Foundation News

As part of a series on how different organizations are shifting in light of COVID-19, Fortune interviewed Jamie Simon, Camp Tawonga’s Executive Director, in May. Simon shared Tawonga’s approach to reopening and plans for alternative programming.

Koret president, Dr. Michael Boskin, says support for higher education is vital. “Given this time of disruption and great uncertainty, we believe now is a critical time to invest in the next generation of talent, innovation and leadership.”

Distributed over five years, the grants will provide support for school leadership priorities, campus programs and initiatives, new models for learning, and campus technology and infrastructure.

Meeting critical community needs, Urban Adamah is now delivering fresh produce previously distributed through its weekly Farm Stand to several Berkeley congregations to help them meet the needs of their elderly members. It is also sharing its produce with local organizations like Consider the Homeless and the Ashby Community Garden for distribution.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the San Francisco YMCA has opened four free pop-up camps that serve 100 children of essential workers with jobs in hospitals, grocery stores, and the police.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has suggested that live performing arts and other cultural events were unlikely to return in full force for several months, presenting a long-term threat for arts and entertainment organizations. Art leaders are rethinking the offerings they provide to patrons. According to San Francisco Opera General Director Matthew Shilvock, “we are prepared to connect with our audiences in whatever creative ways we can – even if it’s all digital.”

With classes canceled and teaching labs empty, two Cal graduate students are using an idle biology lab to produce home-made hand sanitizer. Over the past four weeks, they have made 400 gallons of home brew to distribute to homeless shelters, senior centers, and nursing homes around the Bay Area.

“Diary from the Ashes,” a documentary by local filmmaker Yoav Potash, has been awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. A Koret supported project, the film focuses on the life of Rywka Lipszyc, a 14-year old Jewish Polish girl whose diary was discovered at Auschwitz.

As first responders to the COVID-19 outbreak, Jewish Family & Children’s Services continues to serve the community through urgent home health care, counseling, meal and grocery delivery, no-interest loans and grants for individuals, families, and small businesses, and calls to isolated community members. Requests for help are now at unprecedented levels.