William K. and Naomi Kramer, Major Donors

Naomi Kramer cares deeply about her Jewish Community.

A resident of Harbor’s Edge in Delray Beach, Naomi, 89, chose the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County as a philanthropic partner, after learning of its mission and discovering how much it aligned with her values.

A proud Lion of Judah and Major Donor to the Federation’s annual campaign for Jewish needs, Naomi decided to take her philanthropic investment even further. Her transformational gift of $1 million dollars from the William K. and Naomi Kramer Charitable Foundation will profoundly impact lives, transform our Jewish community, and change the future of our Federation for generations to come.

“Children and young adults are losing an appreciation of what it means to be Jewish,” she said. “I want to change that.”

With a commitment to educational, cultural and advocacy experiences, Naomi’s gift will help empower and sustain the Jewish future-ensuring future generations and all current members of our community have a knowledge and sense of pride in their Jewish peoplehood.

Naomi is very concerned about the Jewish future. She is worried that the younger generation of Jews are losing touch with their heritage and that Jews of all ages are feeling powerless against the rising tide of antisemitism and antizionism after October 7^th.

Federation will help her realize her goals by investing the gift from her and late husband’s foundation in programs provided by its partner agencies, synagogues and Jewish day schools that support Jewish life and learning. Partners, such as BBYO, Hillel of Broward & Palm Beach, PJ Library®, and March of the Living, offer multiple pathways to embrace and continue Jewish history and traditions, instilling a sense of pride, connection and love for Jews at every stage of life.

Naomi was a small child during the Holocaust and remembers having a ‘very good Jewish upbringing,’ growing up in New York. After successful careers in real estate development and engineering, she and William established their foundation to ensure worthy causes, including medical research, education, care for animals and the continuity of the Jewish people, were properly funded.

When she began witnessing the recent rise in antisemitism, she decided to take action.

“For the first time in a long time, Jews feel threatened,” Naomi said. “We’ve become very complacent about being a Jew in the United States, and it took so little to wake up the antisemitism that has remained undercover for many, many years. Unless Jews feel a connection to their heritage, they will disappear.

“I’m very proud of our heritage, and what a small percentage of the population has contributed to the world at large,” she continued. “I don’t want us to disappear.”

The William K. and Naomi Kramer Fund for Jewish Life and Learning is one of four funding centers supported by the annual campaign, which provides support for the critical needs to sustain, nurture and grow Jewish life locally and around the globe.  These areas of need include the Jane & Alan Cornell Fund for Israel and Our Global Family, the Judi & Craig Donoff Fund for Special Needs and the Sarah & Max Pechter Fund for Safety Net Services.

The Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County is the backbone of a thriving, dynamic and vibrant community, experiencing noteworthy growth. After 45 years of change, the Jewish community is at an inflection point, and the Federation has the expertise and vision to guide it forward.  With a variety of transformational gift opportunities, the Federation is a trusted charitable advisor, allowing its donors’ philanthropic dreams to become a reality.

To learn more about how to become involved with the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, visit jewishboca.org, jewishdelray.org or call 561-852-3342.