End of Year Savings - December 10, 2021

Allow me to welcome and congratulate David Forman who begins his role as the new President and CEO of the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation in January. David is a fantastic person who cares deeply about the Jewish future. I had the honor and pleasure of working closely with David when he served as Chair of the Jewish Federation from
2014-2016. I look forward to partnering with him in the years ahead.
 
As we enter the final few weeks of the calendar year, there is no better time to make your gift to the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland’s Campaign for Community Needs. Our campaign has already raised over $2.2 million, but your support is needed to reach our goal. We recognize this has been a challenging year for many. With your generosity we can provide much needed programs and services throughout our community. Make your contribution here.
 
I am proud to share that last week the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland earned its fourth consecutive 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. This is Charity Navigator’s highest possible rating and indicates that the Jewish Federation "adheres to non-profit sector best practices and executes its mission in a financially efficient way. Attaining a 4-star rating verifies that the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland exceeds industry standards and outperforms most charities in your area of work." We are the only Jewish organization in the State of Oregon to receive this designation and one of just 61 non-profits in the entire state.
 
To learn more about the work of the Jewish Federation, please watch this video featuring Debra Porta, Executive Director at Pride Northwest. She discusses our work to confront hate in our community and our efforts on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community.
 
With 2022 only a few weeks away, now is an excellent time to consider tax-savings ideas:
 
  • The 2020 CARES Act provision that allowed $300 in charitable donations to be deducted without itemizing has been extended to 2021. The deduction limit is per person, so couples filing jointly can deduct up to $600 total.
 
  • Use appreciated assets to make a charitable gift in 2021. The stock market has had a historic run. By donating appreciated stocks or mutual funds, you get a tax deduction for the total value of the stock you contribute and avoid capital gains tax.
 
  • For donors 70 ½, you can direct distributions from your IRA to the Jewish Federation.
 
  • Contact the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation and establish a Donor Advised Fund. When you contribute to the fund you will get the full charitable deduction, save on capital gains taxes, and you will recommend your philanthropic grants in the future. Please contact the OJCF at 503-248-9328 or visit online at www.ojcf.org.
 
Disclaimer: The Jewish Federation does not provide tax advice. Please consult with your professional advisor before taking any action.
 
I am a sports fan and love this opportunity for high school and college students. Maccabi USA is proud to announce the launch of a new program, offering a unique, international experience for aspiring sports media professionals. A group of 14 students will be selected to cover the 21st Maccabiah (global Jewish Olympics) in Israel. Students will further develop their skills in play-by-play, sideline reporting, anchoring, video production, interviewing, camerawork, editing, sports reporting, streaming, and social media.
 
If interested, apply here. The final Maccabi Media team will be announced in January 2022 and will then begin virtual and in-person training sessions leading up to July’s event. For more information, please contact Neal Slotkin.
 
The Jewish Federation is partnering with the national Jewish Grandparents Network for programming for this segment of our community. On January 11 at 4:00 p.m. they are providing a virtual event called, “Raising Resilient Kids in a Stressed-Out World : How Grandparents Can Play a Role.”
 
Join internationally renowned Harvard professor Dr. Chris Willard to explore the foundations of resilience and how grandparents can cultivate qualities of resilience in our grandchildren, among them kindness and generosity, honesty, patience, and steadiness. Dr. Willard will use tools from positive psychology, neuroscience mindfulness, and spirituality as we explore techniques that have boosted human resilience in the face of adversity for generations. He will include experiential exercises along with simple takeaway tips for you and your family. You can register for the program here.
 
As a follow up to my piece about The Beatles documentary, Huffington Post shared this list of 10 Things The New Beatles Doc Can Teach Us About CollaborationIt is a great read with excellent thoughts.
 
Earlier this week, including this morning, I had the opportunity to share my perspective on the “past, present, and future of the Jewish Federation.” Thank you to those who made time to join me and the excellent questions raised.
 
Shabbat shalom.

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