By Adam Grobman
Harrisburg Haverim Society has distributed more than $3500 to four Jewish community organizations through its 2022 grant process.
The giving society, which engages former members of the Harrisburg Jewish community who have moved to other areas of the country and the world, awarded the following grants:
- Silver Academy – Social Justice Program - $1000
- Jewish Family Service – Emergency Financial Assistance - $932
- Historic B’nai Jacob Synagogue – Social Hall Upgrades - $1000
- Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg – Urban Poling Program Materials - $740
The awards were voted on by the six members of the society who are “scattered literally all over the world,” said David Raffel, a leading member of the Haverim Society, noting that the society funded four of the five grant requests it received this year.
“We looked at the quality and uniqueness of the program, the number of previous funding requests by the organization, and whether it’s a new organization requesting funding,” David said. “It is very fulfilling for Donor Society members to pursue a collaborative effort in deciding which organizations receive funding and in what amounts.”
Haverim Society began in 2014, when it awarded one grant for $280. “This year, we gave out four grants for $3,672,” David continued. “Since 2014, we’ve awarded more than $19,000 to a variety of Central Pennsylvania Jewish organizations.”
To qualify to participate, a donor must live outside of Central PA and give a minimum donation of $180 to the Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign, designating the contribution to benefit the Haverim Donor Society.
“We would be thrilled to have more participants every year,” David says. “With additional contributions to the Donor Society, our Endowment Fund will grow every year, with more funds to give out to worthy programs in the years to come!”
For more information on Harrisburg Haverim Society, contact Jennifer Ross at j.ross@jewishfedhbg.org or 717-236-9555 x 3104.