During the fall of each year, volunteers from all parts of the Madison Jewish community offer every community member an opportunity to make a contribution to the Jewish Federation of Madison Tzedakah Campaign. In a formal allocations process, volunteers determine how to distribute these funds by evaluating which agencies and programs are most in need.

Jewish Federation of Madison helps support these agencies and programs:

For our children

Camp Shalom: In its sixth decade, offers summer experiences for more than 900 campers of all religions and ethnicities and provides scholarships for low-income families

Chug Ivrit/Hebrew Club After-School Program: Teaches Hebrew to children in grades K-5 in a fun, informal setting

Hilde L. Mosse Gan HaYeled Preschool: In its fourth decade, educates more than 100 children year-round and provides scholarships for low-income families

The Madison Jewish Community Day School: Works with students to develop a capacity for critical thinking, a connection to their Jewish heritage, and a profound sense of community and responsibility. MJCDS is pluralistic, egalitarian and committed to fostering a lifelong love of learning. More info

Midrasha Hebrew High School: Jointly sponsored by Jewish Federation of Madison, Beth Israel Center, and Temple Beth El, educates more than 100 students each school year and provides $2,000 incentive scholarships to graduating seniors to pursue Jewish education after high school.

Yonim Israeli Dance Troupe: Yonim dancers in kindergarten through 12th grade share their enthusiasm for Israeli Folk Dance during weekly rehearsals and several performances around Madison and elsewhere. More info

For our college students

Hillel at the University of Wisconsin: One of the country’s preeminent Hillel Foundations, offers social, educational, cultural, and religious activities to the UW’s 5,000 Jewish students

Taglit-birthright Israel: Jointly sponsored by Jewish Federation of Madison and other North American Federations, the government of Israel, and private Jewish philanthropists, provides free, first-time peer group educational trips to Israel for Jewish young adults ages 18 to 26

Chabad of Madison at the University of Wisconsin: Dedicated to serving Jews throughout the university, Madison, and Dane County regardless of background and affiliation

For our individuals & families

Jewish Social Services: In its third decade, provides services to as many as 1,000 individuals and agencies annually in the Jewish and general communities

Jewish education teacher training: Organizes and sponsors an annual teachers’ convention for local Jewish educators and offers subsidies for conference and courses, including the Laurence A. Weinstein Jewish Education Fellowship at the UW-Madison

Jewish family educational and social programs: Year-round activities including Tot Shabbats, swim parties, and holiday events and celebrations

The Road Home: Provides emergency shelter and other services for homeless families with children from the general community through a network of churches and synagogues

For our local community

The Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman Jewish Community Campus: The 154-acre home of Camp Shalom and the center for year-round community recreational, educational, and social activities

The Goodman Aquatic Center: Our 5,500 square foot outdoor pool with six 25-meter competition lanes and zero depth entry, used by more than 6,000 swimmers each summer from the Jewish and general communities

The Minkoff Center: Our year-round 12,000 square-foot recreation and education center, including a kosher kitchen, showers, and meeting space

Madison Jewish News: Our free monthly newspaper for the entire Jewish community

Community Shaliach/Israel Program Specialist: Provides educational programming for the entire community and serves as an advocate for Israel within the Jewish and broader community

Yom Hashoah: Annual Holocaust Memorial Program

Yom Ha’Atzmaut: Israel Independence Day Annual celebration

Hava Nagila Annual Community Picnic: The end-of-summer event at the Goodman Campus attended by more than 1,000 community members

Wisconsin Jewish Conference: Serves as a resource, advocate, and clearinghouse to address important public policy issues for local Jewish communities throughout the state

Community Relations Committee: Serves as a liaison between the local Jewish community and the larger population

For our national community

Jewish Council for Public Affairs: Serves as the public affairs arm of the organized Jewish community

Anti-Defamation League: Fights anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry, defends democratic ideals, and safeguards civil rights for all in the U.S and abroad

Association of Jewish Family & Children’s Agencies: The national organization of  Jewish Family and Children’s Agencies and specialized Jewish human service agencies

National Hillel Foundation for Jewish Campus Life: Provides opportunities for Jewish students to explore and celebrate their Jewish identity

B’nai B’rith Youth Organization: Provides opportunities for Jewish youth to develop their leadership potential, a positive Jewish identity, and commitment to their personal development

For our worldwide community

Jewish Agency for Israel: Provides social welfare and refugee rescue and resettlement programs in Israel, including education, job training, and new business loans to struggling new immigrants

America Jewish Joint Distribution Committee: Provides relief, rescue and renewal programs to Jewish communities in 60 countries and non-sectarian aid to general communities in times of crisis

Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society: Provides essential lifesavings services to world Jewry through its mission of rescue, reunion, and resettlement