Jewish Federations of North America

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The logo of Jewish Federations of North America

The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), formerly the United Jewish Communities (UJC), is an American Jewish umbrella organization representing 152 Jewish Federations and 300 independent Jewish communities across North America. JFNA was formed from the merger of the United Jewish Appeal (UJA), Council of Jewish Federations, and the United Israel Appeal.[1]

JFNA provides fundraising, organization assistance, training, and overall leadership to the Jewish Federations and communities throughout the United States and Canada. The Federation movement protects and enhances the well-being of Jews worldwide through the values of tikkun olam, tzedakah and Torah.

JFNA has also launched a number of projects, including the Israel Action Network together with Jewish Council for Public Affairs, to "mobilize communities to counter the Assault on Israel’s Legitimacy".[2]

Jewish Federation centers[edit]

These are some of the 152 Jewish Federation Chapters in North America.[3]

Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix[edit]

The Jewish Community Association of Greater Phoenix formerly the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix is the main philanthropic, planning and community outreach organization for the Jewish community of greater Phoenix, AZ. The Federation is dedicated to ensuring and enriching Jewish identity and enhancing the quality of Jewish life locally, in Israel and around the world.

The focus of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix is to identify and resolve important community issues, as well as promote the general welfare of the Jewish community. Through its partnerships with local and overseas agencies, the Federation introduces youth to Jewish values, provides the elderly and vulnerable populations with critical support services, enriches the lives of special needs populations, responds to the personal hardships of those facing financial crisis, assists with humanitarian relief in the wake of worldwide disasters, and supports Israel's social and economic vitality.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix is a member of the Jewish Federation of North America, formerly United Jewish Communities, which is an American Jewish umbrella organization representing 152 Jewish Federations and 400 independent Jewish communities across North America.

Historical highlights[edit]

When the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix was established in the fall of 1940 as the Phoenix Jewish Community Council, the Jewish population in Greater Phoenix was estimated at less than 5,000. In 1948, it distributed the weekly Jewish newspaper The Phoenix Jewish News, predecessor of The Jewish News of Greater Phoenix.[4][5]

By 2002, the Greater Phoenix Jewish Community Study, conducted by Ukelese Associates, Inc. confirmed that the Valley of the Sun had grown at a rate of 138% since 1987 and that the population claiming Jewish status in the Valley had finally exceeded 100,000. As of 2009, the Jewish population in Greater Phoenix is estimated to be above 125,000.

Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis[edit]

The Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis is the central philanthropic, planning and community relations organization of the Jewish community.[6][7] The Federation and its agencies function to promote the general welfare of the Jewish community and to ensure the creative survival and continuity of the Jewish people.

The Federation creates social, community service and outreach programs for young Indianapolis Jews ages 25 to 45 through its Young Leadership Division. According to the United States Census, more than 12,000 people identify themselves as Jewish in Indianapolis. In 2005, the Federation's annual campaign raised $5 million toward programs and services in Indianapolis, in Israel and worldwide. About 65 percent of the funds are allocated to local and regional programs and services. About 31 percent of the funds are allocated to Israel and overseas programming, while the remaining 4 percent is for administrative costs and scholarships.

The Federation is in the same building as the Jewish Community Center and the Bureau of Jewish Education. The Federation works closely with the Hasten Hebrew Academy of Indianapolis and the five local synagogues.

Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City[edit]

The Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City is a non-profit federated agency that raises money for more than 30 Jewish agencies in the Greater Kansas City region on a yearly basis as well as several overseas agencies in the former Soviet Union and Israel. The 2006 campaign has raised nearly five million dollars.

The Jewish Federation of Kansas City has headquarters in Overland Park, Kansas.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "UJC To Get Name Change", Jewish Telegraphic Agency
  2. ^ "Israel Action Network". 
  3. ^ "The Jewish Federations of North America Directory" (PDF). Retrieved 2 November 2013. 
  4. ^ Leisah Woldoff (January 18, 2008). "Newspaper celebrates six decades". Jewish News of Greater Phoenix. Retrieved August 9, 2011. 
  5. ^ Robert Singerman (2001). Jewish serials of the world: a supplement to the research bibliography of secondary sources. Greenwood Publishing Group. Retrieved August 9, 2011. 
  6. ^ Congressional Record, Volume 150. p. 19069. 
  7. ^ David J. Bodenhamer, Robert G. Barrows. The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. p. 854. 

External links[edit]

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