We Believe

The Westchester Jewish Council is the central communicating, convening and safeguarding body for the county’s Jewish community, representing 130 Jewish organizations and serving 150,000 Jews. As Westchester’s Jewish community relations organization, the Council unites Westchester Jewry with the State of Israel, fosters communication among Jewish organizations and cultivates and strengthens relations with other ethnic groups, elected officials and the community at large. The Council encourages participation in Jewish life and supports and develops initiatives and programs that meet existing and emerging Jewish communal needs.

 

The Westchester Jewish Council is an IRS 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization.

 

Initially founded in 1975 as the Westchester Jewish Conference to organize the community’s response to the Yom Kippur War, the Council has subsequently evolved to become Westchester’s Jewish community relations organization, providing a myriad of services.  In addition, the Council serves as a facilitator to help build relationships both within and beyond the Jewish community.

 

Westchester County is the eighth largest Jewish county in the United States with nearly 150,000 Jews.  The community is served by approximately 60 synagogues and more than 80 Jewish organizations.  Our community is known for cohesiveness where the principles that unite the Jewish community win over those that may divide us.

 

We work closely with 130 member organizations to help them better engage Westchester Jewry.  We do this in tandem with both the lay and professional leadership of synagogues and Jewish institutions.  We connect, convene, and safeguard Westchester’s Jewish communities and strengthen relationships among Jews and our member organizations, all of Westchester to Israel, Jews and our member organizations to our elected officials, and Jews and our member organizations to other ethnic and faith-based individuals and organizations, as well as to the community at large.

 

The Westchester Jewish Council is a member of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, and a core partner of UJA-Federation of New York.