Oregon Jewish Community Foundation Celebrates Another Exciting Year

Oregon Jewish Community Foundation Celebrates Another Exciting Year

by | Jun 24, 2013 | Events, Features, Uncategorized

Portland, June 11th, 2013.  Nearly 100 friends gathered in Zidell Hall at the Rose Schnitzer Manor for the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation 2013 Annual Reception. Min  Zidell was surrounded by family as she was honored as Oregon Jewish Community Foundation’s outstanding Legacy Society Member for her endowment fund created for Oregon’s Jewish Indigent Burial Society, Hesed Shel Emet. (photo credit, Elie Bulka) Family members include: Steve Lippman, Matt French, Vicki French, Mike French, Jessica Justice, Jason and Athena Zidell, Stephanie Sherwood, Charlene Zidell, Becky Polley and Jay Zidell. Mackenzie Polley is on Min Zidell’s left.

Outgoing President, Eric Rosenfeld, presents an award to Min Zidell as OJCF’s Outstanding Legacy Society Member for her endowment fund created for Oregon’s Jewish Indigent Burial Society, Hesed Shel Emet.

Outgoing President, Eric Rosenfeld, presents an award to Min Zidell as OJCF’s Outstanding Legacy Society Member for her endowment fund created for Oregon’s Jewish Indigent Burial Society, Hesed Shel Emet.

Hesed Shel Emet recognizes that all Jews deserve to be buried with dignity regardless of their financial circumstance. The program was spearheaded by Cedar Sinai Park chief development officer Debbi Bodie in 2009, and is led by Steering Committee Chair Rabbi Ariel Stone, the Oregon Board of Rabbis and a committee of community leaders. Ms. Bodie continues to administer Hesel Shel Emet with the support of Cedar Sinai Park.

This is the first permanent endowment for Hesed Shel Emet. The ultimate goal is to have the financial needs of the program met through endowment funds like this.

Julie Diamond, Executive Director presents Eric Rosenfeld, Outgoing President with an award and a capybara t-shirt. Mr. Rosenfeld is President of Capybara Ventures.

Julie Diamond, Executive Director presents Eric Rosenfeld, Outgoing President with an award and a capybara t-shirt. Mr. Rosenfeld is President of Capybara Ventures.

Charlene Zidell speaks about her mother, Min Zidell's, endowment for the Oregon Jewish Indigent Burial Society, Hesed Shel Emet.

Charlene Zidell speaks about her mother, Min Zidell’s, endowment for
the Oregon Jewish Indigent Burial Society, Hesed Shel Emet.

Sharon Morell, Incoming President (left), with Bob Philip (center) and OJCF Board Member Jill Edelson (right.

Sharon Morell, Incoming President with Bob Philip and OJCF Board Member Jill Edelson

Attendees also paid tribute to OJCF outgoing president Eric Rosenfeld, who has led the foundation since 2010 and welcomed incoming president Sharon Morell. Mr. Rosenfeld is a managing partner at Capybara Ventures and a co-founder of the Oregon Angel Fund. Ms. Morell is a relationship manager for Morley Financial. She is also a member of the foundation’s investment committee, the OJCF Youth Foundation Advisory Committee and is the treasurer of Cedar Sinai Park.

The board and fund holders also approved the 2013-2014 roster of board members which include new members Owen Blank and Mrs. Zidell’s daughter, Charlene Zidell. Mr. Blank is a partner with Tonkon Torp LLP and has served on the boards and advisory panels of many local organizations. Ms. Zidell, is the Director of Corporate Relations and Communications for Zidell Industries and is actively engaged in the community sitting on numerous non-profit boards, donating her time and resources.

Jeffrey Wolfstone, who formerly served as Congregation Beth Israel’s representative for OJCF, will continue on the board as Vice President on the Executive Committee as an at-large member. Mr. Wolfstone is a shareholder at Lane Powell. He continues to serve on the board of Congregation Beth Israel and is a member of the Portland Angel Network.

About OJCF

The Oregon Jewish Community Foundation is dedicated to creating, promoting, and facilitating a culture of giving, and serves as the guardian of permanent funds available to safeguard the quality of Jewish communal life in Oregon and Southwest Washington. The Foundation invests its assets to foster strong support of the community’s current needs while also providing resources for future generations.

Oregon Jewish Community Youth Foundation Celebrates Ten Years of Giving Back

Oregon Jewish Community Youth Foundation Celebrates Ten Years of Giving Back

by | May 25, 2013 | Events, Features, Uncategorized

Portland, May 2nd, 2013. More than 200 teens, parents, grandparents, community leaders and educators turned out for the Oregon Jewish Community Youth Foundation’s (OJCYF) 10th Anniversary Celebration at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center. (Photo credit, LeeAnn Gauthier)  The event  raised $53,000 in gross proceeds.

Benefit guests joined in the Mitzvah Moment paddle raise including OJCF Incoming President, Sharon Morell, Jerry Nudelman, Anne Nudelman, Jonathan Cohen, Jeff Nudelman, and Sallie Cohen

Guests joined in the Mitzvah Moment paddle raise including OJCF Incoming President, Sharon Morell, Jerry Nudelman, Anne Nudelman, Jonathan Cohen, Jeff Nudelman, and Sallie Cohen

OJCYF’s mission is to secure the future of Jewish philanthropy and to develop a strong generation of future Jewish leaders.  By involving Greater Portland area Jewish teenagers in the fundraising, allocation and distribution of money to both Jewish and secular nonprofit organizations, OJCYF teaches its youth the satisfaction of philanthropy while instilling in them a sense of responsibility in community. 39 Jewish teens from diverse high schools including OES, Sunset, Lake Oswego, Wilson, Lincoln, Beaverton, Riverdale and more participated in this 10th season of OJCYF.  There’s a organizational video celebrating the great work of the students:

Keynote speaker Jordan Schnitzer gave an inspired address during which he spoke about making a difference through a single act of kindness every day and remembering humility.

Keynote speaker Jordan Schnitzer gave an inspired address during which he spoke about making a difference through a single act of kindness every day and remembering humility. The Harold and Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation was the lead sponsor.

Event Chairs, Danielle Spring (left) and Maayan Agam (right) welcome guests to the OJCYF 10th Anniversary Celebration Benefit Dinner.

Dinner co chairs were seniors Danielle Spring and Maayan Agam, each of whom have been in OJCYF for 4 years.

Sunshine Pantry Executive Director Sharon Straus with OJCF Executive Director Julie Diamond. In addition to raising funds for allocated by OJCYF, the benefit also included a food drive for the Sunshine Pantry in Beaverton.

Sunshine Pantry Executive Director Sharon Straus with OJCF Executive Director Julie Diamond. In addition to raising funds for allocated by OJCYF, the benefit also included a food drive for the Sunshine Pantry in Beaverton.

Teens ran the evening, beginning with a mock allocation activity, and acknowledgment of the generous support over 10 years by the OJCYF “Angel” funders and original founders of the program and a Mitzvah Moment paddle raise. The teen-led band, Surviving Yesterday, provided upbeat entertainment. The dinner also included a donation drive for Sunshine Pantry. The pantry’s founder, Sharon Straus, attended.

The evening concluded with honors for the founders of OJCYF, Marcia, Stuart and daughter Julia Weiss, John Moss, then OJCF executive director and the San Diego Jewish Community Foundation which guided OJCYF in the early days.

Gross proceeds from the benefit dinner exceeded $53,000. Net proceeds will be awarded to Jewish and secular community nonprofits by OJCYF teen board members at their May allocations meeting. The teens have already allocated $6,000 already to Jewish and secular organizations that they visited during the year. OJCYF is a program of the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation, www.ojcf.org.

About OJCF

The Oregon Jewish Community Foundation is dedicated to creating, promoting, and facilitating a culture of giving, and serves as the guardian of permanent funds available to safeguard the quality of Jewish communal life in Oregon and Southwest Washington. The Foundation invests its assets to foster strong support of the community’s current needs while also providing resources for future generations.