Bringing comfort, care, and connection to our Jewish community across the Berkshires, in Israel, and around the world

PITTSFIELD – Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will host its annual Major Donors Celebration on Sunday, July 20 at 9:30 a.m., at Berkshire Hills Country Club.

"Our Major Donors are at the heart of everything we do and are vital partners in addressing critical needs — across the Berkshires, in Israel, and beyond. Their generosity, compassion, and leadership play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our community," says Federation President Arlene, Schiff. “We’re especially grateful to long-time supporters and event co-chairs Judy and Mark Usow, who bring a deeply meaningful and dedicated connection to our mission”

Alongside them, is an outstanding host committee of ardent Federation supporters who are helping to deepen relationships and share the vital impact of Federation’s work in nurturing and sustaining Jewish life in the Berkshires.

This special event is more than just a gathering — it’s a celebration of the powerful ways our Major Donors help strengthen Jewish life across the Berkshires. Whether you’re here for a few months in the summer or call this place home year-round, Federation’s work touches every corner of our community.

Coming together offers a rare opportunity for our leadership donors to connect, exchange ideas, and envision what’s possible when we invest in each other. In a small community like ours, the needs are just as real — and just as urgent — as in larger cities. But what makes the Berkshires unique is how deeply we rely on one another to meet those needs.

The investment our major donors make in this community help deliver essential services to our neighbors and friends — from compassionate care and social programs for our seniors to vibrant Jewish education for our children. It makes possible meaningful and life-changing experiences at Jewish summer camps, and transformative trips to Israel our teens, and young adults. It strengthens the safety and resilience of our congregations through vital security upgrades, assessments, and training. It empowers us to stand strong against antisemitism and advocate for our values. And it brings people of all ages together through programs that inspire Jewish identity, connection, and belonging.

We are honored to welcome State Senator John C. Velis, Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Special Commission on Combatting Antisemitism, as our guest speaker. Senator Velis will share insights into the Commission’s vital work and speak to the pressing need for a coordinated, statewide response to the alarming rise in antisemitism.

This event is open to Leadership Donors who make a gift of $1,000 or more to Federation’s 2025 annual campaign. Register by July 11 online at jewishberkshires.org/celebration, or call (413) 442-4360, ext.16 or email Kathi Todd at ktodd@jewishberkshires.org.

Berkshire Hills Country Club is located at 500 Benedict Road in Pittsfield.

Our Major Donors Celebration Co-Chairs – Mark and Judy Usow

In recent years, the chairs of the Major Donors Celebration have been drawn from the community of second-homeowners and retirees who contribute so generously to Jewish life in the Berkshires.

This year’s co-chairs, Judy and Dr. Mark Usow, bring a different perspective. As full-time residents, they raised their family and pursued their careers in the Berkshires while remaining deeply invested in the local Jewish community. As they put it, “Federation has been with us every step of the way.” In turn, Judy has stayed with Federation every step of the way, as well.

Over the past two decades, Judy has distinguished herself as a true Federation leader. She has served as president, interim president, treasurer, secretary, board member, and currently as one of three vice presidents on our Executive Board. Her leadership has helped shape the character and guide the direction of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires. As the daughter of Israeli parents, Judy honors her heritage through an unwavering commitment to Federation and to Jewish life.

Mark and Judy’s investment in the Berkshire Jewish community has remained unwavering as the area’s demographics and institutions have evolved. They chose to settle here after Mark completed his radiology training in New York City and their eldest daughter, Sophie, was just a toddler. Both Midwesterners—Mark from Milwaukee and Judy from Cleveland—they were deliberate in their search for a Jewishly engaged small-town community. “When you’re Jewish and from the Midwest,” Judy reflects, “if you think about moving to a small town, the first question you ask is, ‘Are there any Jews there?’ Because we heard that small, Midwestern towns were not always welcoming to Jewish families.”

Encouraged by a friend who owned a second home here, the Usows explored the Berkshires and were heartened to find both a Jewish community center and a thriving day school in Pittsfield, which then served students through the 5th grade. “We visited Sinai Academy and stayed to watch the Shabbat program” Judy remembers, “A room full of kids sat on the floor, watching and laughing at a Hebrew play. We were so impressed that the kids were so engaged and that they understood the Hebrew dialogue.”

Mark credits the day school and Knesset Israel Synagogue with creating the kind of deep bonds that defined their family’s Jewish life. “These were opportunities for kids — and parents — to really connect,” he says. Many of their closest friendships were forged during this time with other families raising Jewish children, all supported by Federation’s programs, including school, camp, and Israel experience scholarships.

As the community shifted and fewer young families remained, Judy’s continued involvement with Federation gave her a front-row seat to the organization’s remarkable ability to evolve and meet changing needs.

“What Federation has done exceptionally well in recent years,” says Judy, “is meet people where they are at in their lives — on their own Jewish journeys and in their stages of life. Federation is central to Jewish life in the Berkshires. Seniors benefit from kosher meals and communal lunches. Young families connect through PJ Library programs and can get to know one another at gatherings like Jewish Community Day, the summer concert, and the Chanukah menorah lighting. Children, teens, and young adults living in the Berkshires benefit from Federation’s support of their foundational Jewish learning and later their introduction to the wider Jewish world at summer camp and in Israel. And our whole community benefits from the high-quality programming that brings thought leaders, authors, artists, and so much more to our community year-round, both in-person and online.”

Mark underscores the critical role major donors play in sustaining this work, “In a small community like ours, where so many resources have been whittled away, Federation’s role becomes even more important and major donors have an outsized impact.” He adds that in uncertain times like these, Federation’s LiveSecure initiative with the Secure Community Network (SCN) is vital in ensuring the ongoing safety of this community and its institutions —and supporting it is essential.”

Judy adds that being a major donor isn’t just about financial contributions. “Our major donors are an incredible resource to this Federation. They contribute time, expertise, and leadership as volunteers and Board and committee members. Many come from larger Jewish communities and bring fresh ideas. I’ve had inciteful conversations with donors about what worked in their synagogues and their Federations. Their input has elevated our work and brought a level of professionalism that helps us do more with limited resources.”

As full-time residents, the Usows have seen both the joys and challenges of Jewish life in the Berkshires. At a Major Donors Celebration a few years back, Executive Director Dara Kaufman asked attendees to raise their hands if their summertime social lives in the Berkshires brought them in contact with many other Jews. A large majority of hands shot up. But, as she noted, the response would look very different if the question were asked of year-round Berkshire residents. Mark and Judy agree. As an example of what the reality of Jewish life can be like for families in the Berkshires, they point to the fact that their daughter Sophie was the only Jewish teen in her graduating class at Lenox Memorial High School.

As Mark and Judy begin to plan for their retirement in the Berkshires, their outlooks remain shaped by their experiences raising a family and pursuing careers. They hope younger families and professionals will find the same kinds of shared Jewish experiences that were so meaningful to them. They’re encouraged by the ways Federation continues to adapt, listen, and nurture new leaders who will become part of Federation’s future.

“I want Jewish kids to find each other and feel connected so they don’t feel alone,” says Judy. “Especially now, our kids need to know they have safe spaces to be Jewish and Federation provides that, both here in the Berkshires and by connecting them to the wider Jewish world.”

Mark concludes by saying that “our major donors make all this possible and Federation is indispensable to Jewish life in the Berkshires. We need to keep evolving so we can meet our community’s needs and respond to the challenges facing the Jewish world today.”

Thank You, Host Committee!

Federation extends heartfelt thanks to the dedicated members of our Major Donors Celebration Host Committee. Their leadership and partnership help bring our mission to life.

As event co-chair Judy Usow reflects, “I admire the way our past event chairs and current Host Committee members have come to truly understand the challenges facing the Jewish community - and Federation’s role in meeting those challenges. These leaders don’t just show up for our annual celebration –  they are deeply committed to building Jewish joy, connection, and resilience all year long.”

With gratitude, we recognize: