Jewish Federations of North America

Jewish Federations of North America congratulate the people of Israel on a successful Election Day, one that reflects the shared values that bind Israelis and North American Jews. Read our full statement: https://ow.ly/7Sz35101xyh

New on the blog: Much recent coverage has focused on a growing rift between American and Israeli Jews, but new data from Jewish Federations of North America point the other way. https://ow.ly/Wofl5101nOX

“This is about more than the safety of one targeted community. It is about upholding the standards that ensure Canada remains an inclusive and welcoming place,” said @cijainfo.bsky.social and the Calgary Jewish Federation. https://ow.ly/VG4F5101nO0

“Our tradition teaches that “kol yisrael arevim zeh bazeh,” all Jews are responsible for one another. That responsibility isn’t theoretical. It is the reason we show up for each other in moments that matter.” https://ow.ly/Zbmn5101nMZ

“My years in the Jewish federation movement taught me the importance of collective action … I witnessed what becomes possible when institutions unite around a shared purpose.” Read more from Mark Wilf: https://ow.ly/tScJ5101nIu

Israel votes today. Tomorrow, we’ll break it down. Political analyst Haviv Rettig Gur returns Oct. 28 at 2pm ET to unpack the results and what they mean for the future of the Jewish State. https://ow.ly/n8aP5101nPL

Eight years since the attack on the Tree of Life Synagogue. We remember the 11 lives taken and embrace their families. In their honor, Jewish Federations of North America commit to building safer, stronger communities.

Jewish Federations of North America are deeply grateful to Mark Wilf and J. David Heller, both of whom have shown their commitment to the Jewish people time and time again. Todah, Mark, for your leadership when Israel needed it the most, and mazel tov, David! https://ow.ly/bJXp51016On

If you’re the Jewish parent of school-aged children (Pre-K–12) and do not currently send one or more of your kids to a Jewish day school, we want to hear from you: ow.ly/m2n930sZYX4

“It’s very important for the American people to recognize contributions the American Jewish community have made to America,” said Jeffrey Lasday, senior chief of external affairs at the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. https://ow.ly/FYNs51016Nn

“Our priority remains ensuring that Jewish students, and all students, can learn in an environment free from hate and discrimination,” read the statement from Jewish Federation of Cleveland. https://ow.ly/jiwe51016MB

Our thanks to Mark Wilf for leading @jewishagency.bsky.social through one of Israel’s most difficult chapters. We know our colleagues will be in good hands with J. David Heller, who served as Jewish Federations of North America's Campaign Chair from 2023-2026! https://ow.ly/TawQ51016JV

“This report is a powerful reminder to the Israeli people that #JewishFederations have their back,” said Rebecca Caspi, Director-General of Jewish Federations of North America's Israel office. https://ow.ly/TnW051016J4

In just a few weeks, the most influential voices in Jewish leadership will gather in Washington, D.C. to shape the future of our community. Will you be in the room? Join us for the #GeneralAssembly: generalassembly.org

More than 300,000 Israelis have gotten mental health support through JDC’s digital tools since the war began. Jewish Federations of North America are proud core partners of the JDC in building a stronger Israeli society. https://ow.ly/Csbc5100B0G

“I want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the elected officials of St. Johns County for their continued friendship with our Jewish community and their steadfast support of the State of Israel.” - Mariam Feist, Jewish Federation and Foundation of Northeast Florida https://ow.ly/A6Vn5100AWy

Buffalo Jewish Federation brought author Nancy Churnin to two schools to read “Martin and Anne: The Kindred Spirits of Martin Luther King Jr. and Anne Frank,” a story of shared values, with copies of the book for every student. Because that’s what Federations do. https://ow.ly/hLfA5100AXl

Israelis head to the polls on the 27th, and the next day Haviv Rettig Gur will break it all down for us: who won, what voters were saying, and where Israel goes from here. Join us Wed, Oct 28 at 2pm ET. https://ow.ly/uk505100AUC

Three years have passed since Oct. 7, 2023. Not only did #JewishFederations across North America provide immediate support to Israel, but we have continued to do so through this challenging period. Now, we have a clear picture of that impact: https://ow.ly/e0E85100AMn

"Only through deep, sustained, and strategic engagement can we ensure that antisemitism is neither tolerated nor normalized, and that our communities remain safe,” said Jewish Federations of North America's Shira Hutt. https://ow.ly/9w0U5100AKg

We’re asking Jewish parents of school-aged children (pre-K–12) who don’t currently send one or more of their children to a Jewish day school to share their perspective in our national survey. Survey closes Fri., October 30: https://ow.ly/YYli5100AHC

“Every thriving Jewish community I have encountered across British Columbia has been built… one relationship at a time,” writes Ezra S. Shanken, CEO of the Jewish Federation of British Columbia https://ow.ly/mTNC5100AII

Staff Sergeant Ron Yonatan Roytman, 23, from Ashkelon, and Sergeant Yuval Shai Svilem, 20, from Hod Hasharon, were killed in a terror attack that left three others injured. May their memories be a blessing. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-912657

With nearly 40 Featured Sessions, the 2026 #GeneralAssembly offers unmatched opportunities to learn, exchange ideas, and collaborate with Jewish leaders from across the globe. Be in the room for conversations that matter: generalassembly.org.

“Our community knows that we need to produce a generation of young adults who are proud, knowledgeable and empowered to act,” said Daniel Held, chief program officer of UJA Federation Toronto.

“#JewishFederations can only be strong when every professional in the community is strong,” explains Liz Fisher, Jewish Federations of North America's Chief Talent Officer. https://ow.ly/8BiA510080C

“Frontline invests in the people, relationships and resources our communities need to meet this moment with a sustained, strategic response,” said Shira Hutt, Jewish Federations of North America's executive vice president. https://ow.ly/bSUS51007Z0

During Kristallnacht, synagogues and Jewish community spaces were attacked and destroyed. This November 9, turn on a light and share a story or tradition worth carrying forward. Make your pledge: https://ow.ly/m7zM51007UY

“We learned the hard lesson that our civic engagement efforts must be more focused, more targeted, and more outcomes-based, and that is exactly what Frontline is designed to do," explained Jewish Federations of North America's Julie Platt.

"This is a deeply saddening moment. At the same time, I am proud of this young Jewish man’s service and sacrifice for our country. It stands in stark contrast to those who seek to intimidate and threaten our Jewish community.” -Ezra Shanken https://ow.ly/UTSS50ZZNpR

“Frontline is a game-changing initiative that will equip Federations with the talent, support, and resources they need to confront the increasingly complex and growing challenges they face.” – Shira Hutt https://ow.ly/kA0s50ZZNlL

“The street sign carries a simple but powerful message. We are here, we belong here and we’re not going anywhere,” said Mark Treyger of the street being renamed for JCRCNY. https://ow.ly/7ZAB50ZZNie

The day after Israel votes, @havivrettiggur joins us for a first look at the results. We’ll discuss what it says about Israeli voters, the new political landscape, and what comes next. Wed, Oct 28 | 2pm ET Register: https://ow.ly/MiKe50ZZNbz

Jewish parents of Pre-K–12 kids: if at least one of your children isn’t in Jewish day school, we want to hear from you. Your input will help shape the future of Jewish education. Survey closes Fri, Oct 30. https://ow.ly/ioHx50ZZnTN

“This distressing incident continues a pattern of isolating Jews and Jewish institutions, limiting cultural exchange, learning and understanding, and suggesting that our full participation in civic spaces is contingent on our renouncing the State of Israel.” https://ow.ly/waaf50ZZnXU

“[Dolly Parton’s] story is one of many that begs us to ask, ‘who cares for the caregiver?’ and, more importantly, how can we answer the call?” Read more from Jewish Federations of North America's Carly Bruski and Hayley Bunting-Herzog: https://ow.ly/EyXk50ZZnVI

“We’re trying to be very vigilant, much more so than three years ago, but that’s sort of the reality we’re living through now,” said Bob Horenstein, chief community relations and public affairs officer for the Portland Jewish Federation. https://ow.ly/JpN850ZZnV4

“Jewish Pennsylvanians should be able to attend school, go to college, walk home from synagogue, participate in life, and express their Jewish identities without fear of harassment, discrimination, or violence,” said Jason Holtzman, chief of the the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia's JCRC.

“The Catalyst helps Federations meet people where they are by inviting them into Jewish life through action,” said Jewish Federations of North America's Beth Lipschutz. Learn about the fifth cohort of The Catalyst fellowship: https://ow.ly/Jqnv50ZZ1Su

The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston “is committed to continuing to bring the community together to stand in solidarity, to provide financial support, to build understanding about the complex country we love,” said Renée Wizig-Barrios. https://ow.ly/PmUS50ZZ1Og

Join us at 2 PM ET today!

A congressional commission has officially launched to study the potential transfer of @weitzmanmuseum.bsky.social to the Smithsonian's network of museums. It is the only institution dedicated to preserving and displaying the history of Jews in the U.S. https://ow.ly/aphg50ZYwrh

"Secure planning has become part of the everyday work of sustaining Jewish life in Utah and the country," said Liz Paige, associate director of the United Jewish Federation of Utah. https://ow.ly/ppYN50ZYwq0

“Jewish learning can be incorporated in day-to-day service opportunities large and small,” said Isabella Ross, with the Jewish Federation of Tulsa. Read about her experience in The Catalyst, a fellowship from Jewish Federations of North America and Repair the World: https://ow.ly/zTZq50ZYwo9

“It’s incumbent on all of our elected leaders to take a stand against that hate, that extremism and that violence that threatens us and all Canadians,” said Noah Shack, CEO of @cijainfo.bsky.social https://ow.ly/VHGO50ZYwn5

There’s a little more than one week left before Israel’s election, so where do things stand? Join us tomorrow, Oct. 19, for a conversation with IDF Col. (Ret.) Miri Eisin at 2 PM and get an insider’s look: https://ow.ly/ZT7R50ZYwk6

“Oct. 7 still feels very raw and an evening like this helps unite the community in its grief and pain. The federation together with its partners promises to ensure that the memory of that horrific day never will be forgotten.” - Jason Shames, Jewish Federation of Northern NJ

“Antisemitism should never be tolerated from anyone. No amount of hate speech is worth the price of victory.” Read more in this piece, co-authored by JCRC GW's Ron Halber: https://ow.ly/Llq850ZYvNm

“Antisemitic threats, whether delivered in person or online, create fear, isolation, and profound insecurity, and they have no place in any community, especially one dedicated to learning, intellectual inquiry, and mutual respect.” - Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia

“Even as @jufchicago.bsky.social battles those external forces and devotes more resources to security, we must continue to nurture all that is precious within our own community by ensuring affordable, joyous and inspiring Jewish experiences,” said Jay Tcath.