Federation is launching a new phase of Israel engagement, deepening personal and communal connections with Israel through partnerships, immersive experiences, and inclusive dialogue—especially for younger Jews navigating complex relationships with the Jewish state.
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Israel Strategy
Building meaningful, personal connections to Israel and Israelis.
A strong connection to Israel enhances our individual and collective American Jewish experience. Feeling part of a global Jewish family and connected to the Jewish homeland is one of the gifts of Jewish identity. Our role is to help people pursue and deepen those ties and form connections with Israel and Jewish peoplehood that feel real, nuanced, and personal.
Why Now
Our approach to Israel engagement must meet the evolving needs of our community members and the demands of our social and political climate. At Federation, we see the way October 7 and its aftermath has awakened people’s interest in and affinity for Israel. We also see how many in our community are struggling to figure out their relationship with Israel in this moment.
Our approach makes space for complexity. We believe honest and open conversation enriches our community. The pathway to greater engagement with Israel must make space for multiple avenues of exploration, learning, and questioning.
Our Role
As a Federation, we are here to serve as a convener and facilitator of Israel engagement—helping synagogues, schools, agencies, and community partners create meaningful opportunities that connect people to Israel and to one another. Part of this work includes:
- Strengthening long-term relationships, in addition to responding in moments of crisis
- Supporting two-way exchange and shared learning
- Partnering across the community with congregations, educators, clergy, lay leaders, and philanthropists
- Creating multiple entry points for connection, engagement, and learning
Our Strategic Focus
Our goal is to strengthen the connective tissue—the infrastructure, programming, and partnerships—that will bring Greater Washington and Israel closer, year after year. And to do so in collaboration with Jewish organizations, lay leaders, educators, clergy, professionals, and philanthropists.
Our work is currently focused on two distinct and mutually reinforcing strategies:
- Deepening everyday connections
- Expanding place-based partnerships
Local lay leaders and Jewish organizations have formed genuine relationships with Israeli communities over the last several years. We are exploring ways to help them grow these partnerships and expand opportunities for community members to visit Israel, volunteer, host delegations, participate in shared learning, and engage directly with Israeli projects.
Across this work, our community shlichim (Israeli emissaries) play a vital role in strengthening direct, people-to-people connections to Israel throughout our community.
After losing five students on October 7, Omer could hardly breathe in his classroom. Now, he leads a therapeutic gym for trauma survivors—just one story of resilience made possible by Federation’s $500,000 grant to JDC’s trauma-informed employment recovery program in Israel.
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In the wake of the Bondi attack, we are once again reminded that unchecked hate escalates—from words to violence. It’s time for moral clarity, stronger leadership, and unwavering resistance to antisemitism in all its forms—both in our circles and on the global stage.
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In response to the tragic attack in Australia, we reaffirm our commitment to Jewish safety in Greater Washington through JShield, stand with the global Jewish community, and call for vigilance against antisemitism everywhere.
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In a time of political tension and fear, over 30 community members gathered at the Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia for a powerful evening of dialogue led by a community shaliach and the Arava Institute—focusing on connection, not consensus.
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A new school in the Galilee—the first in 47 years—is part of Homeward/Habaita, a bold initiative strengthening Israeli communities through education. See how your support is helping 36,000+ students thrive in the face of crisis.
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Explore Ways to Connect
Discover programs, partnerships, and opportunities to build meaningful connections with Israel and Israelis.
Explore Israel Connections