JPhilanthropy.com :: Great Grants and Great Giving in 2005

Tigray, Ethiopia cost well and training of local people to build and maintain well

All the villages around are using that well

A Glimmer of Hope is a family foundation primarily focused on making a sustainable difference in the lives of the rural poor of Ethiopia. Rather than working through the national government, A Glimmer of Hope partners with local indigenous development organizations to help the Ethiopian people through integrated development projects reflecting the true needs of those communities.

PJCTF's grant paid for the entire cost of a well in Tigray, Ethiopia, as well as for training local people to build and maintain the well. Wells built through A Glimmer of Hope keep underground water contained all the way from the source to the faucet, keeping out parasites and other disease-causing pathogens. Beyond health implications, water scarcity severely affects the lives of women as female family members are traditionally responsible for water collection. Collecting water is a back-breaking chore that saps women's energy, diminishes their health and restricts their involvement in productive activities and community affairs. All the villages in the Tigray area are using the well and enjoying its benefits.

Supporting Israel
Jewish Youth Philanthropy Institute grant of $2,400
To Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington

The Israel mission program is hosted by the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington (JCRC). There are over 200 alumni of this program, which brings political leaders in Maryland, DC and Virginia to Israel in order to help them gain a deeper understanding of the complexities that is the Middle East and forge closer ties between those leaders and the Jewish community.

The JYPI grant enabled the JCRC to extend an invitation to visit Israel to Alexandria (VA) City Councilman Ludwig Gaines, rounding out a group of eight public officials and six Jewish lay leaders and staff. This was Councilman Gaines's first trip to the Middle East. In the councilman's words, as quoted in the JYPI newsletter, "I'm deeply appreciative for the opportunity to participate in this experience. Not only from a leadership perspective, but this was an opportunity of a lifetime, personally and spiritually. It was a chance to learn about the people and cultures of Israel. And it was a chance to view cutting edge technologies – from lifesaving devices at Hadassah Hospital to Homeland Security innovations, and energy saving equipment – that are applicable to my work and responsibilities for the City of Alexandria."

Fighting Homophobia
Rose Youth Foundation grant of $3720
To Mosaic: The National Jewish Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity

Mosaic: The National Jewish Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity partners with Jewish organizations, communities, and individuals of every denomination to create a world where all Jews are fully included in Jewish communal life, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Mosaic's major goals are: (1) to increase the visibility of LGBT Jews as integral members and leaders of Jewish communities; (2) to advocate on behalf of LGBT Jews and their allies who need support, partners, knowledge and resources to bring about change in their own communities; (3) to educate Jewish institutions, communities and individuals of all denominations on how to create more inclusive and diverse communities.

The Rose Youth Foundation grant helped Mosaic to develop and implement a new course at the Denver Hebrew High about contemporary issues of identity, diversity and sexual orientation using traditional Jewish texts.