Pioneering Social Innovation in Times of Crisis

The organization's work during the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Israel exemplifies how Jewish community institutions can pivot from traditional programming to meet urgent humanitarian needs while maintaining cultural connections across borders.

Reimagining community support in Ukraine
As the conflict in Ukraine entered its third year, JCC Global has transformed its approach to supporting Jewish Community Centers in the region. Where these JCCs once primarily offered social, recreational, and educational activities, they now function as comprehensive emergency service providers. This fundamental pivot represents a significant social innovation in community infrastructure utilization.

"The JCCs in Ukraine now provide around-the-clock services, including welfare, medical assistance, physical support, and often a haven for all members of the community," notes Sheila Lambert, JCC Global President.

Recognizing the depletion of local resources and growing isolation of JCCs in Ukraine, the organization developed a three-tiered innovative program structure thanks to the support of major Jewish charities: The Jewish Federations of North America, UJA Federation of New York, the Jack Buncher Foundation, and the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation.

This comprehensive approach complements the foundational support provided by JDC, World Jewish Relief, JAFI, and other ground operations. At the local level, JCC Global now provides grants for crucial employment services and mental health support that directly assist community members, addressing immediate needs while building long-term resilience. The regional level innovation involves establishing a nationwide JCC network throughout Ukraine under JCC Global's guidance, creating shared resources and building organizational capacity that transcends individual JCCs.

Perhaps most innovative is the global level approach, where JCC Global facilitates three-year partnerships between 11 JCCs in Ukraine and 20 counterparts in North America, Israel, Europe, and Latin America. These relationships provide mentorship, resource development and expertise, and create direct people-to-people connections that strengthen global Jewish identity.

This multi-dimensional strategy represents a profound innovation in crisis response, combining immediate humanitarian assistance with long-term capacity building and international solidarity.

Adapting to crisis in Israel
Following the outbreak of war in Israel in late 2023, JCC Global demonstrated similar innovation by rapidly reconfiguring its programming to address new realities. Working in partnership with the Israel Association of Community Centers (IACC) and the Israel Federation of Community Centers (IFCC), the organization pivoted to emergency response while maintaining its focus on Jewish Peoplehood.

A particularly innovative initiative launched in response to the crisis is the Teen.Truth.Talk program, which connected teen staff members from JCCs worldwide with Israeli peers. This program represents social innovation at its best – addressing urgent needs while building future leadership capacity. By providing young people with tools to engage in meaningful discussions, counter misinformation, and strengthen Jewish identity, JCC Global is cultivating a generation equipped to navigate complex global challenges.

Global solidarity
What distinguishes JCC Global's approach is its unwavering commitment to maintaining multiple focus areas despite competing crises. While much of the global Jewish community's attention shifted toward Israel since October 7 2023, JCC Global innovated by developing systems to sustain support for Jewish communities in Ukraine while simultaneously addressing new needs in Israel.

"Despite the shifting focus, we have ensured that Ukraine remains a priority, continuing to mobilize resources, partnerships, and innovative programs to support these communities during this prolonged crisis," affirms Monica Kibrit, JCC Global Chair.

This balanced approach exemplifies institutional agility – the capacity to respond to emerging crises without abandoning existing commitments.

JCC Global's work illustrates how social innovation often emerges from necessity. By helping JCCs pivot from traditional programming to emergency services, the organization has demonstrated how Jewish communal institutions can be reimagined as comprehensive support systems during times of crisis.

The organization's emphasis on building partnerships across geographical boundaries represents another innovative dimension. By connecting communities facing different but equally challenging circumstances, JCC Global fosters a network of mutual support that embodies the principle of "All of Israel are Responsible for One Another."

As global challenges continue to evolve, JCC Global's approach offers valuable lessons in organizational adaptability, crisis response, and community resilience. By helping JCCs pivot from their traditional roles to meet emerging needs while maintaining cultural connections, JCC Global has created a model of social innovation that strengthens Jewish communities worldwide while providing critical services during times of unprecedented challenge.

For more information, visit www.jccglobal.org

Partnered with JCC Global