09/18/2026
Silver Circle Donors Discuss Connections
Photo by Liza Summer
Article reprinted with permission from Cleveland Jewish News
by Casey Swinarski
Jewish Cleveland has never fallen short when it comes to tzedakah, and for some community members, that charity has become more than just an annual donation.
The Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s 2027 Campaign for Jewish Needs is well underway, having raised a record $1,806,901 million at its Super Sunday kickoff on Aug. 30.
As the campaign trails on, the Cleveland Jewish News tapped into the Federation’s Silver Circle – individuals who have donated to the Campaign for Jewish Needs for 25 years or more – to learn what motivates them to continue giving, year after year.
Name: Rabbi Joshua Caruso
Caruso
Age: 57
Synagogue: Congregation Mishkan Or
Role in the community: Senior Rabbi at Congregation Mishkan Or
How many years they have been giving: 25 years
Why do you give, and why do you continue to give? I give because I care deeply about the Jewish community locally, in Israel, and the world at large. I am passionate about Jewish education, culture, safety, well-being, families, and social impact. I continue to give because I have personally seen with my congregants how the Jewish Federation of Cleveland enriches and supports the local Jewish community.
What does the Campaign for Jewish Needs mean to you personally? The Campaign for Jewish Needs aligns with my dedication to making the world a better place. I deeply admire the Federation and the services provided to Jewish people here and across the globe.
What Jewish value does donating to the campaign year after year instill in you? Donating to the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland connects to a number of personal Jewish values: Tikkun Olam, the Jewish ethic of repairing the world, and Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh ba-Zeh, the importance for Jews to care for one another.
Name: Lynne Cohen
Cohen
Synagogue: B’nai Jeshurun Congregation
Role in this community: 2027-28 General Campaign Chair, Jewish Federation of Cleveland
How many years giving: 30+
Why do I give and continue to give: I give because I believe in taking care of one another and every gift helps ensure vital programs and services continue to strengthen Jewish Cleveland, support Israel and care for those in need around the world.
What impact has the Campaign for Jewish needs had on my family personally: The campaign for Jewish needs has allowed my Dad to live independently in his home with the support of caregivers from JFSA. In addition, my children participated in many programs growing up such as The Saltzman Youth Panel, IC Next, Birthright, Onward and many more. This solid foundation allowed each of them to pursue their own Jewish journey as young adults.
What Jewish value does donating to the campaign year after year instill in you: Donating to the campaign year after year instills in me that we are one big Jewish family and that it is our responsibility to take care of one another year after year.
Name: Josh Kramer
Kramer
Residence: Beachwood
Synagogue: Green Road Synagogue and Park Synagogue
Role in the community: President and CEO, Ohio Jewish Communities
How many years they have been giving: 24 years. I am eager to join the Silver Circle next year.
How did you first get involved in donations, and why do you continue to give? I first started giving as a volunteer on Super Sunday while in High School, but the reason I care so deeply is I genuinely would not be the person I am today without the Federation - not only have I participated directly in Federation and partner institutions in some way at every stage of my life, but the Jewish Community here also sponsored my grandparents’ migration here from the Feldafing displaced persons camp in Germany after they survived the Holocaust.
What Jewish organization(s) means the most to you personally and why? There are so many – too many to list here, but right now I think I benefit most directly from Gross Schechter School, which my son currently attends, JFC Security which does so much to keep us all safe, and the organizations doing the work of standing up and making sure that Cleveland and the United States remain a great place to live Jewishly.
How do you hope the next generation will benefit from your donations? I hope that the money we give to the Federation ensures the next generation has the same (and more) opportunities to live meaningful, vibrant Jewish lives that I had. I want our children to inherit a community that is strong, secure, welcoming and there for them at every stage of their lives. My family’s story is proof the investments one generation makes in Jewish community can shape lives for generations to come, and I hope our giving continues that legacy.
Name: Jill Sadowsky
Sadowsky
Residence: Richmond Heights
Synagogue: Congregation Mishkan Or
Role in the community: Director of Early Childhood Center at the Mandel Jewish Community Center
How many years they have been giving: Started in high school in 1983, so over 40 years
Why do you continue to give, year after year? It isn’t a question – of course you would be giving. While I work in the community, there have certainly been times where the community has given back to me in times of need at different points in my life or in my kid’s lives.
What does the Campaign for Jewish Needs mean to you personally? It’s how we support our Jewish community here in Cleveland, and in Israel as well.
What Jewish value does donating to the campaign year after year instill in you?
It’s so much more than tzedakah – it’s kehilla and helping build community, and it’s chesed. We are stronger together.
What Jewish organization means the most to you personally? Bellefaire JCB and the Mandel Jewish Community Center
Name: Karen Tucker
Tucker
Residence: Moreland Hills
Synagogue: Jewish Secular Community
Role in the community: Retired, member of the overseas connections committee at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland
How many years they have been giving: 40 years
Why do you continue to give? I feel strongly that we are responsible for our own people, our institutions, and for Jews in other countries and in Israel. When the whole world is hostile to Israel, Jews have to come forward and support one another.
What does the Campaign for Jewish Needs mean to you personally? The phrase kol yisrael arevim zeh lazeh is a very important principle to me – that all Jews should be responsible for each other. That’s what it really means, and I really believe in that, especially at a time of rampant antisemitism. That is my major motivation.
What Jewish value does donating to the campaign year after year instill in you? To be responsible for each other and take care of each other – that’s what really drives me the most. In a hostile world, Jews have to look after each other because we cannot depend on the outside world to take care of us as we’re seeing right now.
