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Federation has grants, loans,
scholarships for birth-college Krembo Wings
Lakiya branch serves
The Jewish Federation of Greater Portland offers the region's Bedoin
several grant and scholarship opportunities for young community with fund-
people from preschoolers through college. ing provided by the
“Early experiences are pivotal in creating Jewish Jewish Federation of
identity,” says Rachel Nelson, JFGP Director of Edu- Greater Portland.
cational Initiatives & Associate Director of Communi-
ty Relations. “We want to help foster those experienc-
es. The Federation is proud to provide many different
opportunities for engagement in programs for young KREMBO WINGS (continued from page 4)
families through college.”
Nelson manages the following programs and invites sexual assault, Ethiopian Israelis, chil- leading team and adult coordinator
people to contact her with any questions at 503-892- dren with disabilities, LGBTQ people were trained, with peer counselors
7415 or rachel@jewishportland.org. and Israeli Arab citizens. receiving training in early fall.
PJ Library, jewishportland.org/pjlibrary: The gift For 20 years, Krembo Wings has “We are also thrilled to share that the
of high-quality Jewish children’s books and local area opened doors to children with severe Lakiya branch currently has 102 par-
programs; as funding is available. to moderate disabilities, who once ticipants, including 16 participants
Jewish Right Start, jewishportland.org/rightstart: had no place in Israel’s youth move- with disabilities who come from the
Funding to support families choosing Jewish pre- ment network. Krembo Wings oper- neighboring village of Al Salam,”
school for the first time; as funding is available. ates 78 branches throughout Israel reads the mid-year report to the OSP.
One Happy Camper, onehappycamper.org: Grants that each week welcome over 7,000 “We know that bringing our empow-
for first-time Jewish overnight campers; as funding is young people with and without dis- ering activities to Israel’s peripheral
available. abilities ages 7-22 from all cultural, populations provides an opportunity
Youth Group Convention Funding, jewishportland. religious and socio-economic back- for the growth and change of entire
org/youthgroups: Funding for Youth Group regional and grounds, who often have no opportu- communities.”
national conventions; as funding is available. nity for social interaction outside of The funds necessary for the oper-
Chai Israel, jewishportland.org/travelisrael: Two op- the formal education system. ations of the Krembo Wings Lakiya
portunities for grants for teens to travel to Israel – once Lakiya is a Bedouin-populated desert branch come largely from the Jewish
for a high school experience and once for a gap year village located in the south of Israel Federation of Greater Portland and
experience, March 1. with a population of 13,000. Krembo the national government.
Sussman Fund, jewishportland.org/sussman: Scholar- Wings launched the Lakiya branch in The report concludes: “On behalf
ships for those attending a U.S.-based college, March 1. September 2020 in the midst of Isra- of the Krembo Wings Lakiya branch
In addition to grants and scholarships, Federation of- el’s second Covid lockdown. participants, their families and the
fers interest-free loans that can be used to offset costs In its mid-year report to the OSP, movement’s entire staff, we would
of camps, schools, travel and more. Krembo Wings reported that with like to thank the Jewish Federation of
Jewish Free Loan, jewishportland.org/freeloan: Covid lockdowns, it was unable to Portland for its continued contribu-
Loans of up to $5,000 to Jewish residents of Oregon provide computers to all participants, tion and support of the branch, which
and SW Washington. The interest-free loans require so most meetings were for peer provides children and youth with
two cosigners with repayment over three years. Appli- counselors and coordinators. How- and without disabilities empowering
cation-to-approval can take a few weeks. Loans up to ever, the branch returned to regular social and educational activities and
$1,000 for people directly impacted by Covid-19 do twice-weekly meetings in mid-March offers surrounding communities a vi-
not require a cosigner, and take just one to a few days. last year. In August, the branch’s sion of true inclusion.”

Chabad families recharge to offer resources to Oregon, Washington communities

On Feb. 13, 15 Chabad families gathered at a park in Tigard for a including Ashland, Eugene, Bend, Salem, Hillsboro, Tigard, Port-
day of strengthening each other and to discuss ways to continue to land Young Professionals, Everything Jewish, Southwest Portland,
extend physical and spiritual goodness and kindness to the com- Northeast Portland, Southeast Portland, Lake Oswego, Gresham
munities they live in. The families came from Chabad programs and Southwest Washington.
16 Jewish Review Feb. 16, 2022