Jewish Federation leads the way in 'Unity is Community'
Summer Faerman standing beside a Little Free Pantry in Boca Raton. Through Dec. 31, 2020, the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando held a Human Services Relief Matching campaign, sponsored by the Jewish Federations of North America. The Federation raised $62K, which JFNA matched with $31K (50 percent matching gift), equaling a total of $93K for our community. JFNA saw the need to create the Human Services Relief Matching Fund because of the economic crises - approximately 1.2 million Jewish adults felt the financial crunch that affected housing costs, and food security. Federation Executive Director Keith Dvorchik contacted Jewish Family Services of Orlando, Central Florida Hillel, the Jewish Pavilion, Kinneret Council on Aging, and the Rosen JCC and Roth Family JCC to discuss their COVID-related needs. Dvorchik discovered that that through October 2020, JFS Orlando had a significant increase in several areas, including a 227 percent increase in the Pearlman Pantry food service; a 50 percent increase in counseling; and a 78 percent increase in the Family Stabilization Program. Throughout the past year, JFS Orlando CARES has provided emergency financial assistance for Orange County residents who have been impacted by COVID-19. This program is made possible through a Housing and Community Development grant as part of the CARES Act and in partnership with the TOP Jewish Foundation and the Jewish Capital Alliance.