Jan 8, 2016

New Greater Miami Jewish Federation Grants Serving Needs of Local Jewish Women and Girls

In its continuing effort to inspire and empower Jewish women, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation has announced $50,000 in grants for new or expanded programs that aim to achieve social, economic, religious and political equality for Jewish women and girls in Miami.

Known collectively as the 2016 Women’s Impact Initiative, these grants were chosen from applications from a wide array of local Jewish agencies and organizations. Selections for funding were based on a review of each proposal’s scope of impact, feasibility and sustainability.

By dedicating $50,000 for this purpose, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation has become the first Federation in North America to allocate funds from its Annual Federation/UJA Campaign to support programmatic solutions for women’s issues on the local level.

The 2016 Women’s Impact Initiative emulates Federation’s successful Women’s Amutot Initiative, a program created 14 years ago to support not-for-profit organizations that aim to achieve lasting social change for women and girls in Israel.

“We felt that the same type of grant program should be offered to meet the needs of women in our own community,” said Elise Scheck Bonwitt, Founding Chair of the Women’s Impact Initiative, a past President of Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy department, and Federation Treasurer.

Bonwitt chaired a committee of 15 women who researched the responses to the grant application which were submitted by Miami-based organizations with programs serving the needs of local Jewish women. They chose to allocate funds to undertakings that offered unique approaches to existing issues.

Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center will receive funding for “Women and Opportunities of Jewish Leadership,” a multi-part experiential and facilitated workshop. The goal of this program is to inspire young women to understand their roles as Jewish leaders for themselves, their families and their community.

Chai Lifeline was granted funds to launch “Women’s Wellness Experience,” a one-day health fair to raise awareness and provide information about women’s health issues. Presentations will focus on nutrition, lifestyle changes in women over 50, advances in cancer treatments, early detection of breast and ovarian cancer, and Jewish genetic diseases.

Hadassah of Greater Miami will receive a grant to support “Know Your Worth,” a curriculum developed by Jewish Women International. This program provides financial literacy training to empower women to be better stewards and advocates for their personal and financial futures.

The Hebrew Academy (RASG) has been awarded a grant to introduce “Va’Ani Tefilati” (I Am My Prayer), a program to inspire high school girls through interactive prayer. Participating Hebrew Academy students will be engaged in developing a four-year curriculum to be used in the school.

Jewish Community Services of South Florida (JCS) has been approved for funding of two distinct social service programs. “Jewish Women in Need” received funds to provide case management services for unemployed and/or low-income Jewish women to assist them in accessing the resources and services they need to become self sufficient, independent and autonomous.

A second grant to JCS will support “Safety Smarts,” a sexual abuse prevention program for middle school girls in Orthodox day schools, as well as their parents, teachers and school administrators. Based on an existing curriculum, this program is expected to reach 180 young women in Miami Beach and North Dade neighborhoods.

The Galbut Family Miami Beach Jewish Community Center on the Simkins Family Campus will utilize its grant to introduce “Rosh Chodesh (New Month): It’s a Girl Thing.” This program, based on an existing curriculum, encourages development of self-respect, personal strengths, leadership, identity and spiritual commitment to Jewish life.

The National Council of Synagogue Youth will receive a grant to support “GIVE Ambassadors,” a leadership training and community engagement course for 30 teenage girls who have participated in trips to Israel. This program aims to establish their commitment to community service through education and mentorship.

Scheck Hillel Community School has been awarded a grant to expand its “Girls Building STEAM” initiative. This after-school club for young girls in grades 3-5 encourages interest, involvement and engagement in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.

Sharsheret will receive funding to provide culturally sensitive outreach, education and peer support to Ultra-Orthodox Jewish women. This initiative intends to counteract cultural barriers that impede breast health and breast cancer support to the Ultra-Orthodox community.

University of Miami Hillel has been awarded a grant to present “Reclaiming Our Inheritance: Women’s Leadership in Jewish Text and Media.” This year-long educational program is expected to bring together 160 young Jewish women of all affiliations in South Dade to learn about women’s leadership in the Talmud and in society today.

Elise Scheck Bonwitt cited the Women’s Impact Initiative program as “a great beginning” and hopes to continue this effort on an annual basis to continue to address the unique needs of Jewish women and girls in Greater Miami.

“This is a terrific example of innovative, out-of-the-box thinking that provides new insights and solutions to what’s going on in the Jewish community at large,” she said. “It motivates a lot of organizations think with a gender lens and promises to become a philanthropic model for other Jewish communities to emulate.”