Mission
To welcome, engage, and enhance Jewish life through connection, care, and community.
Vision
A vibrant and thriving Jewish community that ensures continuity for today and tomorrow
Values
Welcoming
We welcome people of all ages, backgrounds, abilities, gender identities, socio-economic status, and Jewish affiliations.
Engaging
We offer Jewish experiences, community, and connections for all ages and life stages.
Educating
We strengthen Jewish values and beliefs through education, volunteerism, leadership development, fighting antisemitism, advocacy, and support for worldwide Jewry and Israel.
Caring
We care for families, individuals, and our community members facing barriers, hardship, and isolation.
Preserving
We preserve and promote the continuity of Jewish history, culture, and community for future generations to come.
Giving
We encourage a culture of philanthropy to steward community resources and allocate them to community needs.
Impact
L’Dor V’Dor: The strength of our community today ensures the strength of the Jewish community of tomorrow. Thanks to the Jewish Federation of Greater Raleigh:
Members of the Jewish Community feel more connected to each other and to the Jewish people
Families pass on the importance and relevance of Jewish identity, Jewish community, and Israel to the next generation
The Jewish community feels supported and cared for during times of crises, isolation and hardship
The Jewish community stands with and feels supported by allied communities
The Greater Raleigh region continues to grow and flourish while remaining a desirable place to live for everyone
Service Area
The Jewish Federation of Greater Raleigh serves Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Wake Forest, Wendell, Knightdale, Henderson, Oxford, and areas east of Raleigh including New Bern.
Inclusion Policy
The Jewish Federation of Greater Raleigh continues to welcome, respect and value the participation of all people including; interfaith families, people of all abilities, religious practices, backgrounds, sexual orientation, gender identity, race and socio-economic status.
History
The Jewish Federation of Greater Raleigh has long been the heart of the Jewish community in the region. Over the past four decades, the Jewish Federation has identified and found ways to meet the needs and opportunities facing the Jewish community, in order to welcome Jewish residents to the area, engage them in a flourishing community, and empower them to live meaningful lives.
The seeds of our organization first took root in 1984, when an ad-hoc committee was formed to determine the need for, and feasibility of, a Jewish family service in the Raleigh area. This effort culminated in 1985 with the formation of Jewish Community Services, whose purpose was to preserve, to develop, and to promote healthy family life in the Jewish community of Wake County.
In 1986, the Wake County Jewish Federation was formed by the Raleigh Convening Group, with the support of local synagogues, Jewish Community Services, and the assistance of the Council of Jewish Federations. In 1987, the Federation incorporated, and Jewish Community Services shared office space and worked side-by-side with the newly formed Wake County Jewish Federation.
In 1991, Jewish Community Services and the Jewish Community Relations Council merged with the Wake County Jewish Federation. That year, the Federation also established the Jewish Community Center Without Walls to make Jewish cultural and educational programming accessible to all Jews in Wake County.
In 1994, visionary community members purchased land to house a Jewish community campus where individuals and families could gather, play and educate their children. By 1995, the Jewish Community Center opened its doors at the David R. Kahn Community Campus. That summer Camp JCC was launched to provide the first Jewish summer camp experience in Raleigh. That year, Jewish Community Services also changed its name to Jewish Family Services.
In 2000, The Jewish Community Foundation was established as a division of the Federation. That year, the Wake County Jewish Federation changed its name to the Jewish Federation of Raleigh-Cary, to better reflect the main population centers of the Jewish community.
In 2004, a generous group of donors purchased another 15 acres of land to expand the David R. Kahn Community Campus. In 2019, after a major renovation to the David R. Kahn Community Campus, the a 15,000 square foot Sports Pavilion was opened to the public, alongside two beautiful full size soccer fields.
Over the years, Jewish Federation of Greater Raleigh has expanded to serve Raleigh, Cary, and additional areas where Jewish families were moving such as Apex, Holly Springs, Wake Forest, Wendell, Knightdale, Henderson, Oxford, and areas east of Raleigh including New Bern.
Federation Presidents
1986 - 1988 Hank Landau (z’’l)
1988 – 1990 Dan Horvitz (z’’l)
1990 – 1992 Joe Woodland
1992 – 1993 Bob Bander (z’’l)
1993 – 1995 Allan From
1995 – 2000 Jim Maass (z’’l)
2000 – 2002 Glenn Simon
2002 – 2004 Carole Guld
2004 – 2006 Eileen Schwartz (z’’l)
2006 – 2007 Glenn Simon
2007 – 2008 Bob Goldwasser
2008 – 2009 Dave Singer
2009 – 2010 Mark Goldhaber, Doug Kahn
2010 – 2012 Keith Satisky
2012 – 2014 Robert Hubal
2015 – 2017 Mark Wiener
2018 – 2019 Robert Hubal
2019 – 2021 Jamie Rose Eliahu
2021 - Present Amy Bush