JEWISH BROWARD HISTORY

What is known today as the Jewish Federation of Broward County began as two separate Jewish Federations, the Jewish Welfare Federation of Hollywood and the Jewish Federation of Greater Fort Lauderdale. The Jewish Welfare Federation of Hollywood was founded on March 19, 1943 by eight men and $9,000, which were raised by the Jewish community. By 1990 the Jewish Welfare Federation of Hollywood became known as the Jewish Federation of South Broward and raised more than $5.5 million and had a staff of more than 40 people.  

In 1967, the Jewish Federation of Greater Fort Lauderdale was founded in response to the Six Day War in order to serve the growing Jewish community in East Broward. The Jewish Federation of Greater Fort Lauderdale played a significant role in the founding of Jewish institutions such as the David Posnack Hebrew Day School and the Jewish Adoption and Family Care Options (JAFCO), who received their first grant from the Federation. In June 1977, the Federation launched the Senior Hot Kosher Meal Program, a program that has remained and expanded until today. As the Federation celebrated their 20th anniversary in 1987, their Campaign reached $6.5 million from 30,000 donors.  

After many long conversations, the community leaders of both Federations realized that due to their close geographical location, much of their work was overlapping. In 1996, the decision was made to merge the Jewish Federation of South Broward with the Jewish Federation of Greater Fort Lauderdale, becoming known as the United Jewish Community of Broward County (UJCBC). This alliance of Federations and Jewish organizations was created to act collectively and responsibly to meet the needs and safeguard the freedoms of the Jewish community locally, in Israel and around the world.

The UJCBC reached out to all segments of Broward's unique and diverse Jewish population and enhanced the quality of Jewish life by supporting a broad range of social services, two senior centers, several Jewish day schools, and two Jewish Community centers. UJCBC's overseas partners, the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), bring food, home health assistance, community services as well as rescue and migration assistance to Jews in need in Israel and around the world.

Today, UJCBC is known as the Jewish Federation of Broward County, which supports and safeguards the Jewish community locally, in Israel and in over 75 countries around the world.

Today, the Federation's strategic funding leverages our collaborative human and financial resources to create maximum impact. By combing the revenue streams from the Campaign, Designated Funds and the Jewish Community Foundation's Unrestricted Funds, Restricted Special Purpose Funds, ACE and LOJ Endowments, and Philanthropic Funds, over $16 Million was distributed during the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Our Jewish Community Foundation of Broward County also was formed through the merging of the Foundation's of the Jewish Federation of South Broward and the Jewish Federation of Greater Fort Lauderdale, without the vision and leadership of these two Foundations our united Jewish Community Foundation would not be where it is today. As of May 31, 2018 the Foundation holds $110 million in investable assets, ensuring the future of our Jewish community and creating a legacy for each of its donors. Together with the Broward County Jewish community, the Jewish Federation of Broward County and the Jewish Community Foundation is making a true impact each and every day.