Jewish Funds for Justice (JFSJ) was created in 2006 when its
legacy organizations, The Shefa Fund and Jewish Fund for Justice, merged. Before
the merger, each legacy organization had a distinct record of accomplishment
as a public foundation committed to using Jewish resources to bring about social
change.
Jewish Fund for Justice (JFJ) was founded in 1984 to fill a crucial void in Jewish philanthropy. Although Jews as individuals had been leading supporters of efforts to end the injustice of poverty in America, no national grantmaking institution existed whereby Jews could express their commitment to advancing social and economic justice for all Americans. Since its founding, JFJ assisted more than 500 groups that are fighting poverty in America.
The Shefa Fund was established in 1988 to organize Jewish individuals, organizations, and foundations to use their financial assets to build community and foster justice. Money is a powerful tool for change. The Shefa Fund drew on centuries of Jewish economic teachings and combines them with contemporary principles of social responsibility to guide the way we understand and use money. Its goal was to implement throughout American Jewish life the highest degree of tzedakah, which it defined as partnership and investment, not merely charity.
Since 2006, JFSJ has continued the work of both legacy organizations, while spearheading a rethinking of Jewish efforts to bring about social change and developing innovative new programming.
Jewish Fund for Justice (JFJ) was founded in 1984 to fill a crucial void in Jewish philanthropy. Although Jews as individuals had been leading supporters of efforts to end the injustice of poverty in America, no national grantmaking institution existed whereby Jews could express their commitment to advancing social and economic justice for all Americans. Since its founding, JFJ assisted more than 500 groups that are fighting poverty in America.
The Shefa Fund was established in 1988 to organize Jewish individuals, organizations, and foundations to use their financial assets to build community and foster justice. Money is a powerful tool for change. The Shefa Fund drew on centuries of Jewish economic teachings and combines them with contemporary principles of social responsibility to guide the way we understand and use money. Its goal was to implement throughout American Jewish life the highest degree of tzedakah, which it defined as partnership and investment, not merely charity.
Since 2006, JFSJ has continued the work of both legacy organizations, while spearheading a rethinking of Jewish efforts to bring about social change and developing innovative new programming.
