The Jewish Community Association of Greater Phoenix (Association) was established in 2012 with the combination of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix, the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center (VOSJCC) and the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus.
The vision was to leverage the synergies of each to drive engagement and growth not just within our walls but to the many Jewish organizations and synagogues throughout Phoenix, in Israel and around the world. Our mission is to “strengthen and sustain a vibrant, inclusive community that enriches lives through Jewish values, innovation and stewardship,” and we embrace that responsibility. We believe in the power of community. And we believe that together we can make our world a better place.
The Association serves as a resource to the community by maximizing the impact of the dollars raised to fund organizations and programs that make a difference in our community every day. Through the generosity of our donors, the Association raises funds through the Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs, which focuses on funding programs and organizations that care for people in need, and sustain and enhance Jewish life and identity. To ensure funds are put to the highest and best use, the Association has developed and implemented a system in which community volunteers and professional staff allocate funds to programs and organizations through a thoughtful process that emphasizes due diligence, evaluates the use of funds and requires measurable results.
The Association is also in a unique position to identify opportunities that may not be visible to the greater community, be it a newly formed organization or through the work of our planning task forces.
“The Association continues to build our relevance and impact on our community through our new initiatives of focused planning,” says Stuart Wachs, Association President & CEO. “The Association will be committing professional and volunteer leadership, resources and best practices from across the country to create strategic plans to build a more engaged and vibrant Jewish community as well as better serve those in need. The Association is here to plan for our future and to create the path for Phoenix to have a thriving and sustainable Jewish community.”
The Valley of the Sun JCC, a supporting organization of the Association, is also a vital resource for the community. The VOSJCC is a family-oriented facility that builds community through relationships and engagement in an all-inclusive environment through childcare, fitness, education and cultural arts programming. The VOSJCC offers an easy and engaging connection to Jewish culture and tradition for Jews of all ages. Studies have proven that the more exposure Jews have to Jewish education (formal, information or experiential) and positive Jewish experiences, the more likely they are to stay involved in Jewish life. We believe in the importance of Jewish education and sustaining and enhancing Jewish life and identity.
Wachs notes, “I am very excited about the future for the Phoenix Jewish community. We have seen a growing number of young adults getting engaged and involved in the community. As we reach out to the next generation of leaders, engage with and learn from them, our future is very bright.”
