FEDERATION PROTECTS THE SHARED INTERESTS OF OUR COMMUNITY

The St. Paul Jewish Federation is operating at full capacity to support our Jewish community. We are working closely with our partner agencies and synagogues to ensure that we continue to provide the services that community members need. Here are seven ways the generous support of our donors is enabling the St. Paul Jewish Federation to build community resilience and help those in need during this pandemic:

1. Supporting our agencies now and in the long term. Federation’s job is to ensure that St. Paul agencies have the resources they need to deliver services to the community. We have surveyed community agencies and are in ongoing communication with agency and synagogue leaders to determine their needs. We are ensuring a coordinated response to meet community needs today and an effective strategy for coming through this crisis with strength.

2. Making $51,000 in emergency grant money available to synagogues & beneficiary agencies. The grants are designed to help local organizations continue to serve our community as they face significant challenges due to COVID-19.

3. Providing guidance on Paycheck Protection loans. We helped agencies and synagogues access this critical loan by providing application resources and direct consultation.

4. Providing 1,000 protective face shields. Federation is working with our Sovev Kinneret Partnership to provide Sholom protective face shields made in Israel.

5. Well-check calls to community members. The board and staff of Federation have made hundreds telephone calls to check in on community members and offer assistance to those who need help. We continue to make calls.

6. Keeping our community connected. We want to ensure that physical distancing doesn’t lead to isolation. We launched Virtual Jewish St. Paul, an online resource for connecting our community to essential services, online meetups, webinars, and activities for every member of the family.

7. Helping Jews worldwide during this crisis. Through the COVID-19 response initiated by our international partners, The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and Jewish Agency.

Stay connected to your Jewish community online. Go to Virtual Jewish St. Paul for meetups, local resources, activities for children, families, adults and religious connections.

Federation donated 1,000 much-needed face shields to Sholom last week. The shields were made in Israel and working with our longstanding Sovev Kinneret Partnership made this mitzvah possible. We love that Sholom CEO Barbara Klick described these shields as “the Cadillac of face shields.” We are so glad we can make a difference in the comfort and safety of the heroic staff at Sholom.

Information on Paycheck Protection loans including the loan forgiveness application is available online through Jewish Federations of North America.