News & Updates

On October 27, we will mark one year since the horrifying attack on the congregations at the Tree of Life building in Pittsburgh. It is a moment that will live on in the American Jewish story as both painful and historic. The often-abstract concepts of rising hate and anti-Semitism became all too real that day.

Eva Davis Julien Guttman On Thursday, November 7, a passionate group of Jewish 20s & 30s from across the DMV will gather for Federation's Flash Philanthropy: a one-night-only giving circle experience. Presented by Federation’s Young Leadership, and co-chaired by Eva Davis and Julien Guttman, this unique opportunity will bring local young leaders together to discover

A Reflection from Avi West, Master Teacher of Federation’s Jewish Education Department Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is marked with penitential prayers and fasting, all focused on repairing our relationship with our fellow human beings and with our Creator. We gather to publicly acknowledge our failings and pledge to be better in the coming

From the moment I walked into the hotel lobby in Toronto, I felt engulfed in community. Hugs from friends old and new. Excitement about the time we were about to spend together. The slightly nervous energy of those joining us for the first time. Four years ago, when I first joined The Jewish Federations of

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, to ensure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. The truth is, religious entities are exempt

The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington is pleased to welcome Ariel Kurland to our professional team as the new director of Young Leadership. We sat down with Ariel to learn more about her background and what she’s looking forward to accomplishing in her new role. Tell us about your background.  I’m originally from Berkeley, CA.

By Gil Preuss Recently, two articles addressed changes in the American Jewish landscape. In “’The Establishment’ Has No Clothes: The New Jewish ‘Influence Economy’,” Yehuda Kurtzer argues that power within the Jewish community has shifted. Rather than remain concentrated within the confines of the “Jewish establishment,” power or, rather, influence now rests with new organizations,

Latest phase of Federation’s Strategic Planning Process funds work focused on Engaging the Next Generation and Strengthening Jewish Life in Northern VA. The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington announced the allocation of more than $1 million in funds for 31 proposals geared towards testing new ideas and expanding high impact initiatives within the Jewish community

“Well-meaning people used to say that a Jewish state would be an answer to all Jewish questions. In truth, however, the State of Israel is a challenge to many of our answers. To be involved in the life of Israel is to be in labor.” – Abraham Joshua Heschel, Israel: An Echo of Eternity As

The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, and our Greater Washington Jewish community are angry and horrified by yet another senseless, violent, antisemitic attack on an American synagogue, this time at the Chabad in Poway, California. One person has been killed and three others, including a child, have been