What is the Jewish Federation?

The Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines is at the heart of the Greater Des Moines community, which includes Ames, Marshalltown, and other cities and towns in Central Iowa. The diverse efforts of individual organizations are coordinated, central fundraising is executed, and community planning and community relations activities are administered through the Federation.

The Federation serves as an effective voice representing Jewish interests from a position of combined strength. The Federation is a world of action and swift response, of patient planning and programming, of legal and educational efforts-all proven and innovative means to deepen our understanding and protect our rights within Central Iowa.

Des Moines is noted throughout the nation for its unusually high level of unity, regardless of congregational affiliation. Our members are uniquely committed and generous. Our leadership is drawn from a broad spectrum and is enhanced through the knowledge and skills of our highly professional staff. In addition to four major commissions, the Federation seeks to involve the community through the All-in-One campaign, community travel missions, planning and allocations, leadership development and publication of The Jewish Press.

In Israel, Federation funds help provide for health, social, and educational services for children, university and vocational students, families, the aged, and the handicapped. Our funds help to resettle new immigrants, to integrate disadvantaged families in underdeveloped areas, and to develop rural area settlements.

Around the world, Federation funds help to bring comfort through the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) to communities in 33 countries. Wherever Jews suffer from repression, JDC works behind the scenes to maintain our Jewish lifeline. Our investment here, in Israel, and throughout the world may have been expressed best by David Ben Gurion when he said that when you give to the Federation, you are giving "Not to charity but to life." YOU are the Federation.

It is through the involvement of people like you that we can meet our goal - to enrich and improve the quality of Jewish life in Des Moines, in Israel, and around the world. Please feel free to call us. We're here for YOU.