Ben’s NPJTF Fundraising 2017-2018

You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abstain from it. - (Pirke Avot 2:21)

This year I have the opportunity to be apart of the 2017 - 2018 Board of the North Peninsula Jewish Teen Foundation. We are a 16-year old program branched out of the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund, including a board of 24 teens. We research problems that affect the world and help Jewish and secular non-profit organizations using Jewish principles to help find the best way we can make a difference through our granting. I am extremely involved and invested into this work and the chance to help provide people in unfair situations a way out into a fair and safe life.

This year our mission is to fund organizations that promote social change by protecting the environment and responding to the needs of people affected by environmental problems locally globally and in Israel. I've learned that:

• Hurricane Harvey has caused $180 billion in damage. That’s more than any other natural disaster in U.S. history affecting 13 million people from Texas through Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Kentucky.
• Diversion of 96% of the freshwater in the Jordan River in Israel, and the discharge of large quantities of untreated sewage is irreversibly damaging the Jordan River Valley.
• In Sonoma County, the recent wildfires destroyed 6,600 structures, including 1,500 homes and 600 businesses and secondary buildings, sheds and barns, all in the Rincon Valley, Mark West, and Larkfield-Wikiup area.

The NPJTF‘s work, aided by you, will indeed make a difference and touch numerous lives. Thank you for your important contribution and the NPJTF Board and I am grateful for your donation.