JCC Global: Jewish Peoplehood With Israel at Its Heart

When the State of Israel was founded 75 years ago, its Declaration of Independence promised a country that would “be open for Jewish immigration and for the Ingathering of the Exiles.” Thus, the mutual responsibility between Israel and world Jewry was codified. JCC Global (formerly known as the World Confederation of Jewish Community Centers) was founded 29 years later, in 1977, with the vision of “striving to deepen the sense of Jewish Peoplehood throughout the world” and “strengthening the ties that bind Jewish communities with Israel and with all Jews throughout the world."

Robust global network

Fast forward to 2023. JCC Global is a preeminent organization that helps Jewish communities thrive locally and connect globally, fostering a sense of belonging among a diverse tapestry of people. It creates a network of interwoven communities that strengthens Jewish Peoplehood by training local leaders to think globally and by cultivating meaningful partnerships around the world.

These lofty ideals are translated into a myriad of activities and programs, starting with recruiting and training global JCC leadership; strengthening their Jewish identity by learning about Jewish communities around the world; and honing their leadership skills. The result is Jewish leaders who think and act globally, as well as thousands of JCC members who acquire longtime friends across the seas.

The power of the JCC Global network is exemplified in the response to the recent war in Ukraine. JCC Global had been working closely with dozens of JCCs in Ukraine and the region for many years. When the war broke out, JCC Global was quick to respond by offering educational, moral, and even financial support. The JCCs that had prior connections to peers around the world, thanks to JCC Global programs, were better equipped to weather the storm.

Several JCCs in the US, Israel and Latin America held fundraising campaigns to assist JCCs in Ukraine and the region. A few weeks ago, during Purim, the Balint Haz JCC in Budapest, Hungary hosted 120 members of the JCCs of Migdal Odessa, Mikolaev and Kherson for a three-day respite. It is only thanks to a robust network, cultivated for many years, that JCC Global was able to assist in times of crisis.

Innovative programming

The network has flourished thanks to the Amitim-Fellows program – a global leadership network whereby senior leaders from 65 JCCs in 15 countries created 21 global Jewish Peoplehood projects in local JCCs, engaging more than 15,000 JCC members worldwide. The program was launched in 2013 as a collaboration between JCC Global and 12 allied networks (including JCC Association of North America, Israel Association of Community Centers, American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, and the regional networks of JCCs in Latin America, Europe, and the Former Soviet Union.) The program was made possible thanks to a generous grant from UJA Federation of New York and was evaluated by Research Success Technologies Ltd.

Another example of innovative programming is the Dr. Mark Ramer JCC Global Hubs. The program was designed at the end of 2019 with the aim that the Hubs will charter a new path for networking. At that time, no one knew that in a few short weeks, a global pandemic would turn the world upside down for a long time. In less than three years, the Hubs trained 700 JCC leaders from 52 countries and 162 cities. Thus, the Dr. Mark Ramer JCC Global Hubs became a successful vehicle for support, enrichment, and networking. They expanded into new areas and have created a substantial body of knowledge that serves as a resource for the JCCs and Jewish communities, now and in the future.

In today’s world, where fear and mistrust often segregate and isolate, the Jewish Community Centers are the big tent under which a wide range of people congregate. JCCs provide services and programs that build and strengthen Jewish communal life and provide Jewish educational experiences to and for Jews and non-Jews of all ages and orientations. Therefore, JCCs are the ideal venue to integrate Jewish Peoplehood into the fabric of their institutions.

Weaving the connections between Jewish communities the world over, this meaningful encounter with “the other” is a source of hope. The possibility of seeing life through the lenses of different people in different countries helps defy stereotypes and builds bridges of understanding and support. These encounters not only widen the prism of Jewish possibilities, but also empower local communities. As Israel turns 75, Jewish Peoplehood has the potential to bring together Jews in Israel and around the world and ensure a thriving Jewish world.

For more information, visit the website >>

Click here for the print edition >>

Partnered with JCC Global