IMPACT The Global Jewish Community

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)
Since 1914, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Inc. (JDC) has served as the overseas arm of the American Jewish community. The mission of JDC is to serve the needs of Jews throughout the world, particularly where their lives as Jews are threatened or made more difficult.

JDC sponsors programs of relief, rescue and renewal and help Israel address its most urgent social challenges. JDC is committed to the idea that all Jews are responsible for one another.

Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI)
JAFI has three areas of focus:
• Aliyah: bring a substantial number of Jews to live in Israel and ensure their successful integration.
• Jewish-Zionist Education: connect the next generation with Israel and Jewish peoplehood to be a core part of Jewish identity.
• Partnerships with Israel: involve world Jewry with Israelis to further shape the future character of Israeli society.

Local partnerships: Odessa, Ashkelon

Ashkelon
In 2003, THE ASSOCIATED: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore launched a partnership with Ashkelon, giving the Baltimore Jewish community a wonderful opportunity to bond with our brothers and sisters in Israel.

Improving social services, Jewish education and health care; building Jewish identity and fostering leadership and volunteerism; increasing economic development; these are just a few of the areas where we are working to develop projects and programs to benefit the people of both communities—with the overall goal of strengthening relations among Jews in Israel and the Diaspora. Learn more.

Odessa
One of the shining stars in THE ASSOCIATED's overseas program has been our relationship with the Jewish community of Odessa, a port city in southwest Ukraine on the Black Sea, situated 275 miles south of Kiev.

Here in Baltimore, THE ASSOCIATED's Odessa Committee works with the JDC and Odessa's Jewish community to promote initiatives that focus on education, humanitarian concerns, arts and culture, leadership, volunteerism and community development. Learn more.