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.
read more
Israel Connections
Building bridges. Strengthening peoplehood. Deepening connection.
We believe that feeling connected to Israel and to one another is a vital part of Jewish life. The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington helps people in Greater Washington build relationships with Israelis and engage with Israel in ways that feel meaningful and personal.
Through people-to-people exchange, learning, travel, and partnership, we create opportunities to connect with Israel and Israelis—at home and abroad.
Connections at Home and Abroad
Our Israel engagement is rooted in people-to-people connection and shared experience.
Here in Greater Washington, 11 community shlichim (Israeli emissaries) bring Israel to life through Hands-On Israel and immersive experiences in schools, synagogues, JCCs, and more, creating everyday points of connection that are accessible, engaging, and lasting.
Community Partnerships
Through place-based partnerships, we connect communities directly and support deeper models of reciprocal engagement.
With partners like Kibbutz Re’im and the Kinneret Valley Cluster, we work together on projects that strengthen relationships and support shared learning and recovery. These partnerships are designed not only to respond to current needs, but to strengthen trust, adaptability, and long-term connection between Israelis and our Greater Washington community.
Global Connections
Our local Israel engagement is strengthened by long-standing global partnerships and strategic investments that connect Greater Washington to Jewish communities worldwide.
In partnership with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), and World ORT, we strengthen Jewish life in Israel and in more than 70 countries—caring for vulnerable communities, responding in times of crisis, and ensuring that Jews everywhere feel supported and part of a shared future.
Fast Facts
-
$ 4 M+
annually invested in Israel-focused programs and emergency response
-
11
Shlichim embedded across local institutions, sparking connection every day
-
2
flagship partnerships supporting long-term recovery, renewal, and community connection
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.
read more
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.
read more
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.
read more
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.
read more
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.
read more
Federation investments support meaningful connections with Israel and Jewish communities worldwide. Through core allocations and targeted grants, we strengthen global Jewish life, respond to urgent needs, and expand opportunities for local engagement with Israel’s people, society, and culture. Together, we are sustaining global Jewish life and creating opportunities for lasting connection across borders.
Core Allocations
Ongoing funding that supports critical global capacity and people-to-people connections:
- Supporting aliyah and global Jewish needs through the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), $1,292,744
- Expanding impact through the Shlichim Program in Greater Washington, $700,000 (12 shlichim across the region)
- Caring for vulnerable populations via the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), $812,000
- Enabling peer Israel travel through Birthright Israel, $214,000
- Advancing equality through the Social Venture Fund for Jewish-Arab Equality and Shared Society, $60,000
- Supporting global Jewish education through World ORT, $24,000
Programmatic Grants
Supporting innovative Israeli organizations and initiatives that align with Federation’s new Israel Strategy:
- Expanding dialogue with the Arava Institute, $50,000
- Strengthening leadership with Berl Katznelson Initiatives, $125,000
- Building inclusive communities through Pnima, $80,000
- Nurturing social leadership with Shaharit, $70,000
- Engaging culture and identity with Jerusalem Season of Culture, $25,000
- Training Ethiopian Israeli women in tech careers through Tech Careers, $25,000
- Additional grants supporting education, diversity, and social change ($110,000 combined)
Local Israel Engagement
Federation also invests in connecting Greater Washington directly to Israel through:
- Israel Quest scholarships for teens, lowering barriers to immersive Israel travel
- Mishlachat (Shlichim Program), bringing Israeli emissaries into congregations and community spaces
- Federation’s Israel Office, deepening partnerships, monitoring impact, and creating meaningful travel experiences
Your values. Your impact.
Israel-focused giving strengthens strategic partnerships, immersive programs, and meaningful connections that support Israel’s recovery, resilience, and future. Your direct support helps communities and individuals across Israeli society heal, rebuild, and thrive.
Direct your impact