United Jewish Appeal-Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York, Inc.

In 1986, the United Jewish Appeal of Greater New York, which was internationally focused, and the Federation for the Support of Jewish Philanthropic Societies of New York City, which was concerned with local issues merged to form the United Jewish Appeal-Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York, Inc. ²

Background

The United Jewish Appeal-Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York, Inc. is a charity that raises and provides funds for caring for people in need, inspiring passion for Jewish life, and strengthening Jewish communities in New York and in Israel. ^{3 2}

The organization’s roots go back to 1917, with the creation of the Federation for the Support of Jewish Philanthropic Societies of New York. The United Jewish Appeal of Greater New York was founded in 1941. On July 1, 1986, the United Jewish Appeal and the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York merged. Morton A. Kornreich was named the first chair of the board of the newly formed UJA-Federation and remained in the position until 1988. Peggy Tishman was the first president of the new organization and held the job until 1989. ⁴

The organization is commonly known as the UJA-Federation of New York or UJA. ¹ The group says it is the world’s largest local philanthropy, funding a network of hundreds of nonprofits. It also provides seed funding for organizations’ work on specific issues. ⁵

The UJA says it has three main strategic planning priorities: It cares for people in need, and strengthens Jewish life through giving to organizations and specific projects in areas such as poverty, employment, mental health, deepening Jewish identity, and building Jewish community; it responds to crises by allocating funds to bring urgent relief to those on the ground and assist the long-term recovery; and it provides general operating support and oversight to 60 partner organizations in a network, and offers guidance and funding to many other nonprofits. ⁵

Philanthropy

The United Jewish Appeal-Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York funds nonprofits that serve both Jews and the broader New York community, including immigrants, seniors, Holocaust survivors, single parents, and people with autism and disabilities. ¹ Services it provides include housing, medical care, end-of-life care, mental health counseling, education, food programs, vocational education, and citizenship and acculturation skills. ¹

The group says it prioritizes the most pressing needs and strategizes to determine where to deliver funds for the greatest impact. ⁶ The organization promotes volunteerism and facilitates the recruitment and training of volunteers who serve clients at dozens of nonprofits. ¹

The organization works with hundreds of nonprofits that include social service agencies, Jewish day schools, Jewish community centers, summer camps, and Hillel organizations in New York, in Israel, and in other countries. ⁷

The organization responds to crises, supporting programs that provide critical aid to residents of New York City, Westchester County, and Long Island. ¹

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the UJA provided more than $34 million in grants and loans. The first round was $23 million. The recipients included the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty to operate food pantries across New York and emergency Passover meals to more than 180,000 Jewish New Yorkers in need. The group also established a $20 million loan fund at the Hebrew Free Loan Society to offer zero-interest loans to UJA partner agencies, and $1 million in loan. It also gave $11 million in grants and loans to help single parents, assist low-income college students, help families struggling to provide dignified Jewish burials, and aid 22 regional Jewish Community Centers that provide human services and Jewish engagement opportunities. ⁸

After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, UJA Federation partner agencies helped provided support for families and survivors, and helped form the 9/11 United Services Group, a partnership of local social-service agencies. ⁴

Financial Information

In fiscal year 2023, the UJA’s total grant expenses were $185.3 Million. ⁵

The organization reports that it spent $39.2 million on mental health, $38.6 million combatting poverty, $70.1 million strengthening Jewish life, $22.2 million responding to antisemitism, and $15.1 million building coalitions and promoting inclusion. ⁵

Of its expenditures by region, the organization targeted the largest at $118.7 million for New York.  It spent $31.1 million on Israel, $9.7 million across the United States outside of New York, and $7.9 million internationally. ⁵

Israel Programs

The United Jewish Appeal-Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York, Inc. affirms that Israel is fundamental to the Jewish past, present, and future. The group says it donates to strengthen Israeli civil society. The UJA Federation of New York supports programs in Israel and in almost 70 other countries such as immigration to Israel by Jews living in at-risk communities, in the aftermath of natural disasters, and after acts of terrorism and wars in Israel and elsewhere. ³

The UJA provides funds for scholarships for Jewish students to travel to Israel. ¹

In April 2024, U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY), traveled to Israel in a trip sponsored by the UJA, his first trip to the country since the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks. ⁹

In February 2024, New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) sparked controversy when speaking at a UJA event in New York about the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel. The governor said, “If Canada someday ever attacked Buffalo, I’m sorry, my friends, there would be no Canada the next day. … That is a natural reaction. You have a right to defend yourself and to make sure that it never happens again. And that is Israel’s right.” She was accused of advocating for the destruction of the Palestinian territories and issued a statement apologizing that read: “While I have been clear in my support of Israel’s right to self-defense, I have also repeatedly said and continue to believe that Palestinian civilian casualties should be avoided and that more humanitarian aid must go to the people of Gaza.” ¹⁰

Leadership

Linda Mirels is the president of the United Jewish Appeal Federation of New York. She first joined the organization as an executive committee member in 1999 and was in several leadership positions. She is the chair of a diversified global investment company. She sits on the board of governors of the American Jewish Committee and the Metropolitan Opera of New York. She also advises her family foundation. ¹¹

Marc Rowan is the chair of the board of the United Jewish Appeal Federation of New York. Rowan is a co-founder and CEO of Apollo Global Management, Inc. He sits on the boards of Apollo Global Management, Inc., Athene Holding Ltd., and Athora Holding Ltd. He is the chair of the board of advisors of the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a founding member and chair of Youth Renewal Fund and vice chair of Darca, an Israel educational network operating 47 schools with over 27,000 students. He is also an executive committee member of the Civil Society Fellowship, a partnership of the Anti-Defamation League and the Aspen Institute. ¹¹

Eric Goldstein is the CEO of the United Jewish Appeal Federation who, as of July 2025, announced plans to step down from his position at the end of the fiscal year. ¹² Goldstein held this position since 2014. He was previously vice chair of UJA’s board and was a member of UJA’s executive committee. He was also the chair of UJA’s Lawyers Division, Commission on Jewish Identity and Renewal, and the Global Strategy Task Force. Before joining UJA, he was a leading partner at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. He was a founding board member of Yeshiva University’s Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and was president and chair of the board of Manhattan Day School, president of the Beth Din of America, and board member of the Ramaz School. He was a board member of the New York Legal Assistance Group. ¹¹