Quiet funding for Jewish singles
JOSH SAYLES
Staff Writer
Ever been to an event hosted by ShabbatLuck? L'Chaim? Any occasion where a large number of Jewish singles congregate? Chances are it was funded, at least in part, by an organization you've probably never heard of: The Dana Cheryl Beitscher Charitable Foundation.
Dana Cheryl Beitscher was killed in a car accident in 1996 at age 32; shortly thereafter her father, along with her fiancĒ, Irwin Pasternack, started a foundation in her name. Its main focus is "specifically to help Jewish singles to be able to meet each other," according to Pasternack, although it does sponsor other charitable endeavors, mostly in Israel.
Pasternack said he decided the foundation would focus on supporting Jewish singles events for several reasons: Beitscher was committed to finding Jewish husbands for both herself and her single Jewish girlfriends; there is little to no funding for Jewish singles groups in the Greater Phoenix area; and because "I felt that I wanted to do something that would make an impact on people's lives."
"(The foundation has) generously donated funds to cover location fees and paid for food at our events," wrote Jason Beckmann, co-founder of L'Chaim, a social club for young Jewish adults, via e-mail. "Every year they underwrite L'Chaim's biggest event, the annual break-the-fast on Yom Kippur. Our group would not be able to operate without help from the Dana Cheryl Beitscher Charitable Foundation."
Funds for the foundation are provided almost exclusively by Pasternack and by Beitscher's father, and Pasternack prefers to keep his organization under the radar. He said he does not like to request donations from the community, and even asked Jewish News to mention him as little as possible, wishing instead for the focus to be on Beitscher.
Pasternack said that if a group needs money to fund a singles event, there is no extensive paperwork - all they have to do is call.
"We try to be as conservative as we can," said Pasternack. "We don't have tons and tons of money. ... As long as it's reasonable, as long as it's going to help guys and girls meet each other, we'll fund it."
To donate to the foundation, make out a check to the Dana Cheryl Beitscher Foundation and mail it to: Dana Cheryl Beitscher Foundation, 745 E. Maryland Ave., Box 100, Phoenix 85014.
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