Annual Report 2021

Here for Today. Here for Tomorrow.

Here for Good

In many ways, this has been a defining year for the Jewish Federation.

Our fiscal calendar began in the spring of 2020, not long after start of the global pandemic. This historic crisis threatened the health and welfare of individuals throughout our community and upended the rhythms and routines of daily life.

Despite the extraordinary challenges, we have reason to be grateful. If we have learned anything from the experience of the pandemic, it is that together, as a unified community, we can weather any crisis.

Throughout the pandemic, our communal leaders and institutions worked to make sure that our most vulnerable individuals were protected, providing millions of kosher meals to seniors and others in need, emergency aid to struggling families and protective gear for frontline workers. This was the most collaborative effort in recent times, uniting individuals from every corner of our community, every organization and stream of Judaism.

Several years ago, we introduced a new theme for the Jewish Federation, a ‘tag line’ to express the essence of our mission. Here for Good proclaims that Federation is an enduring entity whose purpose is to support, strengthen and advance our local and global Jewish community. We are here to take care of our most vulnerable individuals and to build a vibrant Jewish future for all.

Today, this theme has never been more relevant. Here for Good reflects not just the essence of the Federation, but also of our Jewish community itself. Thanks to the commitment of many individuals—including nearly 11,000 donors to our annual Campaign—Jewish Detroit remains as vibrant and cohesive today as it ever has.

Even as we recognize the ongoing impact of the virus and other complex challenges, we will never lose our vitality, spirit and gratitude for the richness and depth of our Jewish heritage and culture as well as the strength of our community.

  • Matthew B. Lester
    President, Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit
  • Dennis S. Bernard
    President, United Jewish Foundation
  • Steven Ingber
    Chief Executive Officer
    Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit

2020-2021 JFMD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

  • Matthew Lester
    President*
  • Ralph Gerson
    Vice-President
  • Kristen Gross
    Vice-President
  • Lee Hurwitz
    Vice-President
  • Ronald Klein
    Vice-President
  • Lawrence S. Lax
    Vice-President
  • Joshua F. Opperer
    Vice-President
  • Lowell Salesin
    Secretary*

  • Executive Secretary
  • Darren Findling
    Treasurer
  • Sherri Ketai
    At-Large*
  • Martin B. Maddin
    At-Large
  • Leah Trosch
    At-Large
  • *New or new position

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS

  • Carolyn Bellinson
    Co-Chair, 2021 Annual Campaign
  • Michael Berger
    Chair, Finance Committee
  • Dennis Bernard
    President, United Jewish Foundation*
  • Joshua Goldberg
    President, NEXTGen Detroit*
  • Robert Gordon
    Chair, PASC / LAPD
  • Betsy Heuer
    President, Women’s Philanthropy*
  • Beverly B. Liss
    Immediate JFMD Past President*
  • Joshua F. Opperer
    Co-Chair, 2021 Annual Campaign*
  • Sherri Singer
    Vice-President, Women’s Philanthropy Campaign*
  • *New or new position

2020-2021 UJF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

  • Dennis Bernard
    President
  • Michael Berger
    Vice-President
  • Gregg Orley
    Vice-President
  • Warren Rose
    Vice-President
  • Karen Sosnick Schoenberg
    Vice-President
  • Deborah Tyner
    Vice-President
  • Alan Zekelman
    Vice-President
  • Howard Morof
    Treasurer
  • Steve Ingber
    Secretary
  • Mindi Fynke
    At-Large
  • David Karp
    At-Large
  • Stevan Rosenberg
    At-Large

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS

  • Matthew Lester
    Jewish Federation President
  • Laurence Tisdale
    Real Estate / Capital Needs Committee Co-Chairman
  • Bernard Kent
    Investment Committee Chairman

2021 CAMPAIGN ACHIEVEMENT

2021 Annual Campaign$34,200,000
Andi and Larry Wolfe Challenge Fund3,700,000
Shrinkage Allowance–714,000
Prior Year’s Overachievement450,000
Past Year’s Unallocated Funds800,000
Total 2021 Campaign & Challenge Fund Allocations$ 38,236,000
Total Donors10,500

2021 ALLOCATIONS

ISRAEL AND OVERSEAS

CORE ALLOCATIONS
JAFI$4,412,506
JDC$2,442,724
World ORT$139,900
TOTAL CORE ALLOCATIONS$ 6,995,130
Assistance to the Children and Elderly in Kiev$ 200,000
Community Shaliach80,500
Emergency Needs – JAFI/JDC
Ethiopian National Project125,000
JAFI Ethiopian Reunification75,000
JDC – Argentina75,000
JDC – Skill Up50,000
LYA Partnership – Central Galilee
National Coalition Supporting Eurasian Jewry8,000
Nevatim
Partnership 2Gether – Central Galilee704,050
Shin Shin Program45,000
Unallocated Funds for Future Needs122,450
TOTAL ELECTIVE ALLOCATIONS1,530,000
TOTAL CHALLENGE FUND DESIGNATIONS394,000
TOTAL ISRAEL AND OVERSEAS$ 8,919,130

Jewish Education and Identity

SCHOOLS
Farber Hebrew Day School431,237
Hillel Day School696,981
Yeshiva Beth Yehudah1,030,666
Yeshiva Gedolah116,863
Yeshivas Darchei Torah370,829
Congregational School Funding440,682
BBYO81,189
Fresh Air Society / Tamarack Camps556,054
HILLEL FOUNDATIONS
Hillel of Metro Detroit187,325
MSU Hillel / Michigan Jewish Conference238,952
HCAM72,629
Michigan Hillel at the University of Michigan184,124
Jewish Community Center2,505,542
Mission Subsidies110,000
TOTAL JEWISH EDUCATION AND IDENTITY$7,023,073

National Agencies

Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies$30,000
Hillel International44,000
JCC Association of North America43,000
Jewish Council of Public Affairs12,000
70 Faces Media25,000
Israel Action Network40,000
JFNA Education Unit
JFNA Dues1,077,820
Birthright Israel106,000
Unallocated Funds for Future Needs121,985
TOTAL CHALLENGE FUND DESIGNATIONS3,600
TOTAL NATIONAL AGENCIES$1,503,405

Community Support

Foundation for our Jewish Elderly$256,189
Hebrew Free Loan157,019
JCRC/AJC331,118
Jewish Family Service2,722,412
Jewish Senior Life669,528
JVS Human Services1,361,270
TOTAL COMMUNITY SERVICES$5,497,536

Additional Local Support

Agency Support to Cover Rent for UJF Facilities$4,000,000
Campaign Expenses129,448
Campaign Reserve500,000
Capital Needs Fund Grant1,200,000
Challenge Fund Designations1,492,400
Community Security Program767,468
Endowment Fund Matching Grants1,450,000
General Fund250,000
Impact Measurement Program10,000
Real Estate Centralization Costs250,000
Unallocated Funds for Future Needs1,000,000
Youth Mental Health76,000
Federation Operating Budget Support
Community Development/Engagement1,235,693
Israel and Overseas Services516,290
Other Direct Program Services368,097
Strategic Planning and Partnerships132,460
Support Services1,915,000
TOTAL ADDITIONAL LOCAL SUPPORT15,292,856
TOTAL LOCAL AGENCIES$15,292,856

Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit / United Jewish Foundation

Support Provided to Agencies

For the FYE May 31, 2021

BBYO

Annual Campaign $71,152
Challenge Fund 10,037
Rent Support 29,374
Total – Campaign 110,563
Endowment Income 10,000
Covid-19 Emergency Campaign 10,000
Centennial Fund 0
Capital Needs Grants 0
Real Estate Centralization and Security Grants 0
State of MI Grant 0
JWF and Other Grants 0
DAF Grants 83,000
Total Other Support 103,000
Grand Total JFMD / UJF Support $213,563

Farber Hebrew Day School

Annual Campaign $366,584
Challenge Fund 64,653
Rent Support 391,836
Total – Campaign 823,073
Endowment Income 531,000
Covid-19 Emergency Campaign 240,000
Centennial Fund 56,000
Capital Needs Grants 46,000
Real Estate Centralization and Security Grants 16,000
State of MI Grant 0
JWF and Other Grants 10,000
DAF Grants 116,000
Total Other Support 1,015,000
Grand Total JFMD / UJF Support $1,838,073

Frankel Jewish Academy

Annual Campaign $0
Challenge Fund 0
Rent Support 0
Total – Campaign 0
Endowment Income 479,000
Covid-19 Emergency Campaign 71,000
Centennial Fund 12,000
Capital Needs Grants 16,000
Real Estate Centralization and Security Grants 0
State of MI Grant 0
JWF and Other Grants 0
DAF Grants 91,000
Total Other Support 669,000
Grand Total JFMD / UJF Support $669,000

Fresh Air Society / Tamarack Camps

Annual Campaign $483,033
Challenge Fund 73,021
Rent Support 1902793
Total – Campaign 2,458,847
Endowment Income 250,000
Covid-19 Emergency Campaign 0
Centennial Fund 138,000
Capital Needs Grants 810,000
Real Estate Centralization and Security Grants 44,000
State of MI Grant 0
JWF and Other Grants 0
DAF Grants 165,000
Total Other Support 1,407,000
Grand Total JFMD / UJF Support $3,865,847

Hebrew Free Loan

Annual Campaign $134,244
Challenge Fund 22,775
Rent Support 3,202
Total – Campaign 160,221
Endowment Income 34,000
Covid-19 Emergency Campaign 0
Centennial Fund 39,000
Capital Needs Grants 0
Real Estate Centralization and Security Grants 0
State of MI Grant 0
JWF and Other Grants 0
DAF Grants 419,000
Total Other Support 492,000
Grand Total JFMD / UJF Support $652,221

Hillel Day School

Annual Campaign $608,059
Challenge Fund 88,922
Rent Support 0
Total – Campaign 696,981
Endowment Income 490,000
Covid-19 Emergency Campaign 163,000
Centennial Fund 108,000
Capital Needs Grants 0
Real Estate Centralization and Security Grants 26,000
State of MI Grant 0
JWF and Other Grants 0
DAF Grants 626,000
Total Other Support 1,413,000
Grand Total JFMD / UJF Support $2,109,981

Hillel of Metro Detroit

Annual Campaign $163,209
Challenge Fund 24,116
Rent Support 0
Total – Campaign 187,325
Endowment Income 25,000
Covid-19 Emergency Campaign 8,000
Centennial Fund 0
Capital Needs Grants 0
Real Estate Centralization and Security Grants 0
State of MI Grant 0
JWF and Other Grants 0
DAF Grants 150,000
Total Other Support 183,000
Grand Total JFMD / UJF Support $370,325

Hillel – MSU/HCAM

Annual Campaign $286,911
Challenge Fund 24,670
Rent Support 81,872
Total – Campaign 393,453
Endowment Income 74,000
Covid-19 Emergency Campaign 16,000
Centennial Fund 13,000
Capital Needs Grants 48,000
Real Estate Centralization And Security Grants 3,000
State Of MI Grant 0
JWF and Other Grants 10,000
DAF Grants 78,000
Total Other Support 242,000
Grand Total JFMD / UJF Support $635,453

Hillel U of M

Annual Campaign $159,810
Challenge Fund 24,314
Rent Support 177,923
Total – Campaign 362,047
Endowment Income 132,000
Covid-19 Emergency Campaign 46,000
Centennial Fund 99,000
Capital Needs Grants 29,000
Real Estate Centralization and Security Grants 6,000
State of MI Grant 0
JWF and Other Grants 7,000
DAF Grants 71,000
Total Other Support 390,000
Grand Total JFMD / UJF Support $752,047

Jewish Community Center

Annual Campaign $2,283,363
Challenge Fund 222,179
Rent Support 0
Total – Campaign 2,505,542
Endowment Income 977,000
Covid-19 Emergency Campaign 700,000
Centennial Fund 60,000
Capital Needs Grants 30,000
Real Estate Centralization and Security Grants 78,000
State of MI Grant 37,000
JWF and Other Grants 65,000
DAF Grants 87,000
Total Other Support 2,034,000
Grand Total JFMD / UJF Support $4,539,542

JCRC/AJC

Annual Campaign $283,077
Challenge Fund 48,041
Rent Support 18,358
Total – Campaign 349,476
Endowment Income 8,000
Covid-19 Emergency Campaign 0
Centennial Fund 0
Capital Needs Grants 0
Real Estate Centralization and Security Grants 0
State of MI Grant 0
JWF and Other Grants 0
DAF Grants 28,000
Total Other Support 36,000
Grand Total JFMD / UJF Support $385,476

Jewish Family Service

Annual Campaign $2,373,453
Challenge Fund 348,958
Rent Support 248,806
Total – Campaign 2,971,217
Endowment Income 294,000
Covid-19 Emergency Campaign 550,000
Centennial Fund 403,000
Capital Needs Grants 19,000
Real Estate Centralization and Security Grants 7,000
State of MI Grant 1,488,000
JWF and Other Grants 104,000
DAF Grants 236,000
Total Other Support 3,101,000
Grand Total JFMD / UJF Support $6,072,217

Jewish Senior Life

Annual Campaign $600,106
Challenge Fund 69,422
Rent
Support
644,802
Total – Campaign 1,314,330
Endowment Income 1,350,000
Covid-19 Emergency Campaign 75,000
Centennial Fund 320,000
Capital Needs Grants 0
Real Estate Centralization and Security Grants 0
State of MI Grant 0
JWF and Other Grants 20,000
DAF Grants 93,000
Total Other Support 1,858,000
Grand Total JFMD / UJF Support $3,172,330

JVS Human Services

Annual Campaign $1,205,577
Challenge Fund 155,694
Rent Support 476,878
Total – Campaign 1,838,149
Endowment Income 0
Covid-19 Emergency Campaign 93,000
Centennial Fund 121,000
Capital Needs Grants 0
Real Estate Centralization and Security Grants 26,000
State Of MI Grant 2,126,000
JWF and Other Grants 25,000
DAF Grants 0
Total Other Support 2,391,000
Grand Total JFMD / UJF Support $4,229,149

Yeshiva Beth Yehuda

Annual Campaign $898,010
Challenge Fund 132,656
Rent Support 24,156
Total – Campaign 1,054,822
Endowment Income 614,000
Covid-19 Emergency Campaign 826,000
Centennial Fund 245,000
Capital Needs Grants 0
Real Estate Centralization and Security Grants 0
State of MI Grant 0
JWF and Other Grants 0
DAF Grants 156,000
Total Other Support 1,841,000
Grand Total JFMD / UJF Support $2,895,822

Yeshiva Gedolah

Annual Campaign $99,663
Challenge Fund 17,200
Rent Support 0
Total – Campaign 116,863
Endowment Income 57,000
Covid-19 Emergency Campaign 0
Centennial Fund 10,000
Capital Needs Grants 0
Real Estate Centralization and Security Grants 0
State of MI Grant 0
JWF and Other Grants 0
DAF Grants 2,000
Total Other Support 69,000
Grand Total JFMD / UJF Support $185,863

Yeshiva Darchei Torah

Annual Campaign $329,853
Challenge Fund 40,976
Rent Support 0
Total – Campaign 370,829
Endowment Income 190,000
Covid-19 Emergency Campaign 98,000
Centennial Fund 44,000
Capital Needs Grants 0
Real Estate Centralization and Security Grants 0
State of MI Grant 0
JWF and Other Grants 0
DAF Grants 14,000
Total Other Support 346,000
Grand Total JFMD / UJF Support $716,829

The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit is the cornerstone of our Jewish community. We are committed to taking care of the needs of the Jewish people and building a vibrant Jewish future in Detroit, in Israel and around the world. 

Providing for the well-being of the most vulnerable members of our community is a core value of our Jewish heritage and one of the fundamental aspects of Federation’s mission to serve the Jewish community. Through the Annual Campaign, Federation raises and allocates funds to its partner agencies to provide critical assistance to those in need, including individuals and families, seniors, people with disabilities, and the unemployed. 

Federation also stands ready to respond to disasters and urgent needs as they emerge. We are here to ensure the security and stability of our community, and to take care of those whose lives are affected in times of crisis, whether it means securing emergency resources, coordinating services or responding directly to critical issues.

 In addition to taking care of those in need, we also strive to ensure a strong and vibrant Jewish future for our entire community. This encompasses the work of strengthening Jewish identity through all ages and stages of life through Jewish camps and day schools, congregational schools, adult education courses and more.

It also means building and sustaining Jewish life here in Detroit, in Israel and throughout the world. Federation remains deeply committed to Jewish engagement and has led a revitalization of millennial and ‘Gen X’ engagement in the Detroit area.

Finally, we remain focused on growing Jewish philanthropy through our Annual Campaign, Centennial Fund and a variety of other sources of support that help us secure the long-term future of our community.

VULNERABLE POPULATIONS

  • Older Adults
  • Families in Need
  • Individuals with Disabilities
  • Underserved Communities

Urgent Needs

  • School Safety
  • Crisis Management
  • Community Infrastrutcure
  • Aliyah and Absorption
  • Combating anti-Semitism

Jewish Community

  • Teens
  • Families
  • NEXTGen Detroit
  • Women’s Philanthropy
  • Affinities
  • Missions
  • Partnership2Gether

Jewish Philanthropy

  • Challenge Fund
  • Annual Campaign
  • Endowment/Centennial
  • Philanthropic Funds
  • Community Partnership Support
  • Planning & Allocations
  • Support Foundations
  • Corporate Philanthropy

Jewish Identity

  • Adult Jewish Learning
  • Jewish Schools Day & Religious
  • Early Childhood
  • Special Needs
  • Hillel/Campus
  • Camp

You Matter.

The help we provide to the Jewish community in Detroit, in Israel and around the world is not possible without your support. Choose your level of impact…