Biberstein Social Action Fund

Annual social action grants available

Nonprofit organizations are invited to submit applications to the Biberstein Social Action Fund for grants in support of projects addressing poverty, discrimination, abuse and neglect issues in Yolo County.

The fund was established in 2002 by the Board of Directors of Congregation Bet Haverim, Jewish Fellowship of Davis, to honor Ernie and Hannah Biberstein, who were among the founding members of the synagogue and who devoted much of their lives to community service and social justice. Hannah passed away in April 2011.

The goal of the annual awards made from the Biberstein Social Action Fund is to help groups in their efforts to meet unfulfilled needs.

“In light of all the budget cuts in social services, we hope that grants like ours can make a difference,” Hannah Biberstein had said. “It means a lot to us that real individuals benefit from our grants.” Special consideration is given to new and/or innovative projects, she said.

An annual Call for Proposals is released mid-September. Grants ranging from $500 to $2,000 are awarded each December. A committee of Bet Haverim congregants reviews grant applications.  Current Biberstein Fund committee members are congregants Ernie Biberstein, Amy Abramson, Anne Gieseke, Sandy Jones, Joan Sublett, Shoshana Zatz, and Rabbi Greg Wolfe.

At the start of the grant application period, the application form will be available here or by mail by contacting the CBH office at (530) 758-0842.

Questions may be directed to the Biberstein Social Action Fund at cbhbibersteinfund@gmail.com.

The Bibersteins were among the founders of Davis Community Meals, where they have served as board members and officers. They are also active in a variety of interfaith groups, including Care for God’s Creation, Yolo Interfaith Immigration Network, and Celebration of Abraham, which brings together Jews, Moslems and Christians. In recognition of their services, they received several civic awards.

Ernie Biberstein is a professor emeritus of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Hannah Biberstein was a mediator in the original city of Davis mediation program, was chair of the city’s Social Services Commission, and served on the Affordable Housing Task Force.

Past grant recipients include: Cesar Chavez Elementary School, Citizens Who Care, Inc., Davis Bridge Educational Foundation, Elderly Nutrition Program, Food Bank of Yolo County,  Friends of Esparto Library, Habitat for Humanity, Interfaith Rotating Winter Shelter, Mercer Veterinary Clinic, NAMI, Short Term Emergency Aid Committee, Village Harvest Davis, Yolo Interfaith Immigration Network (YIIN), Yolo Adult Day Health Care, Yolo County Care Continuum (YCCC), Yolo County Conflict Resolution Service, and Yolo Literacy Council.