Letters To The Editor

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   Shefa

   To the editor:
   Thank you so much for mentioning the work of the Shefa Fund and its Tzedec project (“Shefa Fund Opens Its Doors” by Rita Lowenthal, December 12 - 18 issue). As you mentioned, the project is an innovative poverty alleviation strategy that has become a leading movement in the American Jewish community. Because of Shefa’s national presence and message, more than $11 million has been redirected into low-income communitity development organizations (CDFIs) from the Jewish community. We really appreciate Rita’s and the Mirror’s efforts on our behalf.
   There are two important distinctions I’d like to make.
   1. We are just beginning our work in Los Angeles. Although we are raising awareness and support for a local Tzedec Community Fund in LA, we are not actually at the point where we are able to accept investment dollars nor are we able to invest yet.
   The two CDFI’s that were mentioned in the article are two terrific organizations that exist within a universe of CDFI’s that Shefa is looking at. At the time we are ready to move forward with accepting investments from the Jewish community, an investment committee, along with Shefa staff, will determine which specific CDFIs will be the most effective and safe recipients for investments. The two CDFIs in the article may or may not be chosen at that time.
   2. As mentioned in the article, we have created a Los Angeles Tzedec Rabbinic Council which is a partnership effort to build awareness and involvement in the Los Angeles area Jewish community for this important initiative. We have fourteen Rabbis on the Council now including Rabbis Allen Freehling, Steven Carr Reuben and Neil Comess-Daniels. Rabbis Leonard Beerman, Jerry Goldstein, and Alan Henkin, are not currently on the Council. We intend to invite them, as we will all area Rabbis and would be very much be pleased if they agreed to join us. I have attached a current list of the Rabbis that are currently on our Council.
   Celia Bernstein
   West Coast Director
   The Shefa Fund