The Greenville Jewish Federation is focused on creating a strong Jewish community through programming and services. Programs are designed to create unity and embrace Jewish identity, pride, and culture. Services are built to help meet the needs of our Jewish brethren at all ages and stages, regardless of affiliation or where they are from.
Our Mission
It's Simple
Promote the Jewish values of tikkun olam (repairing the world), Tzedakah (charity and social justice), and Torah (Jewish learning) through educational, social, and cultural programming for the Jewish community and their neighbors in the Upstate of SC and beyond.
How We Do What We Do
YOU, make it possible!
You and every Upstate, SC Jewish community resident are part of The Greenville Jewish Federation. We rely on our community to guide, attend, and help fund programs and services. Volunteers are needed to serve on the board and committees, help at planned programs and events, and help support services. The generous financial donations from within our community allow us to serve and oversee the allocation of funds to other deserving programs and agencies, furthering our mission outside and inside our community here in the Upstate.
Our History
It began in 1946
Now Greenville Jewish Federation, Inc., the organization was originally founded on March 23, 1946, as The Federated Jewish Charities Incorporated of Greenville, S.C. Max Heller was one of our founding directors along with Harry Fay, Nathaniel Kaplan, and Sidney Sohliefstein.
Prior to 2016, we operated as a membership-based organization, and we were 100% volunteer-led. Things changed when the Board at the time chose to make the PJ Library program professionally led and hired a part-time employee to manage subscriptions and programming for the families. Additionally, the community voted and approved a revision to the bylaws to remove membership with the Board managing operations and guiding the PJ Professional.
On May 16, 2023, the Board made another big vote and moved from being volunteer-led to professionally-led with the hiring of its first CEO. Over the past 77+ years, the organization has been supported predominantly through local community giving and participation. While some funding comes from grants and partnerships with regional and national organizations, the focus is on serving the Upstate of SC.
Supporting our Federation makes it possible for us to continue offering programs and services to the Jewish residents and greater community within Upstate, SC.
