Who We Are

About the Federation

The Federation was organized in 1921, primarily as a welfare and relief organization to coordinate work and communal fund raising for the entire Jewish community. In 1939, Fort Wayne employed its first executive director. In subsequent years the Federation developed into a multi-faceted organization serving young and old in the areas of social services, education and cultural programs, leadership development, community relations, and fund raising. The Jewish Federation of Fort Wayne (JFFW), formerly known as the Fort Wayne Jewish Federation (FWJF), was one of the founding agencies of the Community Chest. The Federation is considered a community leader in the efforts to reduce and eliminate prejudice.

Today, the Federation serves as the central coordinating, fund raising, budgeting, and social planning agency for the Fort Wayne Jewish community. The Federation is a volunteer organization assisted by a trained professional staff. It is affiliated with the Jewish Federations of North America, a national association of 180 Jewish Federations serving communities in the U.S. and Canada.

Federation Campaign

Raising funds to finance human services at home, in Israel, and around the world is a fundamental Federation purpose. The annual JFNA/Federation Campaign raises money for the Jewish Agency for Israel, the American Joint Distribution Committee, beneficiaries including community relations organizations, overseas, cultural, religious, regional and national agencies, and the local Federation operation.

Camp Joe Levine

Camp Joe Levine is our summer day camp program for 3 weeks in July at beautiful Fox Island.

Endowment

Endowment gifts and bequests to the Federation Endowment Fund keep alive the memory and values of the donor while assisting our Jewish community.

PJ Library

The PJ Library provides your family with a FREE treasury of Jewish books and music.  Each enrolled child  (age through 8) will receive a monthly gift of a high-quality, age-appropriate Jewish book or CD as well as a reading guide to enhance your family’s experience. It’s easy to enroll!!  You may call our office at 260-456-0400 or go to their website at www.pjlibrary.org.

Thoughtful Thursdays

Our federation’s commitment to social action focuses on a variety of projects in the spirit of tikkun olam to help the community and world.

Our ongoing Thoughtful Thursdays program in partnership with Congregation Achduth Vesholom and Congregation B’nai Jacob helps 72 low-income children and their families who attend Head Start in the Temple building. 

Vision, Mission, Values

The Vision of the Jewish Federation of Fort Wayne is that all Jewish people of greater Fort Wayne will find social, cultural and educational relevancy to their Jewish lives at the Federation. The Federation will make ALL Jews feel welcome.

The Mission of the Jewish Federation of Fort Wayne is to support the well-being and continuity of the Jewish people in greater Fort Wayne, in Israel, and throughout the world.

The Values of the Jewish Federation of Fort Wayne are:

  • Tikkun Olam
  • Tzedakah
  • Social Justice
  • Economic Equality
  • Celebrating & respecting culture
  • Inclusiveness
  • Education
  • Enjoying life
  • Reinforcing & strengthening our connection to Israel
  • Strengthening our belief that the children are OUR future

Jewish Federation of Fort Wayne
5200 Old Mill Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46807
Tel: 260.456.0400
Fax: 260.456.0500

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Cailights is the Jewish Federation of Fort Wayne’s official newsletter. 

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