YOUR IMPACT IN THE JEWISH PALM BEACH COUNTY COMMUNITY

Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County works to transform, empower and save lives in the Palm Beaches, Israel and 70 countries around the world.

Together with our partner agencies, community synagogues and generous community members like you, Federation focuses on causes that affect the Jewish community and reflect Jewish values.

Scroll down to see how you are helping us improve lives and address the causes you care about.

Click here to see how we accomplish our impact together.

Combatting food insecurity by providing grocery store gift cards to families locally and globally
Providing safe paths to Israel for at-risk families around the world
Enabling Holocaust survivors to age with dignity through home healthcare, companion services and meal deliveries.
Caring for families in the Palm Beaches with mental health and bereavement services
Mobilizing immediate on-the-ground global disaster relief in times of crisis
Strengthening social and academic skills by connecting at-risk youth in Israel with mentors

Gisela, Holocaust survivor, able to live at home with dignity.

Gisela, a 91-year-old native of Hungary who survived the horrors of Auschwitz, today lives in Boynton Beach. Though Gisela is frail and her family lives in Connecticut, she is able to live at home independently thanks to Kramer Senior Services, a subsidiary of MorseLife Health System and partner of Federation. Sharon, a local volunteer, delivers kosher meals to Gisela each week; the two have weekly discussions and enjoy a meaningful friendship. But Gisela doesn’t spend all of her time at home; she connects and finds companionship with other Holocaust survivors at AJFCS’ programs each month.

Elana, Jewish teen leader, brings her Jewish community advocacy to campus
Today, Elana Deutch is vice president of her university’s Hillel chapter. In many ways, her Jewish journey began with Federation scholarships that enabled her to take part in immersive Jewish experiences. After her Bat Mitzvah, Elana received Federation’s Gift of Israel voucher, allowing her to take part in the March of the Living program. A Federation scholarship also provided her with the opportunity to connect with Israel and our global family on Federation’s Young Ambassadors program. Elana also advocated on behalf of our community in Washington, DC on Jewish Teen Initiative’s Panim el Panim. Now in college, Elana is using the skills and passion she developed with Federation experiences to connect hundreds of Jewish students to Jewish life. She also speaks around the Palm Beaches to inspire other teens to be involved.

Celebrating Jewish culture and holidays with community-wide family programs
Connecting Holocaust survivors with one another for camaraderie and comfort
Building connections among young adults through short and long-term experiences in Israel
Providing scholarships and incentives for Jewish teens in the Palm Beaches to connect with teens throughout the country
Strengthening connections to Jewish life through arts, learning and recreational programs
Empowering students in the Palm Beaches to connect with students in Israel through school twinning projects

Despite geographic distance, Zach and Ravid build a lasting friendship

One year ago, Zach and Ravid shared little in common. Zach, from Lake Worth, showed minimal interest in Jewish life. Ravid, who lives in Federation’s Partnership2Gether region, had never left the small town of Rosh Pina. Zach stepped out of his comfort zone and traveled to Israel on Federation’s Bonim Chaim-Young Ambassadors program, a hands-on, in-depth Israel experience for teens. The program combined learning and social action, while offering Zach the opportunity to live with Ravid’s family. Six months later, Ravid visited the Palm Beaches with other Israeli teens, staying with Zach’s family. Zach and Ravid’s experiences together built a bond between them and their communities. Today, each serves as an ambassador of the other’s culture and perspective – bridging the  gap between our communities.

Inspiring Jewish teens in the Palm Beaches to live the Jewish value of Tikkum Olam through community service projects
Fostering Jewish life and learning with deliveries of free Jewish books and music to young families through PJ Library^®
Educating the next generation with a world-class Jewish day school experience
Building a foundation of Jewish early childhood education through Jewish Right Start^™ incentives
Empowering Jewish identity among young people in countries faced with rising anti-Semitism
Developing community leadership skills among young people in the Palm Beaches and Israel

Shira has the support she needs to achieve success

Shira, a 12-year-old girl who lives in Federation’s Partnership2Gether region, was struggling in school because of her problems with anger. Her school principal recommended she participate in Youth Futures, a Partnership2Gether program that provides at-risk children and families with mentors who work with them over several years. Shira’s mentor, Racheli, helped her learn to turn her anger into words and listening. After one year of Youth Futures, Shira’s grades improved, she made more friends, and she now regularly exhibits better control over her anger. After five years with Youth Futures – as Racheli puts it – “Shira is ready for anything.”

Building Jewish identity by providing scholarships for children to enjoy life-changing Jewish experiences at overnight summer camp
Connecting children with disabilities and their families with Jewish identity and education
Mentoring children from single-parent homes
Strengthening Jewish identity in young adults through Israel travel experiences
Advancing the integration of Ethiopian-Israelis into Israeli society with language, education and job resources

Ethan, 3, makes history as recipient of 100,000th PJ Library® book delivery

A Tuesday afternoon turned out to be anything but ordinary for three-year-old Ethan Frost, who lives in Wellington. Ethan received a knock at the door – only to discover he and his family were the recipients of the 100,000th PJ Library® book in the greater Palm Beaches. An award-winning literacy program implemented by Friedman Commission for Jewish Education, PJ Library® delivers free Jewish books and music to families in our community. For Ethan’s special delivery, community members Dorothy Adler and Sheila Engelstein read Runaway Latkes to Ethan and his mother, teaching them about the traditions of Hanukkah.