About JUF Top Trim
How We Help JUF provides vital points of discovery, learning, community and connection, and responds swiftly to crisis situations. At the center of Jewish Chicago, and in deep partnership with the 75+ agencies and initiatives we support, JUF’s work is made possible by generations of generosity, guided by Jewish values and the innate understanding that we must take care of our neighbors as ourselves.
COVID Action and Relief
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JUF provided $21.6 million in COVID relief funding across Chicagoland in five key areas: emergency financial aid; health & safety; expanded social services; organizational stability; and food assistance.

I'm grateful for the help, happy to be working again, and thankful to be back on my feet.

52-year-old who received support from The Ark
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This Is What We're Made For certainly rings true as domestic violence has increased and many find themselves in dire situations. JUF was there to help.

Carol Ruderman, Executive Director, SHALVA
Health and Security
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JUF meets the most fundamental needs of the community—feeding people when they are hungry, safeguarding sacred Jewish institutions and community spaces, providing emergency financial support when needed, and protecting the health and well-being of those in need of care and those who provide it.

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Increase in grocery distribution in response to an unprecedented need to fight hunger and food insecurity.

JUF purchased PPE, beyond what we had, for every single person who works at Sinai Chicago Hospital. Every doctor, nurse, housekeeper—everybody received new protective equipment.

Karen Teitelbaum, President, Sinai Chicago Hospital
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Jewish institutions are supported by JUF to maintain safety and security at schools, synagogues, community centers and camps.

Israel and Overseas
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JUF responds swiftly to those in need, and is fiercely committed to supporting the State of Israel and Jews in 70 countries across the globe. JUF provides opportunities for Chicagoans to travel to Jewish communities around the world to see JUF’s impact and dollars at work.
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3,000 people on average travel to Israel each year on JUF supported programs to see the organization’s impact, make new friends and explore Jewish history.

I received many tools as part of a STEM education project, and now teach as one should in the 21st century.

Teacher in Kiryat Gat, JUF Partnership Together region
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Jewish Experiences
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JUF is committed to strengthening Jewish knowledge and identity, and to building an unbreakable connection to community. From baby to bubbe, JUF is inspiring the next generation of leaders, thinkers and responsible citizens of the world.

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$2,000

Up to $2,000 is offered through a JUF Right Start voucher for Jewish preschool, helping families start their child's Jewish journey and connection to community.

YLD has been a natural place to find my voice, connection to a larger community and friends who care as deeply as I do about making the world a better place.

Alison, 2021 Young Leadership Division Campaign Chair
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CJE SeniorLife’s Virtual Senior Center is a fantastic program that lets me make good friends and is a wonderful learning experience.

Richard, client of CJE SeniorLife
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
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JUF takes great pride in fostering a warm and welcoming community, engaging people of all ages, abilities and identities. We stand up to embrace communities rooted in inclusion and respect, and stand strong to combat antisemitism, inequities and hate of any kind.

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How would a queer, interfaith family be accepted in the community? I can honestly say our family has been embraced. Now it’s our turn to welcome other new families into the mix.

Olga, jBaby parent ambassador
JUF is committed to serving people of all abilities with educational, vocational and social programs and experiences.
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Hillel was the way I found my own path to my Judaism.

Pierce, student at University of Illinois at Chicago
Advocacy and Engagement
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JUF engages all generations—young families, teens, college students, adults of all ages—through inspiring programs and life-enriching experiences that build community, continuity and connection.

I think it's important to volunteer, especially as Jews. It is our obligation to help people, and to teach kindness and empathy to our children.

TOV Network participant
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The Jewish Community Relations Council advocates for issues of concern to the Jewish community, influencing policy and ensuring that a Jewish voice is represented and heard.

Divestment is an emotionally charged topic on campus. It forced us to put aside some political differences to work together.

Jewish student at Northwestern University
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Read next Who We Are
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