About Us

 

Jewish Federation of Madison is part of the Jewish Federations of North America, a nationwide humanitarian network that serves millions of Jews and non-Jews every day around the world. The Jewish Federation network includes 146 independent Federations and a network of 300 smaller communities across the continent.

 

As part of the Federation community, Jewish Federation of Madison has been helping enrich Jewish life and assisting those facing hardship here at home and around the world since 1940.


Jewish Federation of Madison helps support more than 20 essential local programs and agencies, including the Hilde L. Mosse Gan HaYeled Preschool, Camp Shalom, Midrasha Hebrew High School, Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman Jewish Community Campus, University of Wisconsin Hillel, and Jewish Social Services.

Through its overseas partners, Jewish Federation of Madison also helps provide rescue, relief, and development programs and services to Jewish communities in need in Israel and 70 other countries, including the former Soviet Union, Latin America, Africa, and Central and Eastern Europe. Jewish Federation of Madison and its overseas partners also provide non-sectarian aid to overseas communities in times of crisis.

 

Top 2023 Moments: Take a look at some of the amazing moments we created together.

Our Mission

The mission of the Jewish Federation of Madison is to inspire, build, and sustain vibrant Jewish life by fostering diverse opportunities to connect at every age and mobilizing our community in common purpose, in Madison, Israel, and around the world.

Our History

The first Jews came to Madison - then a village of 2,300 - in the early 1850s. Today the Madison Jewish community numbers more than 5,000 individuals (not including the estimated 5,000 students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus).

Who We Fund

In a formal allocations process, volunteers determine how to distribute funds raised by the Annual Tzedakah Campaign by evaluating which local, national and international agencies and programs are most in need.

IN THE NEWS

Channel 27/ABC/WKOW | November 19
(Featured In Video)
Saturday's neo-Nazi march brings attention to dramatic rise in Wisconsin hate crimes

 

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | November 15, 2023
Rep. Mark Pocan's balancing act on Israel-Hamas war draws him into feud with pro-Israel group

 

UpNorthNews | November 6, 2023
Jewish Wisconsinites react to the concerning rise in antisemitic attacks

 

NBC15/WMTV | October 19, 2023
Israeli, Palestinian Madisonians react to Biden's decision to send aid to Israel

 

Wisconsin Public Radio | October 19, 2023
Wisconsinites with ties to Israel, Palestine feel unease and frustration over rhetoric around war

 

Wisconsin State Journal | October 11, 2023
'We are all frightened and horror-struck,' says Madison rabbi with family in Israel

 

Channel 3000 | October 10, 2023
'There's nowhere that's really safe': Israeli citizens, local family members share life during conflict

 

NBC15/WMTV | October 9, 2023
Madison Jewish leaders pray for peace, comfort at vigil Sunday night 

 

NBC15/WMTV | October 8, 2023
Vigil in Madison planned for Sunday amid Israel unrest, police ramps up patrol

 

Jewish Insider | January 13, 2022

Pocan pokes Israel - but where are his constituents?

 

The Cap Times | December 3, 2021

UW Hillel targeted with message on Israel-Palestine conflict

 

The Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle | June 28, 2021

Schools respond on Rosh Hashanah conflict; Statements mostly promise to review future calendars

 

Wisconsin State Journal | June 7, 2021

Summer camp is back this year - with some changes

 

News 3 Now / Channel 3000 | May 25, 2021

Madison's Jewish community responds to rise in anti-Semitic hate crimes, calls them 'nothing new'

 

Madison Commons | May 23, 2021

Despite pushback, UW-Madison will start classes on Rosh Hashanah this fall

 

The Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle | May 4, 2021

With antisemitism on the rise, the Jewish community worked to make Holocaust education a state requirement

 

Wisconsin State Journal | April 9, 2021

Jewish groups ask UW-Madison, other UW campuses to change next year's calendar

 

WORT FM's A Public Affair | May 2020

Our executive director, Alan Klugman, discussed the uptick in anti-Semitism as a guest, along with Aryeh Tuchman, associate director of the ADL‘s Center on Extremism. Listen Now >

 

Madison Magazine | May 2015

A Q&A With Dina Weinbach >

 

The Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle | April 27, 2015

Madison federation celebrates 75 years, seeks to engage new community members