Charleston Jewish Federation

Creating a Community of Shared Responsibility: Vulnerable Populations As Jews, we are responsible for taking care of our entire community, including its most vulnerable members. From caring for local Jewish community needs through the Kosher Food Pantry to caring for Jewish refugees in Ukraine, we help ensure that no one is left behind. This year, our Israel and Overseas Committee has made generous allocations to the JDC and the Jewish Agency for Israel.

Engaging the Next GenerationYoung Jewish Charleston (YJC) Young Jewish Charleston provides a space for adults in their 20s and 30s to connect socially and professionally, thus cultivating a close sense of fellowship and enhancing the inherently familial nature of the Charleston Jewish community. Whether you are an established Charlestonian or have just moved to town, YJC embraces all young Jewish adults. Young Jewish Charleston accepts and appreciates the involvement of interfaith and intercultural couples, maintaining a firm ideology of inclusion amongst Charleston's Jewish population. Events and activities hosted in the past have included happy hours, Shabbat dinners, beach days, tikkun olam (repair the World) events, and learning sessions with our local rabbis. Every gathering of YJC is designed for young adults to form valuable friendships and feel at home around their peers. PJ Library The PJ Library is a unique program that encourages Jewish families with young children to explore Jewish literature. Families do not have to be affiliated or any specific branch of Judaism. All families, so long as they choose to raise their children with some Jewish education, are eligible. Each month, PJ Library sends an age-appropriate Jewish content book or gift to enrolled children from birth to age nine. After they turn nine, they can enroll in PJ Our Way, the next chapter in the PJ experience. Created by The Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF), PJ Library is funded by the Charleston Jewish Federation, local philanthropists, and HGF. Our local PJ chapter also provides opportunities for families to explore their Jewishness through various experiences - virtual and in person, individual and group. Shalom Baby Shalom Baby is designed to help Charleston families (affiliated, non- affiliated, and interfaith) celebrate the arrival of their Jewish newborns and welcome them to the Jewish Community through gift baskets, playgroups, social events, holiday celebrations, and resource guides. These events help parents connect with others, find local resources, and navigate parenthood.

Strengthening Our Connection to Israel and Jewish Peoplehood Israel Engagement Initiative There is no place in the world more meaningful for the Jewish people than Israel. While the ancient land of Israel has always been home to the Jews, since 1948, the modern State of Israel has completely transformed what it means to be a Jew. Because of the State of Israel, Jews have a national Identity, wherever they live. Here at the Charleston Jewish Federation, we believe that Israel is one of the most effective ways to connect North American Jews of all ages to their heritage, and thereby strengthen our connections to the local Jewish community and the worldwide Jewish community. We also know that Israelis get more involved, more connected, and more aware of their Jewish identity when they have relationships with Jews outside of Israel.Partnership 2GetherPartnership 2Gether (P2G) creates relationships between the people of the Hadera-Eiron region in Israel, 11 Southeastern US communities, and the newest addition to the Partnership, Prague. Here in Charleston, that hasmanifested itself in peer-to-peer programs for young leaders, customized touring and home hospitality in the region for Charlestonians who visit Israel, and educational programming to connect teachers and students. Thanks to this partnership, the future of Charleston's relationship with Israel is stronger than ever.Israel Emergency Campaign & support for Israel during these challenging times.