Israel/Overseas
Overseas Impact
Supporting Israel and Jews around the world has always been a priority for the Milwaukee Jewish community. Our work in Israel and overseas is accomplished primarily by two partner agencies. The American Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) is the world’s leading Jewish humanitarian assistance organization, impacting millions of lives in more than 70 countries today. The Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) works to connects Jews with Israel, with one another, with their heritage and with our collective future.
Local Impact
Our commitment to Israel also has a local impact. The Federation’s Israel Center creates personal connections between Israel and our local community through programs like Shlichut, which brings shilchim (emissaries) from Israel to live and work in our community. Milwaukee has the oldest continuous community Shlichut program in the United States.
Last year, the Israel Center made an impact by connecting our community with Israel:
- Distributed $15,500 in scholarships to help students study in Israel
- Created Israel Center programming enjoyed by 2,700 participants
- Connected 830 children to Israel through our Shin Shinim
- Engaged 1,300 individuals in observances of Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut
