The Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton is dedicated to making a significant impact in our community through a variety of initiatives. We are committed to enhancing security, providing support to those in need, and enriching the lives of young people through educational and recreational opportunities.
Annually, the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton raises $1,250,000 to support Jewish people- in Dayton, in Israel, and around the World with support from our incredible community.
We successfully raised $850,000 to support Israel as they rebuild after the atrocities of October 7, 2023.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton is the collective. We build thriving Jewish communities, not just in times of need, but everyday.
With the continued increase in antisemitism throughout the world, and the recent attack on Temple Israel in Bloomfield, Michigan, we have received some questions about the safety and security of our facility, staff, and the entire Dayton Jewish community. Now, more than ever, safety and security remain our highest priority. Security plays a role not just in event planning, but in our day-to-day operations as well. The Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton takes a proactive approach to safety and security. Our full-time Security Director John Davis, who served over 30 years with the Centerville Police, maintains regular communication with federal,...
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When I awoke on Saturday morning, I immediately saw on the news that Israel and the U.S. had launched an attack on Iran. We quickly shared a statement from Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) on our Facebook page. Later in the evening, we received notification from JFNA that they would hold a briefing the following day. Hopefully, many of you received our email notification with that information and were able to take part in the briefing. While normally we are able to share recordings from JFNA, they requested the recording of Sunday’s briefing not be posted or shared publicly....
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It’s hard to believe that in just five weeks, Spring will officially be here. The weather over the past month has been, well, let’s just say, interesting. I’m a big fan of snow, but I know I’m probably an exception to the rule. Between the snow and bitter cold temperatures, I’m sure cabin fever has set in for some people. The good news is temperatures are finally in a much more acceptable range, and the snow is slowly melting. If you are ready to get out of the house, the JCC has two events coming up that may be of...
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Since 1970, February has also been known as Black History Month. It serves as a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of African Americans throughout history, while also recognizing their struggles for acceptance and equality. Sadly, the Black community still experiences prejudice to this very day. As Jewish people, we too have experienced our own struggles with acceptance and equality. It was not too long ago that Jewish people were banned from living in certain communities or belonging to certain clubs. The latter was even a part of the storyline of S3, EP15 of The Golden Girls. The episode,...
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As we stand on the edge of 2026, I can’t help but reflect on the last year. It has been filled with ups and downs for many of us on a personal level, and as a Jewish community. As an organization, the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton and its Agencies have had a very busy year. Here are just a few highlights of what we accomplished in 2025: Since October 7, 2023, we have seen a significant increase in antisemitism throughout the world – including here in Ohio. What became evident in the wake of 10/7 was the need for...
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When I awoke on Sunday morning and heard the news about the horrific antisemitic attack at Bondi Beach in Australia, I was immediately overcome with sadness. Chanukah is supposed to be a joyous holiday ~ one where we gather with family and friends, recite special prayers, and enjoy delicious food. And that is what the people who gathered at Bondi Beach were planning to do. Instead, two cowardly terrorists took the lives of 15 innocent people and injured many more ~ all for simply being Jewish. My heart has felt heavy in the subsequent days. It doesn’t matter that the...
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