IN 1901, leaders from across the St. Louis Jewish community came together to strengthen support for social service organizations across the region. This collaboration created the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, a central philanthropic
and planning body dedicated to caring for those in need and sustaining Jewish life locally and beyond. Over the decades, the Federation has supported a network of vital community institutions—from social service agencies and educational programs to cultural and community centers. This year, the nonprofit is celebrating its 125th anniversary with a year-long commemoration, reflecting on its legacy while bringing the community together to build a brighter future for generations to come.
“Our mission is to mobilize the Jewish community, its people and financial resources to support one another, foster identity, combat antisemitism and ensure dignity for all,” Jewish Federation president and CEO Danny Cohn explains. “We are the central philanthropic and community planning organization dedicated to preserving Jewish life not only in St. Louis but also in Israel and worldwide.” The Federation supports more than 85 organizations, programs and synagogues; the majority of them located right here in St. Louis. Local nonprofits and programs have even evolved out of the Jewish Federation, including the St. Louis Jewish Light newspaper and St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum. The Jewish community also was instrumental in founding Jewish Hospital, which later merged to create Barnes-Jewish Hospital…