Jewish Federation surpasses 2018 fundraising goal

The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester has surpassed its fundraising goal for 2018.

Since the $5 million goal was set last October, the nonprofit raised $5.04 million. It is the first time the organization has topped the $5 million mark in a given fundraising year.

“We are thrilled to reach this historic milestone,” said campaign Chairman Eli Futerman, who also serves as CEO and co-president of Hahn Automotive Warehouse Inc. “I am so grateful to Federation President Rina Chessin for her leadership, to our board and to each and every donor to the campaign. It took every donation to make this dream a reality.”

Chessin said Futerman “hit the ground running” when he took over as campaign chair.

“And I couldn’t be more proud or impressed with his nonstop commitment to getting us over the $5 million mark,” Chessin said. “Together with Federation CEO Meredith Dragon, whose passion and drive since she came to us two years ago has been a huge motivating force, I am happy to say that we are very much moving in the right direction. This is history in the making.”

The Jewish Federation is a not-for-profit that works to build a strong Jewish community in Rochester, Israel and worldwide through philanthropy, engagement, education and advocacy.

Federation fundraising is supported by individual donors who give both unrestricted and supplemental directed contributions. Additionally, the Federation has a significant growing base of corporate sponsor.

The Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester is a philanthropic source with assets of more than $45 million. The Foundation recently launched the Life & Legacy program in Rochester, which, in partnership with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, unites 16 Rochester area Jewish institutions in a legacy building collaborative that is expected to bring millions of dollars of additional charitable commitments to the community.

Some of the organization’s initiatives include PJ Library, which provides free Jewish-content books for children, and the Jewish Community Navigator, which provides information and support for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“Increased fundraising allows us to make our Jewish community more vibrant and strong and to strengthen our partnerships in the Greater Rochester community,” Chessin said. “We work hard to contribute to interfaith initiatives, speak out against forms of discrimination, support literacy in Rochester city schools and more.”

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