Building our community
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 November 2002 by the Board of Directors of Congregation Bet Haverim, Jewish Fellowship of Davis, on the occasion of Ernie’s 80th birthday to honor Ernie and Hannah Biberstein, who are among the founding members of the synagogue. 2022 marks both the 20th Anniversary of the Biberstein Social Action Fund and Ernie’s 100th birthday in November.
The Bibersteins are longtime residents and have devoted much of their lives to community service and social justice. We mourn the loss of Hannah, who 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. Special consideration is given to new and/or innovative projects.
An annual Call for Proposals is released each September. Grants ranging from $500 to $2,000 are awarded in December. The Biberstein Fund members review the proposals. Current Biberstein Fund members include Congregation Bet Haverim partners Ernie Biberstein, Amy Abramson, Anne Gieseke, Sandy Jones, Joan Sublett, Shoshana Zatz, and Rabbi Bess Wohlner and Rabbi Jeremy Simons.
Download the 2022 Grant Application HERE. Completed applications, or questions, should be emailed to cbhbibersteinfund@gmail.com. Grant proposals must be submitted no later than October 28, 2022.
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 served as board members and officers. They have been active in a variety of interfaith groups including the Yolo Interfaith Immigration Network and Celebration of Abraham, which brings together Jews, Muslims, and Christians. They were recipients of the Brinley Award for community service, the Thong Hy Huynh Memorial Humanitarian Award, and the PeaceForce Award by Teach Peace. In 2016, Ernie received a Justice Leadership Award from the Multi-Cultural Council in Yolo County.
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, chaired the city’s Social Services Commission, and served on the Affordable Housing Task Force.
In 2021, the following grants totaling $17,315 were awarded:
Bike City Theatre Company & The Culture C.O.O.P – Support for the live production of “Grandpa is Everything Black Bad?”
Davis Oral Health Project – Oral health care supply kits with bilingual instructions.
Fourth and Hope – Commercial kitchen equipment for adult emergency shelter and residential housing.
HEART of Davis – Meals for emergency shelter residents
iDream – The Mac Give Back Project – Upgrade/refurbish used computers for donation to underserved populations
Make it Happen for Yolo County – Healthy cooking packages for transition-age (18-24) underserved youth
Meals on Wheels Yolo County – Grocery items for Weekend Food Project for the neediest home delivered meal clients
Personal Care Pantry – Hygiene and home cleaning supplies for low-income Woodland residents
STEAC –Vouchers and gift cards for STEAC clients in need of public transportation
Suicide Prevention of Yolo County – Gas and food support for crisis line volunteers
Thriving Pink – Support the launch of a new initiative “ProspeRosa”, a program supporting the Spanish speaking breast cancer community in Yolo County
Yolo Crisis Nursery – Equipment to enhance emergency medical and first aid resources for YCN clientele
Yolo Food Bank – Transportation costs to support the Food Bank partnership with the Masjid Aisha Mosque in West Sacrament
Click to Make a Donation to the Biberstein Fund