As the world’s largest local philanthropy, we respond quickly and effectively to the most pressing issues of the day — in New York, in Israel, and around the world. While helping the people of Israel heal and rebuild, here in New York we’re combating rising antisemitism, tackling poverty, and caring for the growing number of isolated elderly, including Holocaust survivors.
The Challenge: According to Columbia University’s Poverty Tracker, one in four New York City residents — over two million people — lived in poverty last year, double the national average.
The Response: To address the complex, intertwined challenges of poverty, UJA has developed an innovative response that puts dignity at the center: a state-of-the-art, one-stop social service "hub."
Operated by UJA’s nonprofit partner Commonpoint, the Jack & Shirley Silver Hub in Elmhurst, Queens, has helped thousands of New Yorkers with best-in-class vocational training and career services, including:
One standout offering is the Hub’s on-site culinary training kitchen, where students receive 12 weeks of hands-on technical instruction preparing them to work in a professional kitchen. Culinary students also get real-time experience alongside a professional team of chefs to fill orders and prepare meals for catering and delivery.
The Challenge: According to the New York City Department of Aging, approximately 22% of older adults indicated that they are not socializing with others as often as they would like, and 17% – nearly a fifth of older adults – reported relatively high levels of loneliness.
The Response: UJA has expanded its already robust suite of programs for older adults to include the The Selfhelp Virtual Senior Center, a state-of-the-art online platform that features engaging content and discussions and allows older and homebound adults to connect and engage with each other through virtual and hybrid classes. From literature to technology, health to virtual travel, participants find intellectual and social stimulation and companionship.
With more than 5,000 classes per year and 250+ instructors, the Selfhelp Virtual Senior Center supports multiple languages, including English, Mandarin, Russian, Korean, Arabic, Hebrew, Vietnamese, and Spanish.
For more than a century, UJA has been a proud beneficiary of The New York Times Communities Fund, formerly known as The New York Times Neediest Cases Fund.
Campaign funds have enabled us to provide cash assistance to New Yorkers facing hardship served by our network of hundreds of nonprofits. Today, as The New York Times Communities Fund evolves to focus on education, we’re delighted to participate in directing funds raised to two rapidly growing areas of need: vocational and job training and continued learning for older adults.
We’re immensely proud to be part of The New York Times Communities Fund — giving powerful voice to the struggles of those who might otherwise remain largely invisible. Our partnership represents the best of a compassionate, global community that is working together to build a better world.
— Eric S. Goldstein, CEO, UJA-Federation of New York.
Caring for Jews everywhere and New Yorkers of all backgrounds, responding to crises close to home and far away, and shaping our Jewish future.
Support UJA's WorkNearly
pounds of food distributed to hungry New Yorkers
Nearly
dedicated to meet the needs of the last generation of Holocaust survivors
Nearly
hours of mental health services provided in New York and globally
More than
hours of pro bono legal aid to New Yorkers
More than
seniors participated in social/recreational and wellness programs in New York and globally.
lives changed through our work each year
Big challenges need big solutions. With hundreds of nonprofits in our network, we’ve got the leverage and relationships to move quickly and effectively to respond to ongoing needs and emerging issues. As the ultimate connector, we’re able to harness talent across our network to tackle the most pressing issues of the day.
War in Israel. Natural disasters. Antisemitic attacks in our own backyard. We’ve proven we can respond on multiple fronts simultaneously and at a moment’s notice. And though we can’t know what will strike next, we can be ready.
As a community convener, we bring together diverse Jewish voices around issues of common cause. We offer a safe, welcoming, inclusive communal space, an antidote to societal divisiveness and incivility. And that has never mattered more.
