2012 Study in Israel Scholarship Application

To download an application for a need-based scholarship to study in Israel please click the link below:

2012 Study in Israel Application

2012 Overnight Camp Scholarship Application

To download an application for a need-based scholarship for summer camp please click the link below:

2012 Summer Camp Scholarship Application

2011-2012 Genesis Fund Grants

Richmond Jewish Foundation is pleased to announce its 2011-2012 Genesis Fund grant application process and is issuing a Request for Proposals. The purpose of this Genesis Fund grant is to fund projects that make a significant impact in our community. Requests must come from a minimum of two organizations, working collaboratively, who may apply for funding up to $30,000. The Grants Committee will entertain applications requesting lessor amounts. Please contact the RJF office for details or an electronic application.

Please click here for more information about the RJF Genesis Fund.

2011 Sroka/Karp Application

Please click the link for the 2011 Sroka Karp Scholarship Application.

Donor Advised Funds

As 2010 comes quickly to a close, many of us are left considering the best options for year-end charitable giving. With only 15 days left in the year, the choices can seem overwhelming. To help remove some of this pressure, and help ensure you receive the best tax-advantages available in philanthropy, RJF offers a Donor Advised Fund.

Open a Donor Advised Fund today and receive an immediate tax deduction, then recommend grants to your favorite charities at any time in future years.

The process to open an account is simple and the rewards are significant:

· Unsurpassed tax advantages today, while you establish a lasting legacy of giving;

· Funds grow tax-free;

· Open an account with just $10,000 (payable over 3 years);

· Cost-effective alternative to private foundations;

· RJF has been a trusted organization for your philanthropy for over 30 years.

Don’t wait! In order to receive tax advantages for 2010, open your account by December 31, 2010!

To learn more about RJF Donor Advised Fund program call 804.545.8656 or click here.

Foundation Distributes $733,221 in Fourth Quarter

Masada Hillel Fund Supports Area Hillels

The Masada-Hillel Endowment Fund was established over fifteen years ago at Richmond Jewish Foundation to support programming for college age youth attending schools in the Richmond area.  Currently, the Fund supports the Hillel program as administered by the Weinstein JCC.  Contributions support a vast array of programs and services as outlined below.

Hillel of Richmond provides social, educational, cultural and religious opportunities for the Jewish students on VCU/University of Richmond campuses as well as MCV and TC Williams Law School. Hillel supports the State of Israel within secure boundaries and provides programs and education to ensure that support.  Hillel of Richmond has been a program of the Carole and Marcus Weinstein Jewish Community Center for over 15 years, funding for Hillel of Richmond is provided primarily on local level.  Every month Jewish students from all walks of life gather for free Shabbat dinner and services, Israel advocacy programs, and lunch and learns.  Our weekly programming has something for everyone from free bagels and coffee on Monday mornings, holiday activities, and interfaith programming with other on-campus organizations.  We sponsor several annual programs like free Passover Seders and free High Holiday meals, free dinner with Holocaust survivors, Krav Maga with an Israeli IDF Specialist, and access to Birthright trips to Israel and alternative spring break trips around the globe.  We even help send students to conferences around the world for young leadership development.  We also sponsor events for Jewish Law and Medical Students as well as young Jewish graduates and professionals.  We have a full time director who is on campus everyday and maintains active facebook groups.

If you wish to make a tax deductible contribution to the Masada-Hillel Endowment Fund please contact the RJF offices. More Hillel of Richmond information and programming can be found by clicking here.

Donor Advised Fund – Tax Smart Giving

Foundation Distributes $176,268 in Third Quarter

At its third quarter meeting, Richmond Jewish Foundation’s Distribution Committee approved grants totaling $176,268 to over 40 different non-profit organizations.

“Helping our donors accomplish their philanthropic goals is the Foundation’s mission,” said Distribution Chair Nannette Shor. “Our committee’s job is to make certain that all the requests for distributions are for organizations qualified under the tax code. Once we’ve done that, we simply carry out our donors’ wishes. Donor Advised Funds provide such a flexible way to give.”

The third quarter distributions included nine grants to local Jewish organizations, four grants to national Jewish organizations, over twenty-five grants to local and national non-Jewish organizations, two grants to the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond, and one grant to Richmond Jewish Foundation’s Genesis Fund.

A group of educators participate in a recent Facing History and Ourselves program at the Virginia Holocaust Museum Nuremberg Trials Courtroom Exhibit

Approved grants from the Herbert J and Ruth Rubel Holocaust Education Fund and the Henry and Gertrude Kupfer Holocaust Education Fund support our local community. These grants will provide funds for Holocaust education workshops to 75 local teachers. The educators will participate in the Facing History and Ourselves workshops provided by the Joint Holocaust Education Committee of the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond and the Virginia Holocaust Museum. The workshops will enable teachers to explore new materials and case studies about racism, prejudice and issues that divide society. Past participants included teachers from the city of Richmond and Chesterfield, Goochland, Henrico and Hanover counties. Ruth Rubel (OBM) and her good friend Gertrude Kupfer (OBM) were the first to offer Facing History and Ourselves workshops and programs in Richmond.

“While our nation is beginning to emerge from a recession, our donors continue to support the causes most dear to them. Clearly the Foundation is having a positive impact both here in Richmond and around the country,” said Richmond Jewish Foundation President Debra Gardner.

Distributions are approved each quarter of the year to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations. Since January 2009, $523,274 has been granted, while over $1 million was granted during 2008.

The other members of the Distribution Committee include Nancy Belleman, Leonard Goldberg, Barbara Shocket, and Andy Brownstein.

For more information about Richmond Jewish Foundation, or to make a contribution to one of the Foundation’s funds, contact Robert Nomberg at 804.545.8656.

Genesis Fund Supports Online Cemetery Database

The Beth Ahabah Museum and Archives recently announced the creation of an online cemetery database. The project was made possible by a Genesis Grant from Richmond Jewish Foundation. The database was created to assist researchers in locating the burial places of Jewish individuals in the Central Virginia area. It is based on information provided by area congregations and cemetery managers, and is as accurate as the data they have recorded over the years. For more information about the project and to use database please click here.