The Jewish Genealogical Society of Oregon hosted a one-day conference with a grant from MJCC's Living Room Fund.

MJCC Living Room Fund gets grant to help groups use center

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article created on: 2012-01-01T00:00:00

The Mittleman Jewish Community Center’s Living Room Fund received a $1,000 grant in December from the Community Endowment Fund of the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation. The Living Room Fund was created to facilitate use of the MJCC facility, “the Living Room” of the Jewish community, by subsidizing the cost of rentals for non-fundraising events hosted by Jewish organizations.

“This generous grant has broad implications for our community. The Living Room Fund is not just about subsidizing rentals at the J. It’s about helping Jewish organizations, building community, creating a gathering place and strengthening the MJCC,” said MJCC Executive Director Lisa Horowitz.

Individuals and businesses can contribute directly to the Living Room Fund at the OJCF or can designate a gift through a Donor Advised Fund. Small gifts are welcome. Contact the OJCF at 503-248-9328.

“The foundation is honored to support The Living Room Fund, which helps make our beautiful Jewish community center available to more organizations than would otherwise be possible,” said Julie Diamond, OJCF Executive Director.

The Living Room Fund was established in 2008 with the funding support of the Lois and Leonard Schnitzer Supporting Fund of the OJCF and the Lora and Jim Meyer Family Fund of the OJCF. Since its founding, the Living Room Fund has raised $13,800 and has disbursed $9,836 in grants to the MJCC to subsidize rental costs for several Jewish organizations, including Congregation Beth Israel, Congregation Kol Shalom, Jewish Family and Child Service, Jewish Genealogical Society, Jewish Student Union/NCSY, Melton Mini-School and the Oregon Jewish Museum.

Barbara Hershey, president of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Oregon, acknowledged the role of the Living Room Fund grant in the success of a genealogical conference in March 2011 at the MJCC.

“Thanks to a grant from the Living Room Fund and reduced rental rates at the MJCC, it was possible for the Jewish Genealogical Society of Oregon to hold a day-long conference, “Getting the Most out of Ancestry.com,” that was co-sponsored by the MJCC and the Genealogical Forum of Oregon,” said Hershey.

Crista Cowan, community alliance manager of Ancestry.com, gave several lectures to a sold-out crowd about how to maximize research success while using one of the leading genealogy online databases. She focused on researching Jewish families, primarily those from Eastern Europe. She spoke about patterns of names and how to be creative when thinking about Grandfather Morris and whether he was Mordecai, Moishe or some other variant at various times and in various places they lived.

“Over 130 community members interested in examining their familial heritage were able to gather to learn techniques,” said Hershey. “They raved about the comfortable surroundings for the day’s events.”

Applications are sought for the Living Room Fund for 2012. All Jewish groups are eligible. Submit a one-page letter/email to the MJCC describing the organization’s mission, the specific meetings and/or events for which subsidy is sought and the amount needed. Submissions will be reviewed by MJCC, with a recommendation to the OJCF for final approval. Fundraisers or events open only to members of one group or synagogue are not eligible. For more information, contact Helen Gundlach, director of development at the Schnitzer Family Campus, at 503-535-3594 or hgundlach@oregonjcc.org.