Together we can

protect his future

Manu, 3 years old

Needs medical treatment for his development.

Give support

Together we can

guarantee their present

Yael, 35 years old

Needs to cover her family's daily meals.

Give support

Together we can

honor her legacy

Clara, 84 years old

Needs help to cover her medications every month.

Give support

Change the future of hundreds of families with your participation

Your help comes right in time to transform lives

Our Mission

The mission of Fundación Tzedaká is to rescue members of the Uruguayan Jewish Community from poverty, by providing basic assistance and promoting and developing social initiatives leading to their reintegration into community life.

A great responsibility

We conceive poverty, not only as a loss of income or lack of access to services or the impediments to affording a basic food basket but also regarding its direct consequences for human beings, their quality of life, their psyche, their perception of the world, and their relationships.

We work with professionalism and commitment to help families lead a dignified life. We accompany older adults to improve their quality of life and provide the care they need. We offer children and adolescents the necessary tools for education and recreation, as well as support in their growth process. We strive to help youngsters and adults find their path and autonomy.

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People

More than 3,000 people have been through the Foundation since it opened its doors in 2003.

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Annual benefits

Benefits are provided every month in the areas of food, health, and housing, to cover the basic needs of each family.

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Children, adolescents, and youngsters

We develop educational and recreational programs to support children, adolescents, and youngsters, to offer them more opportunities and a better quality of life.

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Adults

We work on promotion programs, in various areas, focusing on employment and training.

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Seniors

We work on counseling, care, and guidance offering the support required at this stage of life, as we create spaces for bonding and cultural integration.

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Families from all over the country

Currently, our social assistance reaches hundreds of people from vulnerable contexts throughout the country.

Our History

The story of Fundación Tzedaká begins with the initiative and perseverance of Sara Kavana, a Uruguayan living in the United States who, due to the difficult socioeconomic situation that the region was experiencing in 2002, was the ideologist and pioneer in the creation of a community-based organization capable of providing an answer to poverty. Under this difficult context, and in response to the demands of Uruguayan Jewish families, Sara did not hesitate to act, inspired by a sister organization in the neighboring country: Fundación Tzedaká Argentina. Sara played an essential role in reaching out to both community leaders to join the project and the American Joint Distribution Committee for Latin America.

In 2003, Fundación Tzedaká Uruguay was created, thanks to the economic and professional support of the JDC and the participation of 15 Institutions of the Uruguayan Jewish Community, such as the Kehilot and schools within the network.

Throughout these 20 years, the tireless work, dedication and commitment of the Foundation’s presidents stand out: Leonardo Rozenblum, Jorge Stainfeld, Andrea Wysokikamien, Gabriel Werba, Milton Lubinski and Mauricio Bergstein. Their role has been and continues to be essential to give strength and continuity to this project, so that it can actually help thousands of people. We also deeply appreciate all the members who currently serve on the Board and all those who have been part of it.

From the very beginning, the Foundation was chosen by the Claims Conference to manage the resources provided to Holocaust Survivors.

With the aim of ensuring a transparent and reliable management, Fundación Tzedaká Uruguay is audited annually by the multinational consulting firm KPMG, on a pro bono basis.

Throughout all these years, more than 3,000 people have knocked on the Foundation’s doors, finding a humane, supportive and immediate response, overcoming difficulties, improving their living conditions, and managing to move ahead.

Areas of action

Delivery of food tickets
Meal deliveries for people with chronic conditions and/or mobility issues.

Payment of rent, lodging, and home for the elderly
Payment of household services and taxes
Home repairs
Donation of household objects
Home heating

Payment for medical orders and/or exams
Therapeutic assistance and gerontological nurses
Support in psychological, pedagogical, or motor-skills therapy
Dental health support and prescription glasses
Medication delivery

Payment of school lunches in Jewish schools
Tutoring and mentoring
Delivery of school supplies
Support with school textbooks
JOFESH: Summer and winter camps
Monthly subsidy for university and/or tertiary-level students

LABOR: Support with labor market integration
TARBUT: Support for cultural accessibility
CHAGIM: Celebration of Jewish festivities and promotion of traditions
CLAIMS CONFERENCE: Support for Shoah Survivors
Workshops and recreational activities for seniors

Evaluation and follow-up interviews
Home visits
Assistance with telephone calls

A great team for solidarity

Board

Diego Socolovsky, President
Mauricio Bergstein, Vice President
Milton Lubinski, Secretary
Mario Rybak, Treasurer
Armando Litvan
Gabriel Werba
Andrea Wysokikamien

Board of Honor

Sarita Kavana
Leonardo Rozenblum
Jorge Stainfeld
Eugenio Garfinkel Z´L

Professional Staff

Eleonora Sucharczuk, Executive Director
Romina Poliak, Director, Social Work Department
Fabian Duek, Chief Financial Officer – Accounting and Administrative/Compliance Officer
Andrea Ghindelschi, Fundraising
Ilana Lustgarten, Head of Strategy
Marta Moscona, Assistant Director
Mónica Markenson, Operations Assistant
Ethel Katzkowich, Social Operator
Andrea Deutsch, Social Operator
Paula Baez, Social Operator
Valeria Gularte, Social Operator
Alex Feinberg, Social Operator
Denisse Cohen, Administrative Assistant for the Social Work
Department
Lucía Clavijo, Pharmaceutical Chemist Labriut
Michael Wigozky, Claims Conference Advisor