Hillel University of Memphis

Season 3 of the Hillels of Memphis On One Foot: Jewish Faculty Lecture Series kicks off tomorrow, Friday, September 24, and features a new group of Jewish academics from Rhodes College and the University of Memphis. Lectures this season will be featured every second or third Friday of each month, starting with Dr. Shaul Bar, Professor of Judaic Studies at the University of Memphis. Hillels of Memphis is a program of Memphis Jewish Federation, which is operated by Jewish Community Partners.

“This is the first time, in all these years, that I have seen the Director of Hillel reaching out and getting teachers involved,” said Harry Samuels, a past President of Memphis Jewish Federation who was instrumental in establishing the first Memphis Hillel as a student at then Memphis State University, and who has remained involved with the program for more than 60 years. “It’s a wonderful thing that she’s done, because involvement is very important in any Hillel. If you can get the Jewish professors involved, it really means something to the students, aside from the benefit of the lectures themselves. I am very supportive of what she has done and I compliment her on her involvement.”

“I’m incredibly excited to continue the Hillels of Memphis Jewish Faculty Lecture Series for another season because it was so popular and well-received last year, not only by the people who attended, but also the lecturers,” said Sophie Bloch, Director of Hillels of Memphis. “My hope and goal for On One Foot is that everyone leaves feeling more connected to the larger Memphis Jewish community and to Hillel as a result of this collaboration.”

“This initiative was created during COVID when there were little to no in-person events happening in the Memphis Jewish community,” said Sophie. “It was also created when we were trying to leverage virtual programming to engage with the community. Despite more events currently happening in-person, we wanted to continue with this initiative because of the great feedback we’ve gotten so far.”

Season 3’s topics are as diverse as the lecturers, whose expertise in history, mathematics, philosophy, cybersecurity, mechanical engineering, and communications will bring the episodes to life. Viewers can look forward to hearing from Jewish professors who have joined their faculties within the past year, with many topics related to current events and issues affecting our daily lives.

“Hillel’s On One Foot Faculty Lecture Series is a wonderful example of the long and proud tradition of Jewish intellectual engagement,” said Professor Eric Gottlieb, a Season 3 lecturer and Rhodes College Math Professor. “It’s an honor to have been asked to contribute. I look forward to a lively exchange about mathematics, and Jewish involvement in mathematics, with participating community members.”

Each hour-long lecture starts at noon, with time included for group discussion. The series is designed for any community member interested in learning and is open to everyone.

“The Faculty Lecture Series is a rare Hillel program that isn’t specifically student-focused. We intentionally created it as a community-focused program for anyone with a student’s curiosity,” said Sophie. “Any adult community member will find the topics intellectually stimulating, and the sessions also give students the opportunity to learn from professors outside of their major or department, and possibly outside of their school as well.”

The sessions are open to the public, but viewers must register in advance. Click here to learn more and register. The lectures will be recorded and posted on the same webpage. Viewers can catch up with the first two seasons now, and watch upcoming lectures the week after their live debut.

“I’m hoping that viewers leave with a sense of connection to the Jewish academic talent at our local institutions, and a renewed perspective of how our religion ties into more topics than we may realize,” said Sophie.

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By Sophie Bloch, Director of Hillels of Memphis

Over these last few months, I have often thought back to my own college experience and what it would have felt like to be starting a new school year during a pandemic. I studied dance and theater, so time and time again I came back to the age-old adage that “the show must go on.” And go on, it did! In spite of physical distancing and students scattered around the country, we were still able to honor the essence of what makes Hillel.

After an incredible pilot Jewish Learning Fellowship (JLF) series in the spring, twenty students participated in JLF this semester. Because JLF was virtual this semester, we were able to combine students from Rhodes College and University of Memphis into one cohort to learn together. The pandemic has put many other quintessential college activities on pause, which has left more availability for more people to participate in Jewish learning; many of the students taking advantage of virtual JLF this semester otherwise wouldn’t have been able to participate due to their class schedule, athletics, or work obligations.

We also launched a virtual learning series with Jewish faculty from Memphis universities to spotlight the incredible Jewish intellectual talent we have here in Memphis for the entire Memphis Jewish community to enjoy. Named “On One Foot” in honor of the parable about Hillel the Elder teaching a student the “entire Torah while standing on one foot: treat others how you’d like to be treated,” each program in the series features a Jewish academic speaking on their area of expertise. Each lecture was recorded and archived on the Hillel website so future learners can enjoy the lectures as well.

(Above) Professor Victor Coonin, Professor of Art and Art History at Rhodes College, spoke about “Michelangelo, Moses, and Black Lives Matter” to discover what Michelangelo’s depictions of Moses can teach us about contextualizing problematic statues from the Civil War era.

Crisis calls for Jews to step up, which is something eight Hillel student interns learned this semester during a new Fundraising and Development Internship in partnership with Memphis Jewish Federation. Students learned about the Jewish values of philanthropy as well as valuable communication skills for fundraising that will translate to any future career, all while having the opportunity to get paid for remote work. The students in this leadership role set the tone for meaningful involvement in Hillel and Jewish communal life for their peers, all while Memphis Jewish Federation got support from students in securing pledges for its Annual Community Campaign.

Even though classes were virtual this semester, many students were living in Memphis either with their families or in their off-campus apartments. Because of this, we hosted small outdoor socially distant Shabbat dinner celebrations at the Morris S. Fogelman Jewish Student Center at University of Memphis. In-town students from both campuses came together to safely celebrate Shabbat and holidays together, providing a much-needed opportunity for connection and spirituality.

The semester wouldn’t have been complete without Hillel swag- and the best part about Hillel swag is that it travels! Without the usual milestones to mark time, we benchmarked the semester with care packages that were either mailed or hand-delivered to students in honor of the start of the semester, Rosh Hashanah, and finals week. As a result of receiving care packages throughout the semester, students felt included in the Hillels of Memphis community no matter where they were spending their semester.

Whether it was through remote learning opportunities, leadership development, outdoor Shabbat and holiday celebrations, or receiving goodies in the mail, Hillel students brought their best selves forward. We have so much to learn from the compassion, dedication, and resilience of our young adult community, and now more than ever I am confident that the future of the Jewish people will thrive in their hands.

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By Sophie Bloch, Director of Hillels of Memphis

To no one’s surprise, many young adults have had to change their plans this summer because of the Coronavirus. Lots of programs are cancelled and jobs are hard to find, leaving countless young adults feeling overwhelmed and hopeless. Meanwhile, they still want – and need –  to build their resumes, meet new people, strengthen leadership skills, and tackle real issues in the world today. 

Luckily there is now a unique Jewish experience to meet these needs – and earn $500 while doing so.

Together with The Jewish Federations of North America, Memphis Jewish Federation and Hillels of Memphis are offering a great opportunity this summer for Jewish students and recent graduates. The Jewish Changemakers Fellowship is a 3-week online leadership experience, July 6 – 24, built for career development, networking and making a difference in the community.

For approximately 15 hours per week, Fellows will earn credits for each online session completed, for volunteering and for connecting with their small group cohort and coach. Each cohort will also develop their own project to address a local challenge caused by the global health pandemic.

Click here to learn more about the program and how to get involved.

Sessions will be offered in-real-time and recorded to allow for maximum flexibility and to accommodate busy schedules. Facilitators will be awesome and inspiring leaders who have experience working with young adults. The Fellowship will have some big speakers to reinforce and model changemaking leadership.

Changemakers will help young adults succeed in a competitive job market while also connecting them to the Jewish community. Our goal is to inspire young adults to bring their talent to the community long-term as our future leaders. Fellows who complete the program will receive a $500 stipend, plus a certificate of completion for their resume. 

It has been an overwhelming few months as we navigate our ever-changing world. While there have certainly been moments of hopelessness, despair, and heartbreak over plans changed and milestones missed, this is finally a new, innovative, and empowering opportunity we can ALL get excited about!

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Thank you for your unwavering support

Dear Hillels of Memphis supporters,

We hope this letter finds you and your family safe and healthy. As you know, we had planned for the theme of this year’s Yiddishe Cup to be “My Hillel Story” to highlight the important role Hillel has played in developing Jewish leaders, role models and philanthropists in the Memphis Jewish community.

While we always anticipate the possibility of rain at the event, we could have never anticipated the current health crisis we are facing. As difficult as this time has been for all of us, it is surely a moment in our Hillel Story that we will never forget as the leaders of tomorrow – our current college students, whom you generously support – are shaped by the example of resilience and dedication they are witnessing from around the Memphis Jewish Community. While many Hillels around the world are suffering as a result of this crisis, Hillels of Memphis is securely positioned to carry on fueling Jewish life on campus, both physically and virtually.

Even though we were unable to hold the Yiddishe Cup in person this year, your generous support will still benefit Hillels of Memphis.

Proceeds from the Yiddishe Cup – Hillels of Memphis’s primary fundraiser – benefit students at University of Memphis and Rhodes College through educational programs, social events, Shabbat meals and much more. While we won’t be able to celebrate the successes of Hillel together in person this year, we are honored to have your unwavering generosity during a time when students most need to feel supported.

Thank you!

Sophie Bloch – Director, Hillels of Memphis

Carolyn Schrier- Yiddishe Cup Co-Chair

Daniel Snyder- Yiddishe Cup Co-Chair

Wendy Rotter- Advisory Board Chair, Rhodes Hillel

Hal Fogelman- Advisory Board Chair, U of M Hillel

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It’s time to polish up on your putt-putt skills for Hillels of Memphis Annual Yiddishe Cup Mini Golf Tournament. Enjoyed by people of all ages, this year’s challenge will be held on Sunday, April 26, at 2 p.m. at Golf & Games located at 5484 Summer Avenue.

Rain or shine, activities within the facility will be available if rain prohibits putt-putt.

The theme, “My Hillel Story,” will celebrate the important role Hillel has played in developing Jewish leaders, role models, and philanthropists in the Memphis Jewish community. Memphians are encouraged to submit their Hillel story to be highlighted in promotional materials leading up to the event and at the tournament.

Hillels of Memphis is operated by Jewish Community Partners, whose President CEO Laura Linder, was the fist to submit her Hillel Story. She writes:

“If it weren’t for my involvement in Hillel as a student at Indiana University, I would not be sitting in the seat I’m in today!  During my sophomore year I was asked by a friend to serve as a co-chair of the UJA Student campaign at IU which was a committee of Hillel.  ‘All you have to do is make a few phone calls and speak at a few events,’ is how she first presented it to me.  But it was the opportunity to participate in a national leadership conference and go on a free trip to Israel that initially inspired me to accept the challenge! Hillel at IU was well organized and attracted a diverse group of students. I ended up spending a lot of time there during college. When my grandmother died suddenly during my junior year, my ‘Hillel family’ was very supportive and comforting. I remember being at services on a Friday night, I wanted to say Kaddish for her and I was really struggling.  Someone put their arm around me and we stood together. From that moment on I realized that Hillel is more than a place, it’s a Jewish community, it was MY Jewish community, and there for me at a time when I really needed it.”

You can share your story in an email to Hillels of Memphis Director Sophie Bloch.

Yiddishe Cup co-chairs Daniel Snyder and Carolyn Schrier, in cooperation with the University of Memphis Advisory Council, chaired by Hal Fogelman, and the Rhodes College Advisory Council, chaired by Wendy Rotter, are excited about instilling a meaningful theme for the event.

“Students from both schools will also play an integral role in planning and organizing the event,” said Hillels of Memphis Director Sophie Bloch.

“College is a time where young adults start to figure out who they are, and who they want to be,” said Carolyn. “Hillel provides positive opportunities for these students to make Judaism part of that journey. Supporting Hillel through an event such as the Yiddishe Cup lets students of both campuses know that they don’t exist in a vacuum. Our broader community is proud to have students in their midst, wants to be looked upon for resources, and hopes that upon graduation, students will elect to stay in Memphis, and grow their overall involvement in the city.”

There are multiple ways to participate in the Yiddishe Cup Mini Golf Tournament. So gather your family and friends to: form a team of four at $36; become a sponsor at multiple levels, beginning at $118; and share your Hillel story. Teams will have the opportunity to win special prizes for a hole-in-one and other categories.

The Yiddishe Cup serves as the primary community fundraiser for Hillels of Memphis. Both Hillels serve as a home away from home for Jewish students. All proceeds from the event benefit students on both campuses through educational programming, social events, Shabbat meals and communal programming and events throughout the year. Eighty-five percent of Hillel’s operating budget is funded through a generous endowment. The remaining 15% comes primarily from funds raised through the Yiddishe Cup fundraiser.

The event is open to people of all ages and makes for a great family outing.

Registration, sponsorships, detailed information about the event, and how to tell your “Hillel Story,” may be found at www.hillelsofmemphis.org/yiddishecup.

You may also contact Hillel Executive Director Sophie Bloch at 901.452.2453 or email sophiebloch@hillelsofmemphis.org.

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By Sophie Bloch, Director, Hillels of Memphis

Above: University of Memphis students Niki Schienberg, Gila Karasik, Eli Apel, and Jessica Breining gather for an end of semester Hanukkah lunch at the Morris S. Fogelman Hillel building near the University of Memphis campus.

I often joke that my job as the Director of Hillels of Memphis centers around feeding and caffeinating ravenous college students. On one hand, the work of Hillel does indeed fall back on the incredibly reliable Jewish tradition of coming together as a community around a delicious meal – there are few experiences in life as profoundly gratifying as providing a hot, home cooked meal to a busy student who otherwise survives on whatever the dining hall is serving. On the other hand, the delicate process of building trusted relationships so that Hillel isn’t just another place to eat is where the real magic of the work happens.

Since school started in August at University of Memphis and Rhodes College, Hillel served ninety-six bagels at weekly bagel brunches, thirty-eight Shabbat meals enjoyed with friends from across both campuses, and forty-five cups of coffee shared over relationship-building conversations. Those relationships, though, are the real metrics of success in this line of work.

Relationship-based engagement is engagement with students based on their interests and passions that leads to sustained interaction. When successful, relationship-based engagement enables students to understand the role Judaism plays in their identity, empowers students to integrate Jewish values into their life choices, and teaches students to take action to incorporate Jewish tradition into their lives. Relationship-based engagement also helps results in students engaging with their community of Jewish peers and their connection to Israel. On average, students who participate in Hillel at least one time over the course of their college career exhibit statistically higher outcomes above than Jewish students who have never participated in Hillel. The more frequently a student engages with Hillel, the higher the outcomes they exhibit.

Last semester, over seventy Jewish students across Memphis schools have invested in their relationship with Hillel, and thus Jewish life, by attending a Hillel program or event over the course of the Fall semester. Thirty of those students have committed to Jewish life on campus by taking on a leadership role in Hillel or participating in more than five programs or events over the course of the Fall semester.

Jewish life continues to thrive on college campuses in Memphis, thanks to Memphis Jewish Federation’s Hillels of Memphis program. At Rhodes College, new Hillel Student Board officers were elected as the Fall semester came to a close in December. Pictured here are new officers, from left, Marisa Moore , Sophie Enda, Mira Greenberg, Sarah Ginsberg, and Emma Jane Hopper

In addition to building relationships with students, I have met with countless campus and community partners, further solidifying the role Jewish Life plays on campus as well as the role Hillel plays in the Memphis Jewish Community. I have gotten to know our amazing lay leaders and supporters, hearing your own Hillel stories as we together ponder how to honor the legacy of past Jewish life on Memphis campuses while evolving to meet the ever-changing needs of today’s Jewish college students in today’s Memphis Jewish community. Today’s college students across the country struggle with demanding classes, extreme social pressures amplified by social media, and expectations to take advantage of every opportunity they come across for personal development and resume building while on campus. Many of them struggle with mental health, loneliness, and despair about the world they will be inheriting as they become leaders of tomorrow.

I have the distinct privilege of bearing witness to the journeys of Jewish students at Rhodes College and University of Memphis as they forge their way in the world and recommit to the role Judaism plays in their life. We live in a time when any Jewish life on campus should be seen not as expected, but as miraculous. For students who are surrounded by fast fads, countless trends that come and go, and more causes to fight for than ever before, reconnecting to Jewish values, traditions, and community is a steadfast way for Jewish students at Rhodes and University of Memphis to both remember who they are and also discover who they can be. For some that means stepping into a leadership role to help organize programs and events, or participating in the upcoming Jewish Learning Fellowship class in the Spring. For others, it means bringing their friends by the Morris S. Fogelman Jewish Student Center at University of Memphis to show off the incredible study and lounge space they have come to grow proud of as their own. No matter where the college students of Memphis are on their Jewish Journey, Hillel is here to meet them where they’re at and walk alongside them, coffee cup in hand.

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Sophie Bloch, Director of Hillels of Memphis, has been accepted to participate in the 8th cohort of the Hartman Fellowship for Hillel Professionals during the 2020-2021 school year.

The Hartman Fellowship for Hillel Professionals brings together a select group of campus professionals from across North America and Israel for study of Israel’s central challenges. The Fellowship cultivates this group of elite leaders to think in values-based terms about Israel as a core element of Jewish life, and provides them with a set of tools to foster substantive and compelling conversations about and relationships with Israel.

The Fellowship includes two in-person seminars at the Jerusalem based Shalom Hartman Institute, a mid-seminar intensive in New York City, and bi-weekly video conference calls throughout the academic year. As a Hartman Fellow, Sophie will study the Hartman Institute’s iEngage curriculum, which is designed to transform and elevate the tone and level of discourse about Israel on campus by exploring questions such as:

  • How do we create and maintain a Jewish democracy?
  • What values should a Jewish state embody?
  • What is the meaning of Jewish Peoplehood?

Sophie has previously participated in the Hillel Professionals cohort at the Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, as well as the Birthright Israel Fellows training program through the iCenter.

Sophie, front row right, previously participated in a Hillel Professionals cohort at the Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies in Jerusalem.

“I’m excited to bring new knowledge and insights from the Hartman Fellowship back to my work on campus by stimulating meaningful conversations and dialogue among and between our students,” said Sophie. “I also hope to add to the conversation about Israel within the broader Memphis Jewish community.”

“We are so proud that a member of our staff has been chosen for this prestigious national fellowship,” said Bluma Zuckerbrot-Finkelstein, Chief Strategy Officer for Jewish Community Partners. “Sophie is a dynamic and engaging Jewish professional who will continue to strengthen Jewish life on campus and students’ connection to their Judaism and the State of Israel.”

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When Jewish students begin classes at University of Memphis and Rhodes College this fall, Sophie Bloch will be at the forefront to help them navigate Jewish life throughout their college journey.

As Jewish Community Partners’ new Director of Hillels of Memphis and Director of Student Life, Sophie brings enthusiasm and personal knowledge. She comes to Memphis ready to share the positive experiences she gained while spending four years as a Hillel professional at the University of California, San Diego. There, her dedication and commitment was recognized as she worked her way up from travel counselor and marketing associate, to director of engagement and ultimately director of student life.

“We are so fortunate to welcome Sophie to the Memphis community,” said Wendy Rotter, Rhodes College advisory council chair and co-chair of the search committee. “As a Jewish professional, she brings the skills and experience of engaging and connecting Jewish college students to their faith, to each other, and to the community. We conducted a national search and had a field of strong candidates. Sophie filled our job description perfectly. I look forward to seeing Jewish life flourish on both campuses!”

Sophie’s introduction to the Hillel movement began with a Birthright Trip to Israel. The trip was sponsored by the University of California, Berkeley Hillel, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Performance Studies, a Bachelor of Arts in Rhetoric, and a Master of Arts in Jewish Education.

“That trip to Israel was life changing for me,” she said. “I connected with Jewish life on campus, made new friends, and knew that I wanted to work for Hillel. I was inspired to pass on the mission and values of Hillel and help other students, like myself, explore Judaism in a meaningful and personal way.”

Sophie believes that coming to Hillels of Memphis was beshert (destiny). When her husband, (then fiancé) Aaron Bloch, matched at University of Tennessee Health Sciences Urology Residency program, she began looking for a job in Memphis.

“It was perfect timing that Jewish Community Partners had just posted the opening for Hillels of Memphis,” she said.

“Jewish college students and the entire Memphis Jewish community will benefit from the ‘perfect timing,’” said Bluma Zuckerbrot-Finkelstein, JCP’s Chief Strategy Officer. “Anyone who meets Sophie will immediately connect with her warm and engaging manner. We all look forward to her taking our two campus Hillel chapters to even greater heights.”

“Everyone has been so impressed by Sophie’s enthusiasm, positive attitude, and her plans for Hillel,” said Hal Fogelman, University of Memphis Hillel advisory council chair and co-chair of the search committee. “Students will really enjoy working with Sophie as they collaborate with her on future activities and events.”

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The Morris S. Fogelman Jewish Student Center at the University of Memphis in conjunction with Rhodes College Hillel is pleased to announce The 2019 Yiddishe Cup which will be held on Sunday, April 7, 2019 at 2:00 PM at Golf & Games located at 5484 Summer Avenue. This year’s event will be chaired by Lawson Arney, in cooperation with the University of Memphis Advisory Council, chaired by Hal Fogelman, and the Rhodes College Advisory Council, chaired by Wendy Rotter. Students from both campuses also play an integral role in planning and organizing the event.

A $36 contribution includes a team of up to four people, along with the opportunity to win special prizes for a hole-in-one and other categories. The event is open to people of all ages and makes for a great family outing.

In addition, there are several other ways to support Hillels of Memphis through this fundraiser. Sponsorship opportunities begin at $118. Local businesses can also submit gift cards for the silent auction.

All proceeds directly benefit Hillels of Memphis. Hillel serves as a home away from home for Jewish students and provides educational, social, and communal programming and events throughout the year.  This year marks the second year of the Hillel at Rhodes College. Rhodes College is home to approximately 70 Jewish students and the Hillel is quickly becoming an integral part of the campus community.

Participants and sponsors can register online.

For more sponsorship and registration information, or to donate to the silent auction, contact Rabbi Jeremy Simons at Hillel of Memphis at 901.452.2453 or email rabbijeremy@hillelsofmemphis.org.

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By Gila Golder

Fulfilling Jewish Community Partners’ mission to keep our Jewish community cared for, connected, and engaged just got a whole lot easier.

Thanks to a generous grant from a donor who holds a fund with the Jewish Foundation of Memphis, Jewish Community Partners has acquired several new technology upgrades that have already made drastic improvements in efficiency, announced Laura Linder, JCP’s President and CEO. Jewish Community Partners operates both Memphis Jewish Federation and the Jewish Foundation of Memphis.

Following a year-long process, JCP transitioned from an older database platform to Blackbaud, a constituent relationship management (CRM) platform for managing data. With strong integrated Web and direct marketing components, the new CRM was specifically built for Federations and was in use by several others before JCP began the transition process. 

In just a few months since the platform’s “go-live” date, JCP has already seen improved outcomes and functionality— and has had the support of Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) to help navigate the transition and provide a roadmap for data migration. Improved reporting and analytics, as well as greater integration of donor communications into the CRM, have also enabled JCP to standardize processes and improve donor relationships.

“Onboarding our new CRM was a huge undertaking for everyone at MJF and adds so much value for our donors,” said Abbey Cowens, JCP Fundraising and Data Analyst. “Now, we have this cutting-edge tool that will help donors be the philanthropists they strive to be in a way that’s adaptable and efficient. It lets us work with people over their lifetimes to maximize the impact they can make with their giving.”

Hillels of Memphis, a program of Memphis Jewish Federation, has also acquired new database software— Little Green Light (LGL), used by Hillel chapters throughout the country to ensure accurate tracking of event attendance and student interactions. Since adopting LGL in 2018, Hillels of Memphis has greatly improved its ability to measure the impact of its programs and to keep up-to-date records of current students and alumni across its campuses.

Granting, an integral part of operations for both Memphis Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Memphis, has also received a much-needed boost in efficiency. JCP has created a new website through Survey Monkey Apply– https://jcpmemphis.smapply.org/— to streamline the process for grant applications, application review, grant approvals, and follow-up. The application process for Memphis Jewish Federation’s Fedovation Innovation Grants for 2019-2020 is already live on the site; others, including MJF’s Community Grants, MJF’s Lemsky Endowment Fund Grants for programs that build bridges between Memphis and Israel, and JFOM’s teen-managed B’nai Tzedek grants, are in the pipeline.

“I’m thrilled that we will now be able to offer an upgraded and much improved user experience for all our grant applicants,” said Bluma Zuckerbrot-Finkelstein, JCP Chief Strategy Officer.

Jewish Foundation of Memphis uses a software called FIMS, a fully integrated foundation management system, to manage its funding and giving processes. Recently, FIMS was acquired by Blackbaud, which also owns Donor Central (the online portal for Donor Advised Fund holders) and Memphis Jewish Federation’s new CRM. At Blackbaud’s request, JFOM has migrated FIMS data from in-house servers to Host.Net, a cloud provider. Host.Net operates multiple data centers and will take care of server maintenance, upgrades, and backups, ensuring optimal performance.

Finally, in addition to these crucial software upgrades, JCP has upgraded its in-house hardware to better serve operational needs such as meetings and presentations. JCP’s newly redesigned conference room, with a built-in 65-inch flat screen monitor, is a helpful resource for professional staff and lay leaders and will save significant time in setting up videos, PowerPoint presentations, conference calls, and other needs.

“These technology upgrades have already made a noticeable impact,” noted Laura. “They enhance not only our internal processes, but also how donors, beneficiary organizations, and volunteers interact with us.”

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