The Jerusalem Post: Activating Jewish Service Through Partnerships, Collaboration
Originally published on January 28, 2026 in The Jerusalem Post, “Activating Jewish Service, Collaboration” written by President and CEO of Jewish Federations of North America Eric Fingerhut, CEO of Repair the World Cindy Greenberg, and President and CEO of Hillel International Adam Lehman, discusses the importance of Jewish volunteer service as a pathway to belonging and community building. Here are excerpts from their piece.
“Volunteer service has long been one of the Jewish community’s most powerful tools for embodying our values, creating connection, and building resilience. Today, as we navigate a world shaped by rising antisemitism, polarization, and profound communal challenges, Jewish service is both an antidote to isolation and an opportunity to make a measurable difference for both the Jewish community and the broader world.
Over the past several months, we have seen firsthand how service can be a transformative entry point into Jewish identity and community – especially when it’s integrated across the ecosystem of Jewish institutions. What if Jewish service becomes a core element of how Hillels, JCCs, Federations, synagogues, and camps engage their people and build Jewish life?
That vision is already coming to life thanks to strategic collaborations between more than 60 organizations, including Repair the World, Jewish Federations of North America, and Hillel International – the organizations we are privileged to lead. Our partnership is powered by the Jewish Service Alliance, which was founded in 2020 to meet urgent needs during the COVID-19 crisis.
Since that time, the JSA has grown into a dynamic coalition of Jewish communal partners uniting through volunteer service to inspire Jewish life, deepen Jewish education, and strengthen communities. Together, the JSA has engaged nearly 400,000 participants in nearly 700,000 acts of service and learning across 35+ states and 10 countries. This movement is meeting urgent needs and sparking Jewish learning and identity development, where Jews find purpose, connection, and a renewed sense of belonging.”