After breaking its own records for fundraising last year, the Jewish Federations of North America will commence its General Assembly this week to plan for the Jewish future under the shadow of Israel’s ceasefire with Gaza, rising global antisemitism and political developments in the United States under President Donald Trump — including the recently ended longest government shutdown ever and another potential shutdown looming when the funding agreement expires at the end of January.

More than 2,000 Jewish communal leaders are expected to take part in the General Assembly between November 16 and 18 in Washington, DC, according to the event’s website. JFNA represents 141 Jewish federations in communities across North America.

The federations raised some $3 billion in 2024 — about $1 billion more than in a typical year, the organization said in a November 11 press release. That included $683 million in Israeli Emergency Campaign funds raised during the year, out of a total $908 million raised since the Hamas-led onslaught on Israel on October 7, 2023. It also raised $1.1 billion through its annual campaign, a 7.3% year-over-year increase, the JFNA said.

“In this unique moment in Jewish history, we have seen both an incredible surge within our community on ways to engage Jewishly, alongside an amazing desire to strengthen the community through giving,” said JFNA Chair Gary Torgow in the........

© The Times of Israel