JTA: The Global News Service of the Jewish People

Loose Change: The state of the economy, implications for philanthropy and goodies for Jewish lobbyis

By Jacob Berkman · October 10, 2008

In the Jewish media:

• The New York Jewish Week gets inside the economic effect on the Jewish world with a series of articles:
  • The economy has hit the Jewish main street in Queens.
  • The country's largest Jewish federation, the UJA-Federation of New York, could dip into its reserves to offset losses from the Wall Street meltdown.
  • Financial aid requests are up in the Jewish community.
  • The economy could shift the Jewish vote.
  • A bailout for Tel Aviv could be in the works.

• The Forward says that Jewish lobbyists were able to get two provisions into the Fed's Wall Street bailout: One to extend the IRA rollover tax credit and one to provide a tax credit for mental health expenses.
• The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington has started a $300,000 emergency fund to help agencies get through the financial crisis.
• The historic Lloyd Street Synagogue in Baltimore gets a $1.2 million face lift, reports the Baltimore Jewish Times.
• Nonprofits call for compassion during the financial crisis, says the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent.
• A NORC grows in Metrowest New Jersey, thanks to a $478,000 federal grant, reports the New Jersey Jewish News.
• The Jerusalem Post says that a new Israeli startup will help train leaders in humanitarian efforts.
• The Boston Jewish Advocate reports a similar story.
• Tech CEOs in San Fransisco help give at-risk Israeli teens tech training via Net@, according to J.
• The Jewish Community Foundation of Milwaukee gave away $74,000 worth of grants, says the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle.
• Teens in Arizona help run philanthropies through the Grinspoon Foundation's B'nei Tzedek initiative, reports the Jewish News of Greater Phoenix.
• A JCC in L.A. has a new executive director, says the L.A. Jewish Journal.

And some news from the general philanthropy world:

• The Chronicle of Philanthropy says that philanthropies are trying to figure out what to so with the the Wall Street meltdown – but at the same time this might not be the end of philanthropy.
• The Council on Foundations and the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers are joining forces.
• Campbell Soup is giving away $10 million to help improve live in Camden, N.J., according to the South Jersey News.
• Georgetown University's finances have taken a hit, reports the Hoya.
• The economy has put the pinch on nonprofits in New Jersey, according to mycentraljersey.com.