East Bay Update

In July, the East Bay and San Francisco-based Federations officially joined together to become one unified organization. From what we’ve heard, the initial months of our integration have been extremely positive – and we still have more ground to cover.

It’s important to us that we share our work and hear your feedback. In that spirit, I want to provide some brief snapshots of our work in the East Bay and some exciting news of what we seek to accomplish in 2020. 

Community Connectors

Our concierge program has taught us that our community members, new as well as long-standing, seek connection and desire a high-touch, personal point person to find meaningful pathways to Jewish life and community.

Building upon the success of this program, we have launched a PJ Library connector initiative, in partnership with the Rodan Family Foundation. This program has placed 4 connectors throughout Contra Costa County to create neighborhood-based Jewish community programming to families with young children and engage the nearly 4,000 PJ Library subscribers in the East Bay. 

Security Services 

We have expanded our security program to the East Bay, offering emergency preparedness and response training. This work, led by Rafael Brinner, Director of Jewish Community Security and a long-time resident of the East Bay, convenes synagogues and organizational response teams, offering security assessments and grant writing support for security-related capital improvements. 

Overnight Camp

We have now made One Happy Camper available in the East Bay. This funding provides need-blind grants to incentivize participation in overnight Jewish summer camp for 110 first-time campers. With 6 dynamic Jewish summer camps now in the Bay Area, youth have incredible camping options to help forge enduring Jewish identities.

Rebranding

In 2020 we look forward to rolling out a new brand for our Federation. In addition to a noticeable new visual identity, the rebrand will include a new organizational name that is more inclusive of our entire region and resonates with our broad, diverse community. 

Most of all I am looking forward to more opportunities to meet you. We are grateful for your continued engagement and support of our shared work, ensuring a stronger Bay Area Jewish community. As the lights of the Chanukah candles will soon fill our homes, may we be inspired to build a bright future for our community – together.

For any questions on this work, please reach out to Rabbi Andy Kastner in our East Bay office or call 510.809.4934