Donate | Jewish Family Service Association of Cleveland

When you donate to JFSA Cleveland, you are helping individuals and families live better lives. Whenever someone receives compassionate counseling, an individual with a disability achieves greater independence, an older adult stays healthy and safe, or a family attains self-sufficiency in the face of financial crisis or domestic abuse, it is donors like you that make it possible.

Get Involved

Get Involved

Connect With

Linas Vysnionis

Chief Philanthropy Officer

lvysnionis@jfsa-cleveland.org

Donate Now

Making an online donation to JFSA Cleveland is secure, fast, and convenient.

Donate

Leave a Legacy

Whether your estate is large, modest or somewhere in-between, you can help ensure that JFSA Cleveland will not only meet today’s needs, but will also be here tomorrow to assist our children and our children’s children

More Info

Donate by Mail

Send check to:

JFSA Cleveland
29125 Chagrin Blvd
Pepper Pike, Ohio 44122

Start a Named Fund

With an initial donation of $2,500 or more, you can establish a fund in your name designated to a cause you feel passionate about. Donors who enjoy this option are connected to JFSA throughout their lifetime and are able to witness first-hand the impact their gift has on our clients.

More Info

Stock, Life Insurance, Real Estate

By making a donation with stock, you gain the satisfaction of supporting local people in need and receive specific tax advantages at the same time.

more info

In-Kind Donations

Many of our programs are in need of in-kind donations such as food, clothing, and other material goods. These goods help women and children facing homelessness, older adults, adults with chronic mental illness or intellectual disabilities living on very limited subsidies, job seekers, and so many others who come to JFSA.

More Info

Learn how our donors are inspired to support JFSA’s work to provide solutions for individuals and families to face life’s challenges with confidence. Click on any image to read their personal story.

Fred and Jackie Rothstein

When Fred Rothstein’s mother died seven years ago, he and his wife Jackie faced the challenge of helping his younger brother who had lived with his mother until her death. Their father had died 10 years earlier. Fred’s brother had been struggling with mental health issues for many years and now had to live on his own. Both Fred and Jackie tried everything they could do to help his brother adjust, find a new residence, help him with medical appointments, handle his household expenses, but found the challenges of working with him daunting. “You could never know with him. He may be good for a week, and then the next day he doesn’t want to talk to you,” says Fred. “You get so frustrated. We worried we were not doing right by him,” adds Jackie.

A friend suggested she call JFSA to see how they could help. Jackie had known about JFSA from her volunteer work with NCJW (National Council of Jewish Women) when JFSA was located on Taylor Road years ago. “JFSA jumped right in,” she says. “Jane helped us get him an apartment, arrange for JFSA to handle his household bills, and have someone take him to his medical appointments. She helped bring order to his life.” Fred agrees. “He is functioning so much better now.”

JFSA is also helping Jackie’s mother, Betty, to stay active in the community. Betty volunteers twice weekly with JFSA’s Older Adult Services staff, assisting them with office activities in the new building. Philanthropy has always been part of Jackie’s family, starting with her grandmother who helped those in need anonymously. Jackie’s mother Betty established a scholarship with JFSA’s College Financial Aid Program. But for Fred and Jackie, supporting JFSA’s capital campaign was a personally meaningful way for them to give back for all the care and compassion their family has received.

Their generous gift has helped JFSA purchase and renovate its new headquarters in Pepper Pike. “We wanted to help JFSA help others the way they helped us,” says Jackie. “We are grateful for the opportunity to give back to an organization that has given so much,” says Fred.

Gerilyn Gleason, CCIM

The bright and modern interiors of JFSA’s new headquarters are thanks to the vision of interior designer Gerilyn Gleason, CCIM. But in addition to her talents, JFSA benefitted from her generosity of 500 plus hours of professional time she donated to create and implement the comprehensive interior design plan for JFSA, including furniture, flooring, window treatments, lighting, appliances and many other office elements.

“When I first met with Susie Bichsel last year, I learned all about what JFSA does. Then I met the staff and spent a lot of time with them at the Drost and PDC buildings just observing,” Gerilyn recalls. “I got a solid feel for how the staff works with clients, how they organize and use storage, and how they communicate with each other.” She also asked the staff what they thought could be improved in the new office in terms of comfort, storage, even lighting.

Her design not only addresses the various functional needs of the agency, but also incorporates the new JFSA branding visuals. “The design is monochromatic using gray tones in the foundation in the flooring and on the walls. We used the bright colors in the JFSA logo as pops of color throughout the building to create a cheery and bright space.”

The geometric mosaic concept incorporated in the flooring and the lobby walls originally stemmed from a floor sample of a tile design she found two years ago and had saved because “it spoke to me” and she knew she would use it one day. Once the JFSA project presented itself, she knew that this tile was perfect for the JFSA design. “To me as an artist, a mosaic reflects all the pieces and parts that make this great organization. It all comes together to create one beautiful thing.”

Her decision to donate her professional time came over time. “This is a very giving organization. The amazing people that work here work very hard to provide these services,” she says. But what impressed Gerilyn most was the Horvitz YouthAbility program. “It was the icing on the cake when I met with them. I love this program because it helps special needs individuals to achieve their higher capability,” she continues. “Moreover, I knew they wanted an art room and I wanted to make that happen for them. I know how important art is to our well-being. So I decided to donate my time to a cause that I really feel passionate about.”

Gerilyn continues to donate her professional time helping to guide how new building features will be designed, including a donor recognition wall and a history exhibit. She is glad that she is able to provide in-kind services to JFSA and encourages others in the same position to do the same. “This is a way I am able to contribute in a personally meaningful way that also supports the agency.”

The David And Inez Myers Foundation

It was a footnote in a Jewish population study conducted by the Jewish Federation of Cleveland that ultimately led to the creation of a program for children from income-eligible and unaffiliated Jewish families to attend Jewish summer overnight camp, according to S. Lee Kohrman, president of the David and Inez Myers Foundation, a supporting foundation of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, which offers scholarships or “camperships” through the program.

Kohrman took particular interest in the study’s finding that children and teens who spend summers at Jewish overnight camps are more likely to become more engaged in Jewish causes, become leaders in the Jewish community and more connected to Israel as adults. As a child, Kohrman never experienced Jewish summer camp himself because his family could not afford it, but saw first-hand its benefits when his own children attended summer camp.

“Without assistance from scholarships, children from unaffiliated families that have little or no Jewish community connection can be lost to the Jewish people,” says Kohrman. Fortunately, one of the key areas of focus of the Myers Foundation is the continuity of Jewish life in America, which might be in a position to support this effort. Kohrman canvassed other Jewish communities to identify programs that worked to connect Jewish children to Jewish summer camp. Together with JFSA and the Federation, the Campership Outreach program was created, funded by the Myers Foundation, with JFSA Cleveland operating the program.

At the start, the biggest challenge was finding children who would qualify. “It’s very difficult to find these children because of the lack of any Jewish community affiliation by their parents,” says Leslie Dunn, a trustee of the foundation. “You can’t reach these families through the CJN, so we had to be very creative in promoting the program.” Word of mouth and social media have helped reach unaffiliated families.

The program launched in 2012 and awarded 50 camperships. Since then, 192 camperships have been awarded and the future is promising. Kohrman says the program’s current focus will be to find ways to keep campers engaged in Jewish activities during the winter, such as BBYO, and to expand its social media presence through JHub to recruit more campers.

Jeff Kahn and karen horowitz standing with a woman holding an award

Jeffrey Kahn And Dr. Karen Horowitz

When Jeffrey Kahn first learned about JFSA Cleveland, it was at a time when the agency faced severe financial hardships. A group of community leaders was convened to develop a plan of action to preserve the agency’s mission in the community.

At the time, Kahn was chair of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Community Planning Committee. “Through that process, I saw first-hand how JFSA supports the most vulnerable in our community. It’s one thing to read about funding sources and reimbursements on paper, but very real and tangible when you meet the individuals and families who count on JFSA services,” says Kahn. Today, he serves as the Chair of the Holocaust Survivor Advisory Committee and led the search and purchase of JFSA’s new headquarters in Pepper Pike. His wife, Dr. Karen Horowitz, also knows well the struggles faced by people who have less. Throughout her medical career, she has focused on serving the underserved, previously working as a physician with Northeast Ohio Neighborhood Health Centers and currently with the Veteran’s Administration. She is also a CWRU Professor of Medicine.

The Kahns’ volunteer work in the community reflect their shared values for helping those who need assistance, whether it be the elderly, Holocaust survivors, individuals with special needs, women affected by domestic violence, or the hungry. “The need is always going to be there,” says Kahn. That’s why they decided to invest in JFSA and support the Client Food Pantry in JFSA’s new headquarters, scheduled to open in the spring of 2019.

“We have great confidence in JFSA, knowing they will be good stewards of our philanthropic dollars. It is one of the biggest commitments we have made and we are thankful that we can do this,” says Horowitz. “We are at a point in our lives when we can make a meaningful gift that fits the need.” A native New Yorker, Horowitz says Cleveland is a real community. “When you support a cause here, you know you’re really helping your neighbor.”

Enid And David Rosenberg

“With every gift we make, we are inspired to give even more.”

Enid and David Rosenberg have been uplifted by the many Jewish Federation of Cleveland overseas missions they have participated in. One recurrent theme has been: “Even with limited funds and limited resources, something inspirational can result. Let’s bring this inspiration home to Cleveland.” On a mission to Havana, Cuba, the Rosenbergs saw how a retired physician created a pharmacy to provide free medications for community residents.

On returning to Cleveland David engaged with JFSA to expand health care access for underserved members within our community. As a result, he helped to establish the Alyson’s Place Medical Clinic to provide medical care to JFSA clients. To best serve JFSA clients, Alyson’s Place engages volunteer physicians. This volunteer staff could readily be expanded by tapping the talent of retired health care professionals. However, these professionals are often hesitant to participate because of the systemic lack of malpractice insurance following retirement. To help mitigate this obstacle, the Rosenbergs created the Enid B. and David M. Rosenberg, MD Healthcare Engagement Fund to provide malpractice coverage for retired physicians who volunteer their professional expertise at the clinic. “This fund will allow JFSA to expand the spectrum of health care services provided to our deserving clients, a step towards making the world a better place,” says David, who is also a JFSA Board Member.

The David and Enid Rosenberg Family Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland created a $250,000 endowment fund to support overall programming designed to improve healthcare outcomes for JFSA clients. This grant will establish the Enid B. and David M. Rosenberg MD Healthcare Innovation Endowment Fund of Jewish Family Service Association of Cleveland to support creative and innovative projects in healthcare delivery, including state of the art scientific advances, new forms of therapy, advanced electronic communication and community partnerships.

“Enid and I experience a kaleidoscope of feelings when helping people in need and supporting projects that make the world a better place,” says David. “It warms our hearts so that, with every gift we make, we are inspired to give even more.”

Marv And Carol Lader

Former Clevelanders Carol and Marv Lader have long been active and generous supporters of JFSA since the late 1970’s when both were heavily involved in the resettlement of Jewish refugees from the Former Soviet Union. When Marv became Board Chair in 1983, their attention focused on the concerns faced by parents of children with developmental disabilities: who would take care of these children as they grew into adulthood, and more importantly,when their parents were no longer able to do so? As a result, a group of families came together to launch the first group residential sites for adults with developmental disabilities staffed by JFSA professionals. Today, JFSA operates over 60 residential sites in a three county area.

Carol and Marv’s connection to improving quality of life for young adults with developmental disabilities is personal and heartfelt. Carol is a founding board member of Milestones Autism Resources, a local organization providing education and resources to professionals, family members and individuals on the autism spectrum. They are especially pleased that Milestones and JFSA work together to achieve continuing positive results. Their great nephew Isaac, who is on the spectrum, has lived in a JFSA staffed group residential site. Their grandson, Daniel, also on the spectrum, is now 25 years old. Daniel graduated college and works at The Chicago Lighthouse, helping others with disabilities to build their skills so they can become more independent. He also is currently a guide at the Lincoln Park Zoo.

“There’s a big emphasis today in the transitional problems faced by young adults with developmental disabilities and autism issues. As young adults, they face challenges,” says Marv. That is where Carol and Marv decided to make a difference. In 2001, the Laders committed a $1 million gift to the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Centennial Initiative to support programs for adults with developmental disabilities. Although one-half of their gift was in the form of a testamentary gift, the Laders decided to fund that portion this year. In recognition of their major gift, JFSA’s Journeys program has been named the Carol and Marv Lader Journeys Program. The program helps young adults (18 years and older) with autism and other cognitive related disorders meet new people, making lasting friendships in the community, gain self-confidence and become more independent. “I’m a great believer in putting the money to work now,” says Marv. “I encourage people who have made testamentary gifts to consider the advantages of doing this. For us, it has been very important and is a pleasure to see good things happen as a result.”

Now living in Chicago, Carol and Marv continue to support the programs in Cleveland that are close to them. “Cleveland is a model community of how philanthropy works. It means a lot to Carol and me. We may have left Cleveland but our heart is still there. It’s been our journey.”

Lois Davis

The Hebrew Shelter Home is an important part of Lois Davis’s life. “It’s because I grew up a treasured child and was a loved wife,” she explains. “I was very fortunate to have been taken care of with love all of my life. Here there are people who weren’t as lucky as I was, and I want to help them.” That’s why Davis has established a $1 million endowment fund to support the Hebrew Shelter Home. The home provides temporary shelter in a kosher setting for women and children in the Jewish community facing homelessness and domestic violence. Working with the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and JFSA, Davis set up the fund to annually support the home’s capital improvements and programming for at-risk families there. Davis says she hopes The Lois J. and Larry Davis Family Endowment Fund –named after her and her late husband – will inspire others to join this effort and help raise the endowment to $3.5 million, which would significantly reduce the need for annual fundraising for the Home.

Dee Kleinman

JFSA Life Director Dee Kleinman admits she had limited knowledge of JFSA at first. “I didn’t know much about JFSA prior to joining a committee in the late 90’s,” says Dee, who was recruited to volunteer by a dear friend. That changed quickly as Dee became more involved in the agency. “I’m so impressed by the variety of services JFSA offers the community and by the professionalism of the staff. They really care about their clients.”

Besides serving as the Chair of the Volunteer Services and Community Engagement Committee, Dee has a special connection with JFSA’s College Financial Aid Program. Ten years ago, Dee created a named scholarship in her granddaughter’s honor to support college seniors and graduate students. “My granddaughter was graduating from college and I wanted to give her a meaningful gift,” explains Dee. “Creating a scholarship for those in need seemed like the perfect idea. Every year, my granddaughter and I choose the scholarship winners together. It’s a wonderful experience to be able to share with her and it’s very fulfilling to know we are helping someone else achieve their goals.”

It’s just one of the many ways Dee leads by example. She knows her time and financial support have a significant impact. “JFSA is a community,” says Dee. “The board members, staff, volunteers and clients – we are a community.”

Chicky Drost

Chicky Drost (of blessed memory) a JFSA Life Director, said her first memories of JFSA were when her father, Archie Drost, served on the board in the 1970’s. “Our family has been supportive of JFSA for a long time,” explained Chicky, who has witnessed the agency’s growth. “Over the years JFSA has become a solid organization with many amazing programs. It is stronger now than ever before.”

In 1990, the Commerce Park office building was renamed “The Drost Family Center” in recognition of the major support provided by the Drost family. Chicky saw firsthand the positive effects JFSA has had on a family member who has lived in one of JFSA’s residential homes for a number of years. “My cousin is well taken care of,” says Chicky. “She loves her roommates and JFSA is very attuned to her sensitivities. The fact that she has a place to call home is wonderful.”

Chicky had always known about the diverse challenges people face. “The community needs are always changing and fortunately for us, JFSA is always there,” she says. “The agency touches so many lives in so many ways. Cleveland without JFSA would be a bleak place.”

Norm Wain

Norm Wain (of blessed memory) enjoyed a successful career as a prominent businessman in the radio industry, but his life was not without challenges. Norm moved to Cleveland in 1954 and by the early 60’s was invited to join the JFSA Board. He knew JFSA helped the community, but he never expected he would be on the receiving end of services. “Never in a million years did I think I would need JFSA services, but in the late 60’s, I found myself in a deep depression.”

Knowing what JFSA had to offer, Norm made an appointment with a counselor. “He opened me up right away and got to the basis of my problems,” says Norm, who came to realize that work and family stress were causing his issues. “Depression is real and it’s debilitating. But he lifted the veil from my face. I was able to unburden myself and that is how I got healthy again.” Upon his counselor’s suggestion, Norm began to educate himself about business and sales and as a result his whole life changed. “I owe all my success to JFSA and the counselor who told me I wasn’t crazy. I don’t know where I’d be today without him.”

Norm attributes JFSA’s continuing success with its ever growing mission. “In the 60’s, JFSA had a fairly narrow mission. Today the breadth of services is surprising,” he notes. “JFSA practices Tikkun Olam in everything they do. I would advise any family, Jewish or not, to come to JFSA for help.”

Jon Wise

JFSA Board Member Jon Wise is eager to tell people about the benefits of the Holistic Recovery Services offered through JFSA. For the past 10 years, these services have enabled his family member who struggles with mental illness to grow and live more independently. “A person who has a mental illness needs more support than the family alone can give,” explains Jon. “This program allows individuals to spend time with people who don’t look at you like you’re different. The stigma is gone.”

In 2011, the Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Northeast Ohio (PLAN) merged with the mental health programs offered through JFSA’s Ascentia, allowing PLAN members greater access to valuable wrap-around services like representative payee services, employment services, pooled disability trust funds and case management. “These are vital resources for families who can’t do it all themselves,” explains Jon, who previously served on PLAN’s board of directors. “It’s been an enormous help and brings us peace of mind.”

Jon also knows how important it is that families know their loved ones are taken care of even after the family is gone. “It’s important for the community to support those with mental illness,” he says. “They need guidance. Who’s going to do it if we don’t?”

The Miller Good Family

The Miller Good family’s multi-generational support of JFSA is as exceptional as it is inspiring. Their legacy begins in the 1950’s with matriarch and former JFSA Board Chair Anne Miller*. “My grandmother’s first love was JFSA,” explains Sid Good, a third generation board member. “Even after her term as President was completed in 1956, she remained an active board member for many, many years. Helping others was her passion.”

That passion endures today as the Good family continues to serve the community. Anne’s daughter and JFSA Life Director Sally Good helped launch the Families at Risk division. She and Sid also serve on several JFSA committees and participate in agency volunteer activities, often recruiting the fourth generation of Goods to get involved. “Giving back to the community is just something you do,” says Sid. “I grew up watching my grandparents and parents help others. Those are values I know my niece and nephews are learning, too.”

One reason the Good family continues to support JFSA is the dynamic nature of the agency. “JFSA has kept up with the times,” explains Sally, who notes that the needs are continuous, but ever changing. “JFSA has always been one step ahead of the curve,” adds Sid. But anticipating needs is only part of the equation. “It’s the quality of the services we offer that has sustained the agency for 140 years. At the end of the day it’s all about caring for those in need,” says Sid. “That was something that my grandmother always understood. I think she’d be thrilled with JFSA today.”

William Wortzman

JFSA Life Director and former Board Chair Bill Wortzman grew up in the inner city of Cleveland in the 1940’s with his mother, two brothers, and a sister. “My mother had a full plate,” explains Bill, whose brothers both had mental illness. “In those days if you had children that were mentally ill, you didn’t talk about it. You kept it in the closet. The emotions that you felt as a parent were not able to be expressed.” But Bill’s mother was able to get help from JFSA. “That weekly visit meant everything to my mother,” says Bill who remembers taking a street car and two buses to the JFSA offices at Huron and 6th Street every week. The agency offered much more than counseling. “We were on welfare. I remember JFSA helping us with food and clothing. They helped my brothers.” As Bill got older he craved independence. “As a teenager I thought, ‘I’m never going to ask for help. I’m going to make sure that I can stand tall. I’m going to go to college and get an education’,” explains Bill. “But I didn’t have a dime to go to college.”

Ultimately Bill did turn to JFSA and received a grant which helped him pay for college. “It allowed me to achieve the independence I was looking for,” says Bill. After graduating with two degrees and becoming a successful businessman, Bill decided it was time to give back and volunteer at local nonprofits, including JFSA. “It felt so meaningful because I had come full circle. Here was an organization that had done so much for me, and I felt I had an obligation to help them.” Bill has since established several funds at JFSA, including a scholarship and endowment fund to support mental health programming. He says that although he once felt embarrassed, he now feels pride about his association with JFSA.

Bill also spends personal time with clients as a volunteer delivering Rosh Hashana gift bags to isolated elderly clients on JFSA’s Mitzvah Day. Bill spends extra time with each client, helping to make their holiday a little brighter with conversation along with the gift bag. In addition, Bill leads the effort to raise funds to pay for each gift bag. Last year over 80 gift bags were delivered to clients by individuals. Thank you Bill for all you do for JFSA!

Trish Adler

Trish Adler’s passion for helping others, particularly women suffering from domestic violence, began when she participated in a special training session that would completely change her perspective on domestic violence. “During the training, I came to realize that I had been in emotionally abusive relationships in the past. It was like a light bulb went off. I had never recognized the abuse before.”

After moving to Cleveland in 1996, Trish joined the JFSA Board of Directors to create the agency’s first teen dating violence prevention program. “When I was younger I had no knowledge of the different types of abusive relationships. Maybe if I had, I could have avoided them. That’s why I feel it’s so important to educate teens and give them the tools to recognize abuse.” Today that program is known as “Know Abuse™” and has educated tens of thousands of area teens about healthy dating relationships.

In addition to advocating for teen education, Trish is also dedicated to women survivors of domestic violence. Through her work, Trish became close to three JFSA clients and survivors of domestic violence. “We’re still in touch,” says Trish. “We talk on the phone and I have them over for dinner. Their stories are incredible and I’m happy to see them doing so well.” Trish continues to work with JFSA because she understands how essential the agency is for the community. “There are so many different needs,” says Trish. “JFSA is a safety net. Without it, people would have nowhere to turn.”