The Jewish Funders Network has announced the formation of a peer network of funders dedicated to elevating special needs and disability advocacy in the Jewish community.
The network is a 2 year initiative funded by the partners and administered by the Jewish Funders Network. An outgrowth of ADVANCE, the October 2010 conference on special needs held by The Ruderman Family Foundation, JFN, Jewish Federations of North America and Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston, the network’s goal is to assess the current state of funding of special needs programs in the Jewish community, identify successes that can be duplicated on a larger scale, and bring attention to underserved areas that would benefit from additional funding. The network will feature a dedicated staff director, whose appointment will be announced at a later date.
Jay Ruderman, President of the Ruderman Family Foundation said, “It is extremely gratifying to see how the ADVANCE conference has catalyzed the funding community around special needs issues. There is no question that a consensus is forming to elevate the whole discussion of special needs programming within the Jewish community, including finding ways to more fully integrate disabled and special needs individuals and families more fully into Jewish communal life.”
The network’s 14 founding members include, among others:
- The Stanford and Joan Alexander Foundation (TX);
- The Ted Arison Family Foundation (Israel);
- The J.E. & Z.B. Butler Foundation (NY);
- Rachel & Larry Chafetz (MA);
- The Jewish Federations of North America;
- The Karma Foundation (NJ);
- The Rita J. & Stanley H. Kaplan Family Foundation (NY);
- News Corporation Foundation (NY);
- Pears Foundation (UK);
- The Ruderman Family Foundation (MA and Israel);
- Saul Schottenstein Foundation B (OH); and
- The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Inc. (MD).
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This is a fantastic initiative and long overdue. I’d like to give a special “shout out” to the Rudermans for taking the lead on making this happen! This is so important for the Jewish Education world. Kol Hakavode to all the supporters. Awesome!
The Ruderman Family Foundation’s leadership in the area of Jewish education for children with special needs exemplifies the transformation that can occur in the Jewish community when committed funders partner with strategic organizations to deliver services and programs. Investing in all of our children is critical to the survival of our peoplehood and to tikkun olam. Thank you to all of the 14 funders for your commitment and your passion. Arlene Remz, Executive Director, Gateways: Access to Jewish Education
This is great so so exciting to read about!! Interested to see how we can include those learners with Sensory Processing Disorder, an often “invisible” special need.
As a Jewish run special needs charity based in the UK but widely used in the US we think this is much needed and we really celebrate your initiative. http://www.netbuddy.org.uk – a highly interactive website transforming lives by effectively passing on tips and skills gained by one person to many others.