I'm an Igbo (Hebrew) Jew from Aba,Abia state in Igbo land. And I appreciate the work and philanthropic gesture that UJA Jewish federation does. I would like to state it out here categorically,that I would like to be assisted in studying Judaic studies in New York. I would be happy if such timely aid is given.
On 9/11 our lives were transformed, never to be the same again. Clearly, we were suffering from the depressive effects of what happened. Then the call came in from UJA-Federation, asking if my people could use some help. My immediate response was not only could they use help — I could use help as well. Teams of specialists came from different agencies supported by UJA to help us work through this experience. For the first time in my life, I was on the receiving end of UJA-Federation as opposed to the giving side. It was a truly different experience.
Last year, I became a Mikveh Guide through ImmerseNYC, a UJA beneficiary. Traditionally, females immerse in a mikveh, ritual bath, to purify themselves when finished menstruating. I felt compelled to become involved with ImmerseNYC due to my own discomfort with the mikveh process - it felt very cold, rigid, and awkward. ImmerseNYC embraces people of all backgrounds and truly strives to provide everyone with meaningful, comfortable immersion experiences, to mark any kind of life transition, in addition to traditional immersions. I was able to see how important my work is upon guiding truly meaningful immersions for both happy and painful transitions that people wanted to mark, and how cleansing the experience was for everyone involved. I'm so privileged and honored to be a part of such a welcoming organization, which fills such a gap in our community. This is one of the things I love most about Jewish New York - you can find anything and anyone you need.
This summer I had the privilege to intern at the UJA through the Collegiate Leadership Internship Program (CLIP) run through the Bronfman Center at NYU. When I was placed as an intern at UJA I was excited to reconnect with a community that had given me so much growing up. Throughout my middle/high school years I was involved with programming at my local NJ federation, sleep away camp-NJY camps, youth group, Israel programming, etc. I have always felt a strong connection to the Jewish community but I was unsure of how that could be transferable into my work experience. This summer I have explored what it means to be a Jewish professional and more specifically a young Jewish New Yorker.
I have the ability to motivate and to organize--using my own background to a very large degree: this is what happened to me. If not for UJA, I wouldn't be here today. *Comments taken from Oral History, recorded on March 18, 1986
Federation was sort of half born in our house. Every Saturday at lunch, we ate with my parents, and the about-to-be-executive heads of Federation almost always ate lunch with us on Saturdays. They discussed the problems that would be arising as they tried to set up Federation. So I felt as if it were born in our house. *Comments taken from Oral History, recorded on February 18, 1982
“You are truly a UJA success story,” is a phrase that I have heard my entire life. My parents met in the Inbal Hotel elevator on a UJA mission trip to Israel 30 years ago, and because of that, they will always be grateful for UJA’s work. Throughout my childhood, my parents have ingrained in my head the value of UJA’s mission and to “get involved.” Not exactly sure what that meant, as a young adult, I took matters into my own hands and tried to carry out these values. This past year I was a Shapiro Fellow and joined REX Next. And, in a professional context, the majority of my past internships and employment sites are at agencies which are funded by UJA. Looking back, it is clear that UJA’s work has impacted all aspects of my life: familial, personal and professional. The same way UJA has been there for me, UJA serves people in need, not just during times of crisis but in their everyday lives.
When my family started the plumbing company "Smolka Plumbing Company" over a century ago, their goal was to provide personalized customer service, satisfaction , quality, and distinctive products for the kitchen and bath. This goal became a reality and led the company to grow tremendously, serving clients such as The NY Mets, Empire State Building co. and other prominent organizations. Growing up in Eastern Europe, they never forgot where they came from and the struggles which had been placed upon them and the Jewish community as a whole through the early part of the 20th century. This led them to give back, through organizations such as UJA and help raise millions through their vast and grown network. Recently, my Great Aunt was the only family member alive from this generation and at this point in her life, she had run out of money to help pay her rent/aid. UJA heard, remembered how our family took care of them and helped my Aunt live out her days in peace. Thank you UJA!
When you give a nosh, you get to nosh. We’re SO excited to help UJA celebrate its centennial year! Our New York is better with this great Jewish community that helps those in need and supports a Jewish future. We look forward to the next 100 years!
I remember volunteering at UJA's Super Sunday Event in Manhattan with my students. What an inspiring day it was! I knew nothing about UJA prior to this day, but soon learned so much about how they provide support to millions around the world, both Jew and non-Jew.
I had to bring my son to the doctor one day. The doctor looked at our name and he said, "Where have I seen this name before?"
My daughter Amanda has developmental delays, so when she graduated high school at 21, I was really worried. I couldn’t see her being on her own or getting a job. Somebody mentioned family support groups at the JCC Manhattan. That’s when things began to change drastically. I found out about government programs that could help. The JCC helped us financially with classes and supported me emotionally. Amanda takes every class she can at the JCC and has lots of friends. We’re looking for an apartment for her, and I know she can get a job. She’s an amazing artist. And our story goes back even further. I emigrated from Ukraine in 1971. We were helped by JDC, NYANA, and HIAS. UJA has always been part of my life. It’s all connected.
