunity to live and volunteer in Israel in a variety of settings.

During Part 1 of Otzma,  the two graduates of the University of Pittsburgh have been volunteering at Beit Canada, a mercaz klitah (absorption center) in Ashkelon for the past three months.  Nikki and Jeff have definitely encountered some of the typical experiences of Israel and Otzma.

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Jewish Partnership Online: Love of the Land of Israel

Jewish Partnership Online, the Partnership 2000 eZine hosted by Professor Gil Troy, highlights Jewish values in the Partnership setting. This episode showcases how the Karmiel-Misgav - Pittsburgh Partnership combines values such as conservation and women's health with the value of the Love of the Land of Israel as it builds a network of bridges between the communities.

Watch the Video

Overseas Program Funding

Grant Applications

The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh is seeking applications for overseas program funding. Our Overseas Funding Committee is interested in funding projects and programs that have impact in at least one of the following areas:  Food and Human Security Needs, At Risk Youth, Green Economic Development, Coexistence, Ethiopian Community, Jewish Education, and Special Needs populations primarily in Israel and the Former Soviet Union.  Special consideration will be given to applications which work to enhance our Partnership 2Gether region (Karmiel/Misgav).

This year we will be distributing $455,000.  Most grants are given in a range of $10,000 to $25,000.   Much of our funding goes to continued support of programs and projects funded in previous years, so in any given year we are likely to fund three to five new projects.  Our funding is limited to organizations registered as United States 501(c)3 non-profits, or with legal conduits holding that status.

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Passport to Israel

An $800 gift to help send your child to Israel. For details, contact Amy Karp at the Agency for Jewish Learning
akarp@ajlpittsburgh.org or 412.521.1101 x3204.

Pittsburgh's Passport to Israel program is funded by the Sholom Comay Family Endowment Fund, a supporting program of the Jewish Federation Foundation's Fund for a Jewish Future.

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Shlichim Programs

Shlichim, which is Hebrew for emissary, are Israel community representatives that serve in Jewish communities throughout the world and serve as a cultural and educational link between the people in local communities and the people of Israel. Read more about shlichim programs.

About Israel

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