There is Something You Can Do To Protect the Vulnerable

JFN Executive Vice President Rabbi Rebecca Sirbu makes a powerful case in eJewish Philanthropy for why Jewish funders must act now to strengthen the safety net for economically vulnerable Jews. Nearly one in three Jews in the U.S. is struggling to make ends meet, and as government funding for social services shrinks, the pressure on Jewish human service agencies is growing. Stepping up isn’t just a moral obligation rooted in Jewish tradition, it’s also a vital strategy for building communal resilience and countering antisemitism.

Read the piece to learn what actions funders can take this High Holiday season and beyond.

Bring this message to the spiritual leaders in your community. Click here to receive our new High Holiday Guide, “Inscribed Together,” created by TEN: Together Ending Need, with texts, commentary, and sermon suggestions on Jewish economic vulnerability.

In the newest episode of What Gives? The Jewish Philanthropy Podcast, JFN CEO Andrés Spokoiny speaks with Shai Held, President and Dean of the Hadar Institute and author of the new book Judaism Is About Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life. Shai returns for his second appearance on this podcast to talk about the enduring caricature of the “Old Testament God,” and how that distortion has shaped both Jewish and Christian imaginations.

Shai and Andrés explore why many rabbis feel ill-equipped to support spiritual seekers, how the trauma of October 7 has intensified theological yearning, and what role funders can play in revitalizing Jewish conversations about God. You’ll hear why Shai believes that real love, the kind rooted in justice, compassion, and mutual responsibility, is the most powerful force we can bring to a fractured world.

Take a listen.

Nominations and applications are open for the 2026 Ilia Salita Excellence in Research Award (ERA). The ERA recognizes and highlights research projects that can impact Jewish life in a direct and positive way. See updated eligibility criteria for this year's awardhere.

Click here to nominate a worthy research project.

The deadline for submitting nominations for this award is Monday, August 18, 2025 at 5 p.m. ET, and applications will close the following week on Monday, August 25, 2025 at 5 p.m. ET. The winner will be announced at the JFN 2026 International Conference, which takes place March 15-17, 2026 in San Diego, California.

Be sure to spread the word among your friends and colleagues and nominate a worthy research project today.