AMIT Women — Minnie Effress Chapter
4800 W. 27th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55416
952-212-8589
President: Betty Baumgarten
AMIT enables Israel’s youth to realize their potential and strengthens Israeli society by educating and nurturing children from diverse backgrounds within a framework of academic excellence, religious values and Zionist ideals. AMIT educates and cares for Israel’s youth, including the most vulnerable children in Israel. Founded in 1925, AMIT operates more than 60 schools, youth villages, surrogate family residences and other programs, constituting Israel’s only government-recognized network of religious Jewish education incorporating academic and technological studies.
B’nai B’rith North Central Region
801 Second Ave., 14th Floor
New York, NY 10017
212-490-3290
Fax: 212-687-3429
fieldoffice@bnaibrith.org
bnaibrith.org
B’nai B’rith is one of the largest Jewish organizations in the world. Our organization supports programs for our youth and senior populations as well as disaster relief showing Jewish humanism and tikkun olam.
BOND (Branching Out in New Directions)
bondtc.org
President: Saralee Mogilner, saraleem@comcast.net
For membership information, contact Marion Altrowitz, maltrow@comcast.net; or Babe Wartnick, babew42@icloud.com.
BOND is a nonprofit organization that raises money to provide scholarships for secondary education and workplace skills, partnering with Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis (JFCS) and Jewish Family Service of St. Paul (JFS). BOND’s fundraising activities provide educational and social experiences for our members. Members visit museums, attend lectures and cultural events, and participate in monthly short story and book club groups. BOND also organizes lunch and dinner groups. BOND’s largest fundraising event is our August Book Author event, with a luncheon and dinner featuring prominent authors. BOND members also volunteer in preschool education programs. BOND membership is open to everyone.
Center for Judaism and Sustainability of the Alliance for Sustainability
Alliance for Sustainability
In the Greenway Building
2801 21st Ave. S., Suite 100
Minneapolis, MN 55407
612-940-4939
terry@afors.org
afors.org
President: Terry Gips
We offer presentations, trainings and practical assistance for synagogues (clergy, administration, lay leaders, congregants and students) and Jewish schools and other institutions on Judaism and tikkun olam, Jewish environmental and sustainability teachings, eco-kashrut, addressing climate change and related topics, showing how we can save money, energy and the planet in keeping with Jewish teachings.
We can assist with informative, inspiring, interactive, fun and engaging education, action, policy, volunteering, programming (including Eco-Sabbath, Tu B’Shevat and holiday celebrations, along with personal sustainability and topics such as water stewardship, community solar gardens, energy conservation and local food systems) and development of sustainability and climate action plans with goals and metrics. The Alliance centers equity, health, sustainability and kindness in all its work.
It developed a collaborative, impactful response, the comprehensive S.H.E. Kindness Campaign (Sustainability, Health, Equity and Kindness). The Campaign is collaborating with a wide variety of groups to co-create a diverse, inclusive alliance of more than one million people and organizations working together for personal and organizational transformation and public policy shifts to generate strategic tipping points to achieve fundamental systems change.
Habitat for Humanity via Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC)
952-933-3169
frisc007@tc.umn.edu
Coordinator: Michael Frisch
The JCRC Friday Habitat Group works on projects for Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity and subgroup A Brush With Kindness each Friday throughout the year, mostly in Minneapolis and its suburbs. Under the auspices of the Jewish Community Relations Council, men and women come from synagogues and churches in the area to do light carpentry and home maintenance for Habitat, which provides knowledgeable and helpful supervisors as well as tools and building materials. New volunteers are always welcome.
Hadassah Minneapolis St. Paul
3645 Archer Lane North
Plymouth, MN 55446
952-905-6891
hadassahminneapolisstpaul@gmail.com
hadassah.org
President: Ardis Wexler
Hadassah Minneapolis St. Paul has programs and monthly activities that educate, stimulate, motivate and entertain its members and our community. Hadassah has something for everyone. We invite you to enjoy our monthly day and/or evening book groups, community cultural events group, craft co-op and walking group. We stress the fun in fundraising as we support our two major lifesaving research and healing centers in Jerusalem and our life-enriching youth villages in Israel. To learn more about our upcoming projects and events or membership opportunities, please call or email.
Jewish Veg—Twin Cities Pod
facebook.com/groups/jewishvegmsp
jewishvegmsp@gmail.com
Contact: Jon Novick, Host
Compassion. Connection. Celebration. We know how much vegans and ethical eaters love to meet and connect with each other, and that’s what Jewish Veg—Twin Cities is all about. From Jewish holiday celebrations and Shabbat dinners to VegFests and volunteering together at sanctuaries, come join us for fun and friendship.
Our purpose is to move toward a healthy, compassionate and sustainable world by inspiring hearts and minds.
Our vision is a future where the Jewish community embraces plant-based lifestyles
as an expression of the Jewish values of compassion for animals, care for our health and concern for the environment.
Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis (JFCS) — J-Pride
952-417-2122
hwengersky@jfcsmpls.org
Contact: Hunter Wengersky (they/them)
J-Pride, a program of JFCS, works to create community for LGBTQ+ Jews and their allies throughout the Twin Cities through queer-focused social, ritual and educational Jewish program opportunities. In addition, J-Pride offers consultation and training to Jewish organizations and synagogues to help ensure that LGBTQ+ community members feel welcome to participate as their whole authentic selves. For information on upcoming events and offerings, find J-Pride on Facebook and Instagram at JPrideMN and on Meetup.
JFCS — NextGen Program
952-417-2124
mknopf@jfcsmpls.org
JFCS’ NextGen program serves Jewish young adults ages 21-36 who are living in the Twin Cities. It provides participants with social engagements and programs, as well as volunteering and leadership opportunities. NextGen operates through a board of volunteers who serve as ambassadors of JFCS and help plan and implement NextGen events throughout the year.
Jewish War Veterans — Department of Minnesota
c/o Minnesota JCC
1375 St. Paul Ave., Room 107
St. Paul, MN 55116
mnjwv.org
facebook.com/JewishWarVeteransofMN
Post Commander, #354: Stuart Mednick, 651-895-5122
Quartermaster, Post #354 and Department Quartermaster: Jeff Marks, 651-955-3873
Post Commander, #331 (Minneapolis): Ben Weisbuch
Post Commander, #162: Peter Glick, 651-698-7840
Quartermaster, Post #162: Jim Hassing, 651-699-6081
Department Commander: Lou Michaels, louthephotoguy@gmail.com, 651-489-8006
Auxiliary President: Renee Kvasnik, 651-690-2327
Auxiliary Vice President: Tamara S. Michaels, 763-250-8333
Chief of Staff for the Department of Minnesota: Stu Sonnee, 651-238-1361
National Judge Advocate for the Jewish War Veteran of the USA: Peter Nickitas, 651-238-3445
Chaplain for the Department of Minnesota: Carl Renalls, 651-458-9411
Founded in 1896 to show that Jewish service members were as American as they were Jewish, the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America (JWV) remains the only veterans’ organization that explicitly opposes all forms of bigotry in its founding charter and current constitution. The JWV Department of Minnesota was founded after World War I with the creation of Posts #162 and #166. Membership is limited to Jewish veterans. Associate membership is open to the entire Jewish community. JWV has a monthly meeting every second Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the St. Paul JCC. The JWV makes monthly visitation at the VA medical center on the fourth Sunday of each month from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and participates in communitywide observances of Veterans Day and Memorial Day. The JWV has its annual dinner at Mancini’s Restaurant in St. Paul on the second Wednesday after the end of the High Holidays.
MAZON Advocacy Project: Minnesota
10500 Hillside Ln. W.
Minnetonka, MN 55305
952-545-2424
mazon.org
Contacts: Steve Krikava, spkrikava@msn.com; or Rabbi Harold Kravitz, hjkrav@gmail.com
The MAZON Advocacy Project: Minnesota collaborates with synagogues, legislators and allies to support public policies that enhance food security for all people. During 2015, Rabbi Harold Kravitz, of Adath Jeshurun Congregation, completed a three-year term as chair of the board of MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, which is the national nonprofit dedicated to preventing and alleviating hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds.
Moishe House Twin Cities
Moho Pod Twin Cities — East Harriet
Current Residents: Craig Wasserman, Leigh Furman
mohopodtwincities@gmail.com
Facebook: Moho Pod Twin Cities
Moho Pod Twin Cities — Longfellow
Current Residents: Aaron Josephs, Carli Poisson
moishepodlongfellow@gmail.com
Facebook: MoPoLongfellow
Moishe House is a grassroots organization that provides space for young adults ages 22-32 to create meaningful, welcoming Jewish communities for themselves and their peers. We have monthly Shabbat dinners, regular happy hour socials, game nights and other exciting events. Connect with us on Facebook to stay updated.
National Council of Jewish Women — Minnesota
5905 Golden Valley Road, Suite 1
Golden Valley, MN 55422
952-922-7900
info@ncjwmn.org
ncjwmn.org
President: Esther Goldberg-Davis
Interim Executive Director: Judith Kahn
NCJW is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children and families, and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. NCJW Minnesota works to build equity through community service initiatives. We build justice through policy advocacy, and we empower women and allies to lead for social change.
Or Emet — Social Justice/Social Action
952-469-4760
oremet.org
Chairpersons: Howard Schneider, Gwyn Leder
Or Emet’s Social Justice/Social Action Committee (SJ/SA) is led by co-chairs and a core planning group; any member can bring forward an SJ/SA concern. The committee 1) plans events for our congregation and partners with other organizations such as collecting personal care items for Listening House clients, volunteering at Second Harvest’s food bank and engaging in campaigns around pressing local, state and national issues; 2) disseminates information about issues by planning adult programs and delivering emails, Facebook and newsletter postings; and 3) recommends taking congregationwide positions that may be followed with financial support, educational programming and/or civic engagement.
Twin Cities Cardozo Society
Minneapolis Contact: Tslil Shtulsaft, tshtulsaft@jewishminneapolis.org
St. Paul Contact: David Kaplan, dkaplan@stpaulfed.org
jewishtwincities.org
The Twin Cities Cardozo Society, an affinity group of the Minneapolis and St. Paul Jewish Federations, is a place for Jewish attorneys, judges and law students to network and serve the community. We strengthen bonds among legal professionals through educational, social and philanthropic activities and offer opportunities for communal involvement and leadership.
Twin Cities Maimonides Society
Minneapolis Contact: Tslil Shtulsaft, tshtulsaft@jewishminneapolis.org
St. Paul Contact: David Kaplan, dkaplan@stpaulfed.org
jewishtwincities.org
Twin Cities Maimonides Society, an affinity group of the Minneapolis and St. Paul Jewish Federations, is a place for Jewish health care professionals — people dedicated to healing the sick and committed to the notion of tikkun olam (repairing the world). This dynamic group participates in a wide range of activities, including networking and socializing, educational opportunities, volunteerism and Jewish communal involvement.
(For corrections or updates, email community@ajwnews.com)
