ABOUT US
Mission and Values
In times of need, in times of plenty and in times of change, the Jewish Federation and The Jewish Community Foundation of the East Bay reach across our community to bring together donors, communal agencies, synagogues and others to unite our values, strengthen our community and make a greater impact through giving.
We are dedicated to:
- Helping build a strong, vibrant and inclusive local Jewish community.
- Supporting the organizations and programs that address the needs and enhance the well-being of our Jewish family – in the East Bay, in Israel and around the world.
- Engaging, educating and inspiring generations of givers throughout the Jewish community.
- Connecting philanthropists with giving opportunities that match their vision, values and goals.
When you give to the Federation and/or the Foundation, your gift is felt throughout the Jewish and non-Jewish worlds. And when your gift combines with those of others, it works to make a greater impact wherever there is need. Together, we are striving to create a better world now and for future generations. Together, we are stronger.
Guided by our Jewish values of tzedakah (righteous giving), chesed (loving kindness), and tikkun olam (repairing the world), the Jewish Federation and The Jewish Community Foundation work together to:
- Promote, energize and enhance Jewish life in the East Bay.
- Bring the community together to act in times of crisis and opportunity.
- Support Jews in need in the East Bay, Israel and around the world.
- Encourage and develop partnerships to make a greater impact.
- Contribute with 157 federations across North America to provide over $800 million every year to enhance life for and secure the future of the Jewish people.
How We Make an Impact
In 2010, the combined generosity of Federation/Foundation donors resulted in the distribution of almost 540 grants – close to $9.2 million – in six key areas of impact here at home, in Israel and across the globe:
- Supporting Israel and Global Jewry, to ensure that the Jewish state and its residents continue to thrive and to ensure that Jews around the world never go hungry or feel alone
- Enriching Jewish Community Life and Culture, to help ensure a vibrant East Bay Jewish community today and tomorrow
- Strengthening Jewish Identity and Education, to help our children build strong ties to their Jewishness that will last a lifetime
- Promoting Social Action and Advocacy, to address serious issues facing our Jewish community, the larger community in which we live, and challenges around the world
- Caring for Those in Need, to make sure that no one goes without for lack of resources – medical, financial or social
- Building Community, to enrich and strengthen our global community for all of us