Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut

What Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut does

The Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut (JFEC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Norwich, Connecticut, serving as the central convener and umbrella body for Jewish communities across Eastern Connecticut. Founded more than 50 years ago, JFEC connects community members to resources locally, in Israel, and across 70 countries through affiliations with The Jewish Federations of North America and the Jewish Agency for Israel. Its core programs span community outreach, youth programming (PJ Library), Holocaust education, the Israel and Overseas partnership with the Afula Gilboa region, the annual International Jewish FilmFest, the Regional CT Security Initiative, and content platforms including The Jewish Leader newspaper and JFEC Blog. The organization maintains partnerships with synagogues (Temple Bnai Israel, Temple Emanu-el, Temple Beth El), Secure Community Network, the Southern New England Consortium, and Encountering Programs/Strochlitz Holocaust Resource Center.

JFEC operates without proprietary technology infrastructure, relying on third-party platforms for donation processing (The Auxilia), email outreach (Constant Contact), and web hosting (Fed Web platform). Its business model is community philanthropy: the Annual Campaign carries a $450,000 goal (with $310,000 raised as of December 2023), supplemented by Tikkun Olam general giving, corporate partnerships, tributes, planned giving and endowment, IRA charitable rollovers, and rapid-response emergency appeals such as the $77,000 Israel Emergency Fund following October 7, 2023. Approximately 10 staff members deliver programming under Executive Director Rachel Levy, with a Board led by President Scott Wolfe. Most events and programs are free, with occasional optional paid components (e.g., $20 board meeting dinner). The Federation's value proposition centers on community coordination, security infrastructure, Israel engagement, Holocaust education, and youth and family programming for a multigenerational Jewish population.

Name

Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut

Legal name

Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut

Website

https://jfec.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Norwich, CT, serving as the umbrella convener for the region's Jewish community through fundraising, community programming, Israel partnerships, Holocaust education, youth services, and a regional security initiative.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Community Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Cultural Centers & Community Cultural Organizations (BPAGAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Cultural Festivals & Events Organizations (BPAGAHAG)

Keywords

• Jewish community services
• Nonprofit fundraising
• Holocaust education
• Community outreach programs
• Religious community support

Headquarters

HQ city

Norwich

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Annual Campaign Donations: The primary fundraising mechanism providing basic infrastructure to support the Jewish community. Delivers vital funding to sustain the Federation and its partners, ensuring critical programs and services are available. Campaign goal of $450,000 with $310,000 raised as of late 2023.
2. Tikkun Olam (General Donations): General giving program allowing donors to contribute any amount to support the Jewish community in Eastern Connecticut, Israel and around the world.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Sponsorship packages for businesses of all sizes to support causes reflecting their values and promote dedication to the Jewish community among Federation's donors, leaders and volunteers.
4. Tributes & Legacy Gifts: Donations made in honor or memory of loved ones, including baby naming gifts through PJ Library subscriptions.
5. Planned Giving and Endowment: Legacy gifts established to support Jewish life for generations. Can be made outright during lifetime or through planned giving vehicles. Supports existing programs and new approaches to emerging needs.
6. IRA Charitable Rollovers: Tax-advantaged giving opportunity for individuals age 70½ or older, allowing direct distribution of up to $100,000 to the Jewish Federation. Counts toward required minimum distribution.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut serves as a community convener and umbrella organization for Eastern Connecticut's diverse Jewish communities. It delivers programs including community outreach, youth programming (PJ Library), Israel and overseas partnerships, Holocaust education, security coordination, and annual cultural events like the Jewish FilmFest. The organization funds these programs through an Annual Campaign, planned giving, corporate partnerships, IRA charitable rollovers, and other donations.

Product overview

The Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut operates as a community hub offering a unified portfolio of programs and services rather than a technology product. Core offerings include community outreach, youth programming (PJ Library), Israel and overseas partnerships, Holocaust education through the Resource Center, and an annual film festival. The organization provides digital services including a community calendar, blog, newspaper (The Jewish Leader), and security alerts system. Fundraising programs include the Annual Campaign, planned giving/endowment, IRA charitable rollovers, and corporate partnerships. All programs collectively support the organization's mission of building a vibrant, engaged, inclusive, and sustainable Jewish community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Jewish Leader: Monthly community newspaper published by JFEC serving Eastern Connecticut Jewish communities.
• JFEC Blog
• PJ Library
• Holocaust Resource Center

Products and services

• Community Outreach Community engagement programs connecting Jewish community members with resources, support services, and social opportunities in Eastern Connecticut.
• Youth Programming
• Israel and Overseas Programs
• Holocaust Resource Center
• Jewish FilmFest Annual international Jewish film festival showcasing dramatic and documentary feature-length films with Jewish content.
• Security Alerts System
• Annual Campaign Annual fundraising campaign providing infrastructure support for the Jewish community, with a goal of $450,000.
• Planned Giving and Endowment
• IRA Charitable Rollovers
• Corporate Partnerships
• Jewish Leader Newspaper

Quantifiable outcome

• Raised $310,000 toward $450,000 Annual Campaign goal
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Jewish Federations of North AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated national organization providing support, resources, and connection to broader Federation network. Executive Director Rachel Levy previously served as consultant for this organization, traveling to 22+ states.
• Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership region includes Afula Gilboa in Israel. Executive Director participated in Joint Steering Committee delegations to the region. Supports Youth Futures program and small business loans through SparkIL.
• Southern New England Consortium (SNEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional consortium enabling pooled resources to impact thousands of people. Combined efforts with other federations for greater collective impact.
• Secure Community Network (SCN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial safety and security organization for North American Jewish community. Expanding Regional Security Initiative to Eastern CT with Regional Security Advisor Michael Shanbrom. Funded through $130 million LiveSecure Campaign.
• Jewish Federations of Greater New Haven and Western ConnecticutcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative consortium covering all Connecticut federations for unified security infrastructure. Eastern CT now part of existing security network alongside these federations.
• Encountering Programs / Strochlitz Holocaust Resource CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual dinner and educational programs for area teachers on Holocaust studies, fighting hate, and promoting human rights. Sponsored by JFEC and funded by Shine A Light grant.
• Youth FuturescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlagship program connecting youth at risk with mentors, providing emotional and psychological support for middle school children while connecting with families and teachers.
• Emek Medical Center in AfulaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospital in partnership region receiving support and visit from Federation leadership.
• SparkILminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmall business loan program providing support to entrepreneurs in Israel partnership region like Idan's dried fruit factory.
• Hadassah Henny Simon RemembranceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Community Yom HaShoah program commemorating Holocaust victims and survivors.
• Temple Bnai IsraelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor synagogue partner hosting 198+ annual events. Coordinates multi-congregation events including Tish'ah B'Av Lamentation. Contact: Jeremy Schwartz at 860-423-3743.
• Temple Emanu-elcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSynagogue where Board President Scott Wolfe previously served as president (1994-1998). Hosting location for March for Israel departure and Yom HaShoah programs.
• Temple Beth ElminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSynagogue where new PJ Library Coordinator Liza Miller serves on board's membership and programming committees.
• Afula GilboacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister-city partnership region in Israel. Ambassador mission visited to learn how communities coped since October 7. Personal connections with municipalities and organizations.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County: Regional Jewish federation running the same convener, Annual Campaign, security, and Israel-partnership model as JFEC, but in a very different demographic/geographic context — useful as a structural comparator.
• Combined Jewish Philanthropies: Regional Jewish federation serving Greater Boston — same operating model (Annual Campaign, partner allocations, Israel/JAFI partnerships) as JFEC, providing a regional benchmark for federation scale and programming.
• Jewish Federation of Western Connecticut: Another Connecticut-based regional Jewish federation explicitly cited as a consortium partner with JFEC for unified security infrastructure and cross-regional programming collaboration.
• Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford: Regional Connecticut Jewish federation offering a directly comparable set of programs (Annual Campaign, Israel partnerships, Holocaust education, security) to JFEC's portfolio.
• Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven: Sister Connecticut federation serving nearby New Haven-area Jewish community; explicitly mentioned as a co-coordinator of the Regional CT Security Initiative alongside JFEC, with shared security advisor coverage.

Broad incumbents

• The Jewish Agency for Israel: International partner organization connecting JFEC to Israel programs (Youth Futures, SparkIL, emissaries) and providing the institutional pathway for JFEC's sister-city Afula Gilboa relationship.
• Jewish Federations of North America: National umbrella federation to which JFEC is affiliated; provides shared infrastructure, advocacy, and LiveSecure Campaign security funding that underpins JFEC's expanded security initiative.
• Anti-Defamation League: National Jewish organization operating in adjacent community-security and antisemitism-education space; relevant comparator for the Holocaust Resource Center and security-advisory programming JFEC runs.
• UJA-Federation of New York: Largest U.S. Jewish federation operating the same Annual Campaign and partner-allocation model as JFEC, but at vastly greater scale; Rachel Levy previously served in UJA-affiliated roles, underscoring direct career lineage.

Emerging players

• Hillel International: Jewish youth-education organization addressing a related but distinct segment (college students) to JFEC's PJ Library/youth programming; useful comparator for engagement models with younger Jewish demographics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/jfec06320
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@jewishfederationofeasternc7631
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• Instagraminstagram.com/jewishnewlondon
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/jewish-federation-of-eastern-connecticut

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut