In 1986, the merger of United Jewish Appeal of Greater New York with the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York (“Federation”) resulted in the creation of one organization that exists “To ensure the continuity of the Jewish People, to enhance the quality of Jewish life and to build a strong and unified Jewish community – in New York, in Israel and throughout the world.”
Beginning at the end of the 19th century the federation model was adopted by Jewish communal leaders around the country as a successful way to bring together affiliated social service agencies, consolidate their administrative functions, reduce duplication in services, raise funds efficiently and better serve the needs of the community. The Federation for the Support of Jewish Philanthropic Societies of New York City was formed in 1917.
In 1939, the leaders of three national Jewish organizations already involved with aiding Jewish refugees and immigrants formed United Jewish Appeal (UJA) in the days after Kristallnacht to combine efforts in aiding European Jews. By 1942 a local New York had office opened to solicit funds from the New York Jewish community. Eventually, by the early 1970s, it became clear that it would be more efficient to combine the local UJA and Federation campaigns. The UJA and Federation campaigns officially merged in 1974, and a final and complete merger of the two organizations occurred in 1986.
The combined organization at first maintained most of the existing organizational structure of both UJA and Federation: departments and committees continued the community services aspects of what had previously been Federation’s work with local agencies, and other departments and committees continued the overseas planning and programming in Israel and among Jewish communities in need around the world. Fundraising and campaigns, which had been merged in 1974, continued to raise funds in unified campaigns with one Distribution Committee allocating the funds according to a negotiated formula.
UJA-Federation has evolved through several strategic plans to adapt to a changing local Jewish community and a changing world. In 2015 its mission remains similar to what it was soon after the 1986 merger: “Through UJA-Federation of New York, you care for people in need, inspire a passion for Jewish life and learning, and strengthen communities in New York, in Israel, and around the world.”