- Emergency Funds: The Jewish Federation of Broward County’s board of directors recently approved a mammoth $1.525 million relief package. The COVID-19 Response Package consists of four tiers, starting with a combined $600,000 in emergency funding for several partner agencies—including $250,000 for Goodman Jewish Family Services, $70,000 for Broward Meals on Wheels, $25,000 for the Dorit & Ben J. Genet Cupboard and $25,000 for We Are One Food Pantry. Tiers 2, 3 and 4, respectively, consist of $500,000 to the Federation’s “Keystone Institutions” for carrying out their vital services and maintaining their facilities; $350,000 for program partners that will need assistance restarting those programs after the pandemic directives are lifted; and $75,000 for efforts to maximize available government and private foundation assistance for agencies, institutions and client groups.
- Two for One Cause: Jazwares owners Judd and Laura Zebersky turned to their innovative toy company and their namesake Family Charitable Fund to provide the Las Olas Chabad Jewish Center in Fort Lauderdale with a significant donation. Volunteers recently distributed more than 10,000 surgical masks and 1,000 toys—including the new “My Buddy Blippi”—during a drive-thru event at the Jewish Center. Sunrise-based Jazwares—a consumer products business (specializing in toys, action figures, collectibles and other licensed and wholly owned brands) that sells in more than 100 countries—has donated more than 75,000 masks to health-care professionals and first responders around the U.S.