As the war with Iran continues, Federation remains closely connected with partners across Israel and the broader Federation network. We will continue sharing updates, briefings, and recordings as new information becomes available.
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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.
As war with Iran escalates and Israeli families return to bomb shelters, Federation stands firmly with Israel—allocating $250,000 for urgent relief, reinforcing community security through JShield, and mobilizing long-term support in close coordination with partners on the ground.
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Purim calls us not only to celebration, but to give directly to those in need. Through $1.85M in funding, Federation provides critical relief, dignity, and hope to those facing hardship.
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Four years into the war in Ukraine, intensified attacks continue to disrupt daily life—yet Jewish life endures. Through Federation’s global partners, nearly 57,000 vulnerable Jews have received care, while thousands engage in Jewish Agency programs, camps, and Aliyah preparation.
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Amid political polarization, antisemitism, and deepening debates about Israel, Federation reflects on what we owe our community now—building durable bridges, engaging the full range of voices, and strengthening connection to Jewish life, Israel, and one another.
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New surveys from Jewish Federations of North America and Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston reveal widening divides over Zionism, especially among younger Jews — prompting a call for expansive, inclusive Zionism that embraces debate while reaffirming commitment to a Jewish and democratic Israel.
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Explore Ways to Connect
Discover programs, partnerships, and opportunities to build meaningful connections with Israel and Israelis.
Explore Israel Connections