Youth foundation dinner nets $27K
By Amy Kaufman
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As a demonstration of their faith in the 24 teenage directors of the Oregon Jewish Community Youth Foundation, the 160 attendees at the 11th Commandment Honor Thy Children Benefit Dinner May 20 seized the opportunity to pledge $27,600 for allocation to Oregon charities.
John Moss, executive director of the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation and supervisor of OJCYF, said the youth program teaches leadership and generosity through the process of raising and allocating charitable contributions. OJCYF board members assume the responsibility of visiting, researching and evaluating Jewish and secular charities before they vote.
"We give them adult responsibility, and they more than handle it," Moss said. "OJCF handles the monetary investments of the community and makes it grow. It also handles the human investment. My long-term personal dream is that these young people will assume positions of leadership in Portland."
The OJCYF Angels, who were honored at the dinner, have entrusted funds for allocation during OJCYF's first four years. The Angels are Henry and Gerel Blauer, Stan and Judy Blauer, Dick and Cameron Davis, Stuart Durkheimer, Irwin and Renee Holzman, and Harold and Jane Pollin.
Stan Blauer, president of OJCF, said, "OJCYF is a mirror of what the foundation does. The program could not have succeeded to this level without John Moss. His passion is contagious. Take with you this evening that the future of this community is in good hands."
Charles Schiffman, executive vice president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, said, "This program trains our children to be future philanthropists."
Schiffman quoted a study that revealed only 6 percent of the gifts of Jewish "mega-donors"—those who contribute $10 million or more to charity each year—goes to Jewish causes.
"What we are doing tonight will set that straight," he said.
Many Jewish organizations in Portland are recipients of OJCYF funding, including B'nai B'rith Summer Camp, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland and its agencies, including Cedar Sinai Park, Jewish Family and Child Service, the Community Relations Committee and Portland Jewish Academy.
Secular organizations who have received OJCYF funding include Clackamas Women's Services, Loaves & Fishes, Mercy Corp, the Oregon Food Bank and the Oregon Humane Society.
Jessica Elkan, director of development of Raphael House, an award-winning emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence, said funds allocated by OJCYF have supported the shelter's educational program, which provides people of all ages with "critical information about domestic and dating violence." She said OJCYF has 14 assistants trained to conduct workshops that focus on relationship issues.
"Prevention is key," Elkan said."OJCYF has been instrumental in enabling us to become a leader on this issue. The teen program funded by OJCYF has done over 30 presentations in the community."
Before the dinner, OJCYF board members functioned as ambassadors and staffed information stations showcasing various aspects of their work.
Bill Bugbee, visiting the station manned by his son Myles, said OJCYF has been "a great thing at this stage of his life," enhancing his appreciation of community and "the importance of giving back to the community."
In a poignant video, OJCYF members individually described what the tzedakah program has meant to them.
OJCYF member Julia Weiss opened her remarks by quoting Theodor Herzl, "If you will it, it is no dream." Four years ago, after her bat mitzvah, Weiss wrote to Moss to recommend the formation of a youth foundation, and the OJCF board adopted the idea.
Blake Morell, who has served on the OCJYF board for three years, said OJCYF "has been the doorway to my Jewish identity." Describing the rewards and constraints of the allocations process, he said, "The requests (for funds) are often double or triple what we have."
Morell announced that the third and final round of allocations for the year—this time to fund grant proposals—would take place June 3.
The May 20 dinner at the MJCC, combined with funds from other sources, will provide at least $30,000 to be allocated at that meeting, according to Moss.
The event was sponsored by U.S. Trust; Sharon, Shoshana and Ariel Ungerleider; and 18 other companies and individuals. Sharon Morell chaired the event, assisted by Julie Diamond, Michelle Gradow and Marcia Meyer.