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The Foundation

The mission of the Foundation - Jewish Communities of Western CT is to assist donors in planning for the best use of their resources for family and charity, while providing funding for the future of the local Jewish community as well as national, overseas, and in Israel.

Established in 1994 as a semi-autonomous division of the Federation - Jewish Communities of Western CT, Inc., the Foundation has grown substantially through gifts and managed funds, and through judicious investments.

The pomegranate, our Foundation logo, has long symbolized life in many cultures. It has special meaning in Jewish culture because its seeds were thought to physically represent the 613 commandments of Judaism. The pomegranate stands for a productive future and a significant past.

Jewish Community

Bethlehem, Cheshire, Litchfield, Middlebury, Morris, Naugatuck, Oxford, Plymouth, Prospect, Roxbury, Southbury, Southington, Thomaston, Torrington, Washington, Waterbury, Watertown, Wolcott, Woodbury, Afula/Gilboa (Israel), Israel, and Kazan (Russia).

Investments

The Foundation's Investment Committee, chaired by Pat Magida, oversees the investment of the Endowment Fund, and meets periodically with the Fund's managers and consultants.

The Foundation's endowment fund of approximately $12.5 million at September 30, 2009 is invested with the Fund Evaluation Group, Inc.

The portfolio is invested for the long term with minimum and maximum target ranges. As of August 2009, the Foundation is invested as follows: 43% large/mid cap equities, 5% small cap equities, 11% international equities developed markets, 5 % international equities emerging markets, 17% fixed income instruments, 2% real estate and 16% low volatility instruments.

NEWS: Grants and Allocations Schedule
The Grants & Allocations Committee of The Foundation, Jewish Communities of Western CT, Inc. has set its schedule for reviewing and determining requests for 2009/2010.

Grants providing seed money for startup programs from the Foundation’s unrestricted funds will be reviewed and determined in October, January and May. All grant applications have deadlines set for the 15th of the month preceding their review at grants meetings. Grants for capital expenses are reviewed each June.

The Foundation's College Scholarships come from four scholarship funds, each with their own set of guidelines. The Dr. William Finkelstein College Scholarship Fund, The Shobhna Shukla and Matthew Ginsburg College Scholarship Fund, The Janet & Alan Hertzmark College Scholarship Fund and the Ruth Kravitz Higher Education Fund will receive applications no later than April 15, 2010 with awards announced in early May.

Camperships are provided by the Charlotte and David Walzer Camping Fund and The Waterbury Hebrew Ladies' Aid Fund. Other funds supporting Jewish camping experiences have come from the William Finkelstein Fund for Needy Jews, The Sophie, Joseph and Mark Brinker Fund and the Traurig Fund. Camp scholarship applications must be received by April 1, 2010 in order to be considered. Camperships will be awarded in early May.

Scholarships for travel to Israel are funded by the Walzer Passport to Israel Fund and the Liebeskind Scholarship to Israel Funds. These scholarship applications are accepted at any time and awards are made timely.

Interested parties can obtain the grant application guidelines and various forms for scholarships and grants by selecting the appropriate tab.
For further information please contact The Foundation at (203) 267-3177 or Donna Albertario at dalbertario@jfed.net