Our theme of Making a Difference in Jewish Lives translates into a world of need in our own western North Carolina community as well as overseas and Israel. The Federation Community Annual Campaign is the most trusted, most envied fundraising vehicle in the world. Here in western North Carolina, our responsibility rests squarely to sustain our community organization’s that makes our strong, vibrant community what it is.
The Mission of the WNC Jewish Federation is to harness the collective resources of the WNC Jewish community and direct them to the Jewish needs in the local community, in Israel and abroad.
The Vision of the WNC Jewish Federation is to encourage philanthropy across Western North Carolina by providing a reliable and efficient conduit that connects donors with the causes that are important to then, creating stronger affinity to k'lal yisrael and deepening a sense of fulfillment.
According to Jewish tradition the highest form of tzedakah is giving to a central campaign or community fund or kupah. Throughout Jewish history in small towns and large cities within both Israel and the Diaspora it was the custom of Jewish community to create an address for centralized giving. This guaranteed the privacy and dignity of the poor as well as the successful maintenance of communal "agencies". Today, the kupah (literally translated as community fund) is the annual campaign of the Jewish Federation.
In 2009 the campaign supported The JCC and its Jewish Family Services program, NC Hillel, Center for Diversity Education, Maccabi Academy, Asheville Community Theater, Center for Jewish Studies at UNCA and United Jewish Communities.
We raise community dollars to fund the many critical needs of these organizations, as well as support for projects in Israel and for worldwide Jewry through United Jewish Communities.
In 2009-2010 we have new challenges and will keep pace with growth by
The Keren Ami Fund was established on January 25, 2005 by the Board of WNC Jewish Federation. The purpose of the Fund is to provide financial assistance to Jews in western North Carolina when needed for health, support and other exigent circumstances.
These requests are for emergency aid and are destitute situations that come to the attention of Jewish Family Services or a member of the rabbinic community. The requests that were made and fulfilled in 2008 totaled $4348.31 for 11 clients of Jewish Family Services.
Examples of the types of requests were for emergency rent to a landlord to temporarily house a family or prevent eviction, bus tickets to get to a location of a family member, food, electric, gas and phone bill payments. All of these clients were Jewish and the JFS cases were done in consultation in strict confidence with one or more of the Rabbi's in the community. The process itself including the funding is done in strict confidence.
From time to time a crisis in Israel or situation of global significance creates an emergency appeal to be developed. The WNC Jewish Federation is the local facilitator of a response through a community emergency appeal or a response through the Jewish Community Relations Council.
New affinity groups offer option for participation in your local WNC Jewish Federation:
In the years ahead our area growth will rise at unprecedented levels. Services, programs and facilities will need to grow at a rate that keeps up with the demand. All statistics are showing a dramatic rise of Jewish families, early retirees and businesses finding western North Carolina their new home. Additionally, the ongoing conflict in Israel calls us to action - the violence inflicted upon Israeli citizens, our brothers and sisters is tragic. We can do our part and fund efforts to ease the suffering.
Click here to make a donation.
PO Box 7126
Asheville, North Carolina 28802
Office address:
75 North Market Street, Asheville 28801
Phone 828-545-4646
Email wncjf@bellsouth.net
Website: www.JewishAsheville.org
Executive Director, Janet Oppenheimer
