Berkshire Jewish Women's Federation Announces Grants

08:36AM / Wednesday, September 21, 2022Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Jewish Women’s Foundation of the Berkshires (JWF) has announced grant awards totaling $63,425 for 16 local organizations.

The grants range from $1,500 to $5,000 and run for one year. Funded programs fall into three of the Foundation’s priority areas:

Increasing Access to Food, Housing, and Other Essentials for Berkshire Residents: Berkshire Bounty, Berkshire Community Diaper Project, Berkshire South Community Center, Greenagers, Roots and Dreams and Mustard, Roots Rising, South Community Food Pantry, and The Guthrie Center

Promoting Self-Sufficiency: Arts in Recovery for Youth, Berkshire Center for Justice, Berkshire Immigrant Center, Community Health Programs, 18 Degrees, and Literacy Network

Empowering Youth and Young Adults: Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center/Girls Inc. of the Berkshires, Central Berkshires Habitat for Humanity, and Railroad Street Youth Project

In its 13th year, JWF, under the auspices of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, has granted more than $450,000 to community organizations. JWF has over 180 members who are passionate about giving back to the Berkshire community.

For information about the grants program, please contact Esther Messing, Chair of the Grants Committee at esthermessing@gmail.com or visit JWFB.org.

Tags: Jewish Federation,

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Pittsfield Subcommittee Considers E-Bike Safety

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
03:49PM / Monday, October 19, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Some city councilors want to explore ways to encourage safe e-bike use.

The Ordinances and Rules subcommittee earlier this month discussed the request by Councilor at Large Kathy Amuso and Ward 3 Councilor Matthew Wrinn to increase enforcement of bicycle and e-bike use on Pittsfield streets, install signage in high-traffic areas, and launch an educational program for kids.

Amuso has gotten reports of kids going 15 to 20 miles per hour on the sidewalk with motorized bikes while people are trying to back out of their driveways, and fears someone might get hurt.

She said if they could start with some of the basics such as riding with traffic in bike lanes and operators under 16 wearing helmets, it would address most of the calls.

"Do I think we need to put ten police on trying to find e-bikes throughout the city? I don't. But there are enough calls that I'm getting, and other councilors are getting, that we have to say, ‘Okay, what can we do?' And we have a lot of bike lanes in Pittsfield, and the e-bikes and all bikes should be in the bike lanes, not on the sidewalk,” she said.

The petition was tabled so that the Department of Public Works can study it and gather further information.

In Massachusetts, an e-bike with a top speed of 20 miles per hour and a motor of 750 watts or less is classified as a traditional bicycle. State law defines two e-bike classes:

A Class 1 electric bicycle is defined as having a motor of 750 watts or less that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.