Federation Impact

Helping a Holocaust Survivor Manage Trauma and Dental Care

Golda lost all of her teeth after surviving a concentration camp and living in war-torn Europe. Afraid to go to the dentist all her life, she suffered from poor nutrition and the social isolation that resulted from embarrassment and poor speech.

For Golda, the dental office—with its loud …

A Couple Finds Connection with Music

A Klezmer band plays the traditional melodies of Eastern Europe. People clap and move their bodies to the lively rhythms of their past. Others, hearing familiar words, join their voices. Boris, a Holocaust survivor who comes weekly to this music program, sits up front.

The healing qualities…

Supporting Survivors on International Holocaust Remembrance Day


International Holocaust Remembrance Day falls annually on January 27. Enabling Holocaust survivors and other vulnerable seniors to live with greater comfort and dignity continues to be a key Federation priority – both here at home and across the globe. The Amigour Housing Program, suppo…

In Mexico City, Back to School is Everything for this Jewish Wunderkind

Alberto Buzali Berner is one of Mexico City's most accomplished young engineers. He's an award-winning innovator in robotics. He's also helped implement a biodiesel program that fuels local school buses.

And he just celebrated his 18th birthday.

"Since I was a child I've liked technology, …

Spotlight on Chicago: Local Federation Leaders attend JFNA's FedLab

David Brown and Wendy Abrams can tell you that FedLab, a deep dive laboratory, wasn’t an ordinary conference.

Nor was it designed to be.

Last winter, the leadership of the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) asked themselves, “What would happen if, instead of our annual General …