Feature
50Jewish Memphis Celebrates MIFA’s th
Anniversary
What is the connection between MIFA
(Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association) and
Jewish Memphis? More than many Memphians
may realize.
On September 15, MIFA celebrates its 50th
anniversary. To mark the memorable the
occasion, the Memphis-based nonprofit
organization – whose mission is to support
the independence of vulnerable seniors and
families in crisis – will host a series of fall
public events. And Jewish Memphians will be
at the forefront as they were 50 years ago when
the organization was formed.
Aside from MIFA’s unique founding, its
historical significance and current work, the
nonprofit has a longtime and deep connection
to the Memphis Jewish community through
organizational leadership, volunteerism and
financial support. Rabbi James Wax and Rabbi
Harry Danziger (both of Temple Israel) were
involved in the formative days of MIFA, and
now, Rabbi Bess Wohlner, also from Temple
Israel, was recently elected to MIFA’s board of
directors. Paula Jacobson, a past president of
Temple Israel, serves as vice chair of MIFA’s
board of directors.
MIFA was founded in 1968 in an unprecedented
cooperative effort uniting church and
community leaders to confront the growing
issues of poverty, hunger and social division
in Memphis. Created in the wake of Dr. Martin
Luther King’s assassination, MIFA began as
a volunteer-driven advocacy agency and has
evolved into a broad-based professional social
service agency with the aspirational vision of
uniting the community through service.
Today, the organization’s senior programs
promote independence, health, and
18 September 2018 I www.jewishscenemagazine.com
companionship; while family programs
provide basic services to prevent
homelessness, stabilize families and
encourage independence.
Celebratory events began the first week of
September with CommUNITY Days held
at various locations throughout the city.
People of all faiths, races, and backgrounds
gathered for this unparalleled five-day event.
More than 60 congregations across Shelby
County partnered on projects to benefit the
community and help make us better neighbors
to each other. CommUNITY Days projects
were designed to embody MIFA’s unity and
service vision by bringing congregations
together in ways that will build and strengthen
relationships between their members as they
serve others.
“Bluma Zuckerbrot-Finkelstein, Jewish
By Susan C. Nieman
MHA/FYOS students pack birthday
bags during CommUNITY Days.
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