ABOUT US

Our Mission

The Jewish Women’s Foundation of the Berkshires, in the spirit of Tikkun Olam, is dedicated to addressing critical needs in the Berkshire community and supporting social action to create a more just and equitable society.

Through grant funding and member engagement we pursue our mission to empower and strengthen organizations working to improve the lives of our most vulnerable neighbors.

Why is This Our Mission?
Berkshire County is one of the poorest counties in Massachusetts. Too many of our neighbors experience food insecurity and cannot pay for adequate fuel in winter. Berkshire residents also lag in health outcomes and length of life compared to those in the rest of the Commonwealth.

How Do We Fulfill Our Mission?  
We give back by

• Awarding grants to Berkshire organizations that address basic needs, promote self-sufficiency, and empower youth and young adults.
• Supporting additional community needs, including camp scholarships, food and fuel assistance, early childhood programs, dignity and hygiene initiatives, and emergency relief.
• Partnering with the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires to support programs locally and in Afula-Gilboa, our partnership region in Israel.
• Bringing members together for hands-on community service, educational programs, and meaningful engagement with the organizations we support.

Welcome to our CHAI YEAR
For 18 years, JWF women have come together to turn generosity into meaningful change across the Berkshires. Our new anniversary logo celebrates that remarkable journey - and the momentum we're carrying into the future.

Take a look at our new Chai-year flyer for a snapshot of JWF's impact, our 18-year milestone, and the many ways we continue moving forward by giving back.

Our History
Under the leadership of Jane Glaser, JWF was started in 2009 by a small group of women moved by the needs in the Berkshire community. Collaborating with the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, our founders realized that they could help support some of Federation’s programs and also create new programs beneficial to the Berkshire community at large. As our membership grew, we established a Grants Program to solicit and review grant applications and recommend allocation of funds.

Our Leadership
 

Our Board Leadership for 2026-27
 

Co-Presidents: Geri Liemer and Carol Striker
Secretary: Sherry Londe
Immediate Past Presidents: Phyllis Cohen and Robin Weiser
Communications & PR Committee Co-Chairs: Elisa Schindler Frankel and Susan Friedman
Curiosity, Culture & Conversation Committee Co-Chairs: Esther Messing and Anne Schnesel
Grants Committee Co-Chairs: Wendy Jennis and Jodi Nussbaum
Membership Committee Co-Chairs: Leslie Chesloff and Pam Kurtzer
Steering Committee Co-Chairs: Ann Falchuk and Paula Stein
Board Members: Jane Glaser, Tina Kramer, Linda Noonan and Hope Silverman
Federation Liaison: Audrey Weiner
Ex-Officio Past Presidents: Bobbi Cohn, Liz Jaffe, Marilyn Katzman, Elaine Silberstein and Shirley Yohalem
 

Back to Top

OUR GRANTS

Established in 2009, JWF, under the auspices of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, has since granted a total of more than $500,000 to community organizations.

2026-2027 FUNDED GRANTEES
This year, JWF awarded 30 grants totaling $150,229 to local nonprofit organizations supporting Basic Needs, Self-Sufficiency and Youth Empowerment.
 

Addressing Basic Needs
 

AYJ Smiles - Aims to relieve the financial impact of a childhood cancer diagnosis by helping families with essential expenses, including medical care, travel, housing, utilities and food.

Berkshire Agricultural Ventures - Provides a $1-for-$1 SNAP match of up to $30 at Berkshire-area farmers markets, increasing access to fresh local food while supporting local farmers.

Berkshire Bounty - Provides nutritious food to local food distribution organizations to help address food insecurity throughout Berkshire County.

Berkshire Community Action Council, Inc. - Provides essential winter clothing - including coats, boots, hats, mittens and gloves - to children in need throughout Berkshire County.

Berkshire Community Diaper Project - Provides diapers to low- and moderate-income families through partner agencies throughout the Berkshires.

Berkshire Grown - Supports access to locally grown food while strengthening the local agricultural economy. Its Share the Bounty program purchases CSA shares for distribution through local food pantries.

Berkshire Pride - Provides low-barrier, trauma-informed support for marginalized youth through food access, mentorship, educational enrichment, wellness resources and community connection.

Berkshire South Regional Community Center - Provides a free weekly community supper to address food insecurity while building community and offering workforce training opportunities.

Construct - Provides affordable housing and supportive services throughout the southern Berkshires. JWF funding supports transportation for women living in transitional housing.

Greenagers - Engages teens and young adults in environmental conservation, sustainable agriculture and food justice while helping increase access to locally grown food.

Pediatric Development Center - Provides early intervention, family support, education and therapeutic services to infants and toddlers with developmental concerns.

People's Pantry - Provides healthy, locally sourced food to Berkshire residents experiencing food insecurity.

Pittsfield Community Food Pantry - Provides emergency food assistance, including fresh milk, to community members experiencing food insecurity.

Roots and Dreams & Mustard Seeds - Supports low-income Pittsfield residents through Mercado de Vida, an immigrant-led food pantry providing fresh and culturally appropriate food.

Roots Rising - Empowers youth through food and farming while increasing access to fresh food through the Pittsfield Farmers Market and related programs.

The Guthrie Center - Provides community outreach programs including a free weekly community lunch and free legal clinic.

Self-Sufficiency
 

18 Degrees - Its EMPath program helps under-resourced families work toward long-term self-sufficiency.

Berkshire Nursing Families - Provides free childbirth education and connects families with lactation, infant-feeding and perinatal mental-health services.

Blue Rider Stables - Provides therapeutic and educational experiences through interaction with horses.

Community Legal Aid - Provides free civil legal services to individuals and families who otherwise could not afford representation.

Elizabeth Freeman Center - Provides services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Its Money School initiative supports financial independence and stability.

Literacy Volunteers - Provides free, confidential, individual literacy instruction to adults throughout Berkshire County.

Literacy Network - Provides free one-to-one English-language tutoring and assistance with employment-related needs.

RFK Community Alliance - Provides one-to-one mentoring and support for youth and young adults affected by commercial sexual exploitation.

UCP of Western Massachusetts - Supports people with disabilities in achieving greater independence, productivity and inclusion in the community.

Volunteers in Medicine - Provides free comprehensive health care to Berkshire adults who do not qualify for government-supported health insurance and supports immigrant and refugee patients through its Path to Citizenship program.

Youth Empowerment
 

Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative - Creates educational, workforce and production opportunities in film and media throughout Western Massachusetts.

Berkshire HorseWorks - Uses therapeutic interaction with horses to help participants develop tools to cope, heal and thrive.

Flying Cloud Institute - Provides science and arts programming in schools and community settings while working to reduce barriers to participation for underserved and immigrant youth.

Railroad Street Youth Project - Provides mentoring and community support designed to expand opportunities and strengthen connections for young people.

GRANT TESTIMONIALS

Berkshire Agricultural Ventures

“We are grateful to your organization for funding this important program that addresses food insecurity in the Berkshires through SNAP matching at local farmers markets. Your generosity is thus being put to good and immediate use!”

— Rebecca Busansky, Executive Director
 

Railroad Street Youth Project

“We are deeply grateful for the Jewish Women’s Foundation of the Berkshires’ investment in young people and for your commitment to helping them develop confidence, connection, and the skills they need to navigate the transition to adulthood.”

— Ananda Timpane, Executive Director
 

Greenagers

“Your generosity helps us further our mission to connect young people with their community, food and farming, and the great outdoors in hands-on, meaningful ways.”

— Will Conklin, Executive Director
 

UCP of Western Massachusetts

“Our members build friendships, discover new abilities, gain confidence, and experience the pride and joy of greater independence.”

— Randy Kinnas, Chief Executive Officer
 

Literacy Network

“Many of our learners continue to find new and better-paid employment and feel more established in our community.”

— Leigh Doherty, Executive Director
 

Berkshire HorseWorks

RanchLife 101 helps Pittsfield youth strengthen communication, problem-solving, teamwork, empathy, mindfulness, and emotional awareness through hands-on work with rescued horses.

FEDERATION ALLOCATIONS
JWF is proud to collaborate with the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires in supporting programs locally and in Afula-Gilboa, our partnership region in Israel.
 

Afula-Gilboa, Israel

• Haifa Rape Crisis Center - Afula Branch
• Ethiopian National Project SPACE Program - empowering and educating mothers and children
• Merhav Neshima BaEmek - A Space for All - therapeutic support for veterans and families coping with PTSD
• B'emeitav - Resilience and Relief for Community Emergency Teams
   

Berkshire County

• Changemakers for Good - a school-based program that engages local students in learning about empathy, inclusion and positive community action.

ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Moving forward by giving back.
In addition to our annual grants, JWF provides support for community needs including fuel assistance, food pantries, the Hevreh Early Childhood Program, Dignity Grows, and emergency relief as needs arise.

Back to Top

JOIN US

JWF is a community of women who come together to make a meaningful difference in the Berkshires through philanthropy, hands-on involvement and connection with one another.

An annual membership contribution of $750 helps support JWF grants and other community needs while giving members opportunities to learn, volunteer, attend programs and build relationships with like-minded women.

There are many ways to be involved, whether through grants review, community projects, special programs, membership activities or simply by supporting the work of JWF.

We welcome women who want to connect, contribute and help strengthen our community.

Want to Get Involved?

There are many opportunities to become involved both within JWF and in the organizations JWF supports through our grants program.

• Events Committee
• Grants Committee
• Membership Committee
• Publicity Committee
• Volunteer Committee

To learn more, contact [email protected] and you will be contacted by the appropriate Committee Chair.

NEWS

More events being planned during the off season! If you are a full-timer or close-to-full-timer please reach out to Pam at [email protected] to be included. Suggestions invited.

The JWF is looking to amplify its mission by educating not only members of the Jewish community but also the broader Berkshires community to the impact of its commitment to “Tikkun Olam” - Repairing the World.  To this end JWF reaches out with its story of engagement and philanthropy, both through participation in nonprofit and funder organizations, and through the media. The article here, published in the October/November Jewish Voice, not only lists JWF’s grants for 2026, but also describes the multiplicity of efforts in which JWF engages to directly assist Berkshires residents in need. Press releases encouraging publication of this article and others have also been sent to a comprehensive media list of more than 25 local media outlets.   The connections and communication that JWF has fostered with its local nonprofit partners and through them to their clients tangibly demonstrates the value which the Berkshire Jewish community adds to life in the Berkshires, particularly for the most vulnerable.  JWF's long cultivated relationships with nonprofit community leaders promote mutual respect and understanding key to a civil society.  JWF believes that this is needed in today's climate more than ever before. 

The JWF recently became a member of the Non-Profit Center (NPC)of the Berkshires. JWF is looking for partnerships with other area funders to maximize the impact of its grants and volunteer initiatives, and to extend its reach to more fully support its local grantees and the communities they serve. In late October JWF's Co-President Geri Liemer attended the NPC Resource Fair representing JWF and joined other area funders on the NPC's Berkshire Funders Panel learning from the non profits who attended what their most pressing needs are during these financially challenging times and sharing with them opportunities through JWF to assist them in their work.

PAST EVENTS

Midwinter Potluck
Sunday, December 14, 2025
We gathered midwinter to enjoy a fabulous potluck luncheon - simply because we enjoy being together.

New Member Coffee
May 29, 2026
Pommy Levy graciously hosted our New Member Coffee in Stockbridge, where prospective members had the opportunity to meet and mingle with JWF's founder, co-presidents, membership chairs, committee chairs and other members.

We were delighted to welcome 29 new, like-minded women into the JWF family.

Spring Fling
June 11, 2026 - Wyantenuck Country Club
Our Spring Fling, chaired by Jane Glaser and Sherry Londe, was held at Wyantenuck Country Club and featured JWF member Laura Urken and Broadway talent Seth Rudetsky.

Guests mingled, dined and enjoyed a fabulous show while raising funds to support JWF grants. It was a wonderful evening of friendship, entertainment and philanthropy.

Annual Luncheon & Grantee Day
June 25, 2026 - Country Club of Pittsfield
Our sold-out Annual Luncheon this year also incorporated our Grantee Day, bringing JWF members and grantees together for a meaningful afternoon of connection and learning.

Members had the opportunity to hear firsthand about the impact of JWF grants in our community and to learn about ways to volunteer in areas of personal interest.

We also welcomed newly elected members to the JWF Board.

Game Day
July 17, 2026 - Country Club of Pittsfield

Marian Faytell and Tina Kramer chaired our always-popular Game Day. Members and friends enjoyed lunch and their favorite games while raising funds for JWF's emergency relief efforts.

State Representative Leigh Davis and EMT Kevin Walls spoke about the critical need for crisis funding in Berkshire County and the important role these funds play in helping our neighbors when unexpected needs arise.

The Reverend and the Rabbi
July 27, 2026 - The Guthrie Center
Esther Messing and Anne Schnesel chaired an informative program featuring Avi Dresner, who shared the story of his father, Rabbi Israel Dresner, and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the relationship they forged during the Civil Rights Movement.

Our thanks to The Guthrie Center for generously donating the venue.

JWF Hiking
Summer 2026
Led by Dina Leyden and Tina Kramer, JWF members enjoyed a series of five hikes over the summer, exploring some of the beautiful trails of the Berkshires while spending time together outdoors.

Trivia Night
September 3, 2026 - The Locker Room, Lee
JWF members and guests gathered for a lively evening of dinner, wine and friendly competition. Teams put their knowledge to the test, enjoyed plenty of laughs and competed for prizes throughout the evening.

Social Action Packing Event
Fall Social Action
Sunday, October 4, 2026
JWF members and friends joined together to pack food for United Way and Berkshire Bounty to be distributed to community food pantries.

We also packed bags for Dignity Grows, supplying much-needed feminine products for women in need.

TESTIMONIALS

Dear Geri, Carol, Carol, and Deb,
Larry and I want to thank you for creating one of the most meaningful and inspiring community events we’ve experienced with JWF. Game Day was elevated to a whole new level thanks to your vision, your heart , and the powerful presence of Camp Kimama Halfmoon. Camp Director Yael Skikne, who so beautifully articulated the camp’s mission, shared its profound impact, and spoke movingly about the healing power of summer camp—especially for Israeli children still recovering from the trauma of October 7—was truly the heart of the day. To hear how this initiative allows children to simply be children again was deeply moving. It was a joy to learn that more than 50 kids are able to be here in Monterey this summer—and so impressive that an additional $4,500 was raised through your efforts. Having both Yael and COO Alon Parmet with us made the day feel not only purposeful, but deeply personal. It was joyous to sing the HaMotzi camp-style. Thank you for your leadership, your love, and your ability to turn a game day into something unforgettable.
– With admiration and gratitude, Elisa & Larry

“I’m so inspired by JWF’s grants. The needs are so great, I feel it’s incumbent upon each of us to do whatever we can to help alleviate problems facing so many in our community.
– Pat Fingeroth

“Joining the Jewish Women’s Foundation of the Berkshires has added another wonderful dimension to my life in the Berkshires. It has given me an opportunity to give back to this magical community. I feel it is truly a gift to be a member of the Foundation. To be able to be a part of all the important work it does for so many people.”
– Pommy Levy

“I’m proud to be a charter member of the Jewish Women’s Foundation of the Berkshires as we’ve done so much to help our less fortunate neighbors in both the Jewish and greater communities. Most people think of this area as one of arts and culture without realizing that it is actually one of the poorest in the region.  Helping to combat food and housing insecurity, promoting education, empowering women, as well as caring for Jewish youth and seniors represent a small sampling of what we’ve accomplished. Working with other bright and caring women towards tikkun olam is one of the most gratifying experiences ever.”
- Bobbi Cohn

 “As a privileged second homeowner who enjoys all the cultural and social blessings of the Berkshires, I was unaware and ignorant of the financial and emotional stresses that many residents face in their daily lives. Only after I volunteered at the Muddy Brook School’s tutoring program and joined the Jewish Women’s Foundation Grants Committee did I become cognizant of the needs of people in the community who are struggling and are largely invisible to us.  They are experiencing food insecurity, employment instability, a deficit of skills and resources to help them cope with huge ongoing pressures, made more acute during this pandemic period.”
- Elaine Cohen

“I found that packing boxes for Meals of Hope so personally rewarding - I couldn’t stop smiling when I left. This organization is so focused on its goals - I think most people are unaware of the level of poverty in this area. Kudos to our organizers.” 
- Sue Sussman

CONTACT US

196 South Street Pittsfield, MA 01201
phone: 413-442-4360
email: [email protected]

Follow us on FACEBOOK