News:
Download the latest edition of the Jewish Community News. (March 2009: 2.8 MB- PDF)
Federation Campaign Events are scheduled for the following dates and locations. Make sure you attend one, they plan to be fun and informative events.
May 2, 2009 - Alton, IL
May 3, 2009 - Carbondale, IL
May 24, 2009 - Super Sunday Campaign Cleanup Phoneathon
The Federation has a new phone and fax number!
Phone: 618.235.1614
Fax: 618.235.1620
Federation Going Green! This year, the SiMoKy Federation has set a goal to save trees, cut expenses, and send more details of our programming using less paper and more technology (including this website, email, and telephone). If you are willing to get Federation information like the Jewish Community News, information about our programs, etc. via email, please contact Lilach Rish (618) 398-6100 or lilachrishfed@gmail.com.
Parents in our Federation with children between 6 months and 7 years should sign up for free monthly books and CDs through the PJ Library, paid for by our Federation, sponsored by The Harold Grinspoon Foundation.
Read a Letter of Introduction from Steve Low, and then either sign up online by clicking the PJ Library logo above, or fill out the SiMoKy Registration Card and send it to SiMoKy Federation, 3419 W. Main, Belleville, IL 62226.
A new story about the Jewish community in Cairo by NPR - "A New Face of Judaism in a Southern Illinois Town"
Our Israel Festival 2008 was covered by the Daily Egyptian the Southern Illinoisian, and WSIL-TV.
The jewel of the SiMoKy Federation crown is Camp Ben Frankel. This year, CBF runs from June 15 - July 7, 2008. The camp provides nearly 100 Jewish youth from all over the United States the opportunity to be together, learn about Judaism and have fun in a summer sleep-away camp environment.
If you are a parent or relative of one of the campers, several hundred photos are available to view at bunk1.com (approved login required).
The Jewish Federation of Southern Illinois, Southeast Missouri and Western Kentucky is located at 3419 West Main Street, Belleville, IL 62226 and is comprised of approximately one thousand men, women and children scattered over an area in excess of 40,000 square miles in three states.
There are five functioning synagogues all of which are lay led or served by rabbis on a part-time basis. The religious schools are staffed by lay principals and lay teachers and there is no community center.
The Federation is truly, therefore, the central address for our Jewish community and provides a wide variety of Jewish services and programs for our members consistent with the logistical limitations which exist.
For Families:
Jewish families of all backgrounds with children between the ages of 3 and 6 who wish to enhance their own family observances and practices may participate in the Our Jewish Home program. A Federation educator meets with the family in the comfort of their own homes four times a year to lead them in a variety of fun family holiday activities.
Each year we host family holiday programs. These include an annual Purim Party with hamantashen, costume contest and Megillah reading. In the fall we invite members to our Sukkot cookout. We build and decorate a Sukka, wave the lulav and etrog, enjoy a barbeque and enjoy other fun family activities such as apple picking.
From time to time, Federation professionals plan and lead special missions to Jewish communities in the U.S. or to Israel.
For Children:
The Federation provides consultative, curriculum planning and programming services for member congregations and their religious schools. Texts, audio-visual materials and software are available for use by our members. Special regional programs are sponsored and organized by the Federation.
The Federation operates Camp Ben Frankel, a three week Jewish educational experience for children in grades 1-10. This summer residential camp offers professionally directed Jewish social and educational programs with trained educators and counselors in a total Jewish living environment. Children are encouraged to participate in the Simoky youth group funded by the Federation and affiliated with NFTY, USY and BBYO. Subsidies are available to facilitate participation in regional and national conventions.
The Federation also provides grants and low or no interest loans to members' children to enable them to participate in approved Israel experience programs.
SKIP (Send a Kid to Israel Program) is a savings plan. Parents donate $150 annually which must be matched by their Temple or synagogue. Our Federation matches these donations and invests the funds which can be used by participants to attend an approved high school or college Israel trip.
For Adults:
The Federation funds and sponsors adult education and Jewish cultural programs in local communities, often in cooperation with Hillel, other Jewish agencies or local synagogues. Speakers and performers in a variety of Jewish fields are featured in these programs. The Jewish Federation also supports the life cycle needs of its members. Whether by providing holiday supplies such as Passover matzoh, or Hanukah menorah and candles or helping to locate a rabbi to officiate at a funeral or wedding or mohel to perform a bris, the Federation helps members meet their personal Jewish needs. The Federation also provides subsidies to enable members to attend Jewish conferences and conventions. The federation maintains memberships in the Central Agency for Jewish Education and the Holocaust Memorial and Learning Center located in St. Louis for the benefit of its members. As a result, Federation members have access to the materials and services available from these agencies.
Synagogues and Temples:
In every way possible the Federation seeks to support local communities in the successful operation of their synagogues and temples. Federation helps synagogues and temples to obtain the services of rabbis, cantors, educators and knowledgeable lay leaders. The Federation provides assistance in bar and bat mitzvah preparation. From time to time the Federation cosponsors or provides material, curriculum or personnel to assist area synagogues and Temples with programming. Emergency assistance is also provided to congregations and individuals.
Social Services:
Our communities have no Jewish social service agencies locally, but the Federation refers members to agencies in St. Louis including MERS (formerly the Jewish Vocational Service), the Jewish Family and Children's Service and the Cedars (formerly the Jewish Center for the Aged). Our members may obtain counseling, nursing home and other social services offered by these agencies on an equal basis with St. Louisans, Our Federation assesses applicants' needs, contacts the appropriate agency, makes the referral and, in some cases, assists with payment. The Federation also provides direct financial assistance to some individuals and families.