The strength of a people. The power of community

We’re young and we’re Jewish. And we have something else in common: We want to connect. Federation Young Leadership gives us a place to explore our interests, meet other young Jews, have fun, and make a difference in the world through our actions.

We hope you’ll come to an event, or roll up your sleeves and dive into a tikkun olam project. And sooner or later, someone is going to get around to asking you to make a contribution to our Community Campaign. Yes, we’re talking about tzedakah.

Have you ever put a dollar in a tzedakah donation box as a gift for those in need? Some of us grew up thinking "tzedakah" just meant charity. But the word actually represents a much broader concept. Derived from the word "tzedek," it means justice. Pursuing a just world is what Jewish philanthropy is all about.

One of the primary reasons Federation exists is to raise money and then give it away. Every year, generous community members make contributions our Federation. These dollars – your dollars – are put into action by dedicated volunteers and professionals to meet a wide array of urgent humanitarian needs like feeding the hungry and providing medical care while helping to keep the Jewish community strong through Jewish education and experiences like camping and trips to Israel.

Think of poor families receiving critical assistance just to make ends meet. Children, parents and grandparents who need caregivers due to special needs and medical crises. Residents of storm-battered communities in need of disaster relief. Terror victims in Israel who need trauma counseling.

When people are in need, we don't sit on the sidelines. We act. We provide the necessary financial support to make things happen, through our own philanthropy and by sharing our passion for doing good with others. That’s what making a difference is all about.

Interested in making a donation?
Click here to learn more about where the dollars go.
Click here to learn about YLC%u2019s giving levels.