Jewish Federation of Madison

Jewish Federation of Madison Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Jewish Federation of Madison, Nonprofit Organization, Madison, WI.

Jewish Federation of Madison is part of the Jewish Federations of North America, a nationwide humanitarian network that serves millions of Jews and non-Jews everyday around the world.

Midrasha is getting ready to kick off a new year, and there is so much for Madison teens and families to look forward to...
08/25/2026

Midrasha is getting ready to kick off a new year, and there is so much for Madison teens and families to look forward to!

Jewish Federation of Madison is excited to welcome Allison Schoonover as the new Midrasha Director. Allison brings a love of learning, a passion for Jewish education, and a deep commitment to creating a space where Jewish teens can feel connected, supported, and excited to show up.

Midrasha begins on Wednesday, September 16, and is open to students in grades 8–12. Classes meet on Wednesday evenings, giving teens from across Jewish Madison a regular space for meaningful learning, friendship, conversation, and community.

This year’s program will include strong teachers, new opportunities for full-group activities, and core classes that help teens explore Jewish life in ways that feel relevant and engaging. Topics will include Comparative Judaism, Holocaust Studies, Current Events in Israel, and Jewish Life After High School, with electives still being finalized.

For Allison, Midrasha is about both learning and belonging. It is a place where teens can ask big questions, build friendships, connect with Jewish ideas, and spend time with other Jewish teens in a warm and welcoming environment.

We can’t wait to see what this new year brings.

If you have a teen in grades 8–12 who is ready for a meaningful Jewish experience this year, now is the time to register!

https://ow.ly/ThVH50ZFb7f

Shabbat Shalom from Jewish Federation of Madison. 💙As we enter the month of Elul, we begin a season of reflection, retur...
08/21/2026

Shabbat Shalom from Jewish Federation of Madison. 💙

As we enter the month of Elul, we begin a season of reflection, return, and preparation for the year ahead.

Elul invites us to pause and ask: How do we want to show up for one another? What kind of community do we want to build? Where can we bring more care, connection, generosity, and hope?

Here in Jewish Madison, those questions are not abstract. They live in the ways we care for our neighbors, welcome new families, support our children and teens, gather safely, stand with Israel and Jewish communities around the world, and strengthen Jewish life together.

As Shabbat arrives, may this be a moment to breathe, reflect, reconnect, and enter this season with open hearts.

Shabbat Shalom, and may this month of Elul bring meaning, renewal, and connection to all of Jewish Madison.

When you give to Jewish Federation of Madison, your impact reaches far beyond Madison.Through our investment in partners...
08/18/2026

When you give to Jewish Federation of Madison, your impact reaches far beyond Madison.

Through our investment in partners like JDC, our community helps support Jewish life, connection, and belonging around the world.

One powerful example is Camp Szarvas, JDC’s international Jewish summer camp in Hungary, where more than 1,400 young Jews from over 25 countries come together each year to experience Jewish joy, friendship, leadership, and pride.

For many campers, it is one of the only places where they can live fully and openly in a Jewish community. One camper shared that Szarvas is where he feels free to express his Jewish identity and where Jewish joy “lights me up.”

This is what Federation makes possible.

Your gift helps strengthen Jewish life here in Madison and connects us to Jewish communities around the world, supporting stories of resilience, belonging, and Jewish future.

Together, we strengthen Jewish Madison, Israel, overseas, and Jewish communities worldwide.

Learn more about Szarvas' story in the video linked in the comments section.

A little music, a little joy, and a moment to pause before Shabbat. 💙As we head into the weekend, we’re grateful for the...
08/14/2026

A little music, a little joy, and a moment to pause before Shabbat. 💙

As we head into the weekend, we’re grateful for the songs, traditions, and moments of connection that bring Jewish Madison together.

May this Shabbat bring rest, warmth, and a sense of community to all who need it.

Shabbat Shalom from Jewish Federation of Madison.

A Summer of Friendship, Confidence, and Belonging at Camp ShalomFor Laura Cooney’s family, Camp Shalom has become more t...
08/12/2026

A Summer of Friendship, Confidence, and Belonging at Camp Shalom

For Laura Cooney’s family, Camp Shalom has become more than a summer camp. It has become a place where her three boys - Owen, Dylan, and Brady - have found friendship, confidence, independence, and a joyful sense of community.

Laura and her family are not Jewish, but they first heard about Camp Shalom through friends in their neighborhood. One family tried it and loved it. Then another family joined. Soon, all four families in their friend group were sending their kids to camp.

“It’s the camp I never had growing up,” Laura shared. “It’s exactly the camp I would have always dreamed of my kids going to.”

What stood out to her right away was how welcoming the camp felt. Camp Shalom’s Jewish identity is present and embraced, but in a way that invites everyone in. Her children have learned about Shabbat, picked up Hebrew words, and experienced Jewish traditions as part of a warm and open community.

“They’re not changing the cultural experience to tailor it to people who aren’t Jewish,” Laura said. “They’re enveloping everybody into the community, which is really cool.”
That sense of belonging shows up in small, meaningful ways. A counselor who rode the bus with her children for two summers remembered not only her boys’ names, but Laura’s too. Her sons come home talking about counselors like they are friends and role models - teenagers who are swimming, crafting, playing, leading, and fully present with the campers.

Laura has also seen her children grow through the variety of experiences Camp Shalom offers: swimming, arts and crafts, friendship bracelets, field trips, overnight camp moments, and time away from screens. Her youngest gained confidence in the pool. Her oldest experienced his first overnight away from home. And when one son broke his foot, the camp team helped make sure he still felt included, cared for, and able to enjoy the summer.

Perhaps most meaningful is the way Camp Shalom gives children a place to return to year after year. For Laura’s boys, camp friends have become their own special circle, separate from school friends and sports friends, but just as important.

“Now they have camp friends that they see year after year,” she said. “That’s really special.”

This is part of what Jewish Federation of Madison helps make possible: joyful Jewish spaces that are welcoming, inclusive, and meaningful for families of all backgrounds. Places where children can grow, friendships can form, and community can be felt in real and lasting ways.

At Camp Shalom, Jewish joy is not just something children learn about. It is something they live: on the bus, in the pool, around the friendship circle, through counselors who know their names, and in the memories they carry home.

It’s hard to believe we’re already in August!Summer is still here, but we can already feel a new season beginning to tak...
08/07/2026

It’s hard to believe we’re already in August!

Summer is still here, but we can already feel a new season beginning to take shape: families getting ready for back-to-school, our community preparing for the High Holy Days, and Jewish Madison looking ahead to meaningful moments of gathering, reflection, and renewal.

As we enter Shabbat, we’re grateful for the people, programs, and connections that carry us from one season to the next.

May this Shabbat bring a moment of rest, sweetness, and grounding before all that is ahead.

Shabbat Shalom from Jewish Federation of Madison.

There’s something so special about little hands making challah. 💙At Gan HaYeled, our children learn that Jewish traditio...
07/31/2026

There’s something so special about little hands making challah. 💙

At Gan HaYeled, our children learn that Jewish tradition is something we can taste, touch, share, and carry with us. Moments like these help build connection, joy, and a sense of belonging from the very beginning.

Wishing you and your family a peaceful, meaningful, and sweet Shabbat.

Shabbat Shalom from Jewish Federation of Madison.

07/27/2026

Statement from the Executive Committee and the Community Relations Committee on the Death of Corey Ruiz

The Jewish Federation of Madison mourns the death of Corey Ruiz and extends our condolences to his family, friends, and neighbors.

An investigation is underway. We support it fully, and we believe it must be allowed to proceed wherever the facts lead, with transparency and with real answers for this family and this city.

Jewish history carries both a long memory of unchecked power and a present-day gratitude for those who help keep our institutions safe. We hold both of these truths, and we do not believe that Madison should have to choose between them.

Whatever the investigation concludes, we hope every community in Madison feels free to express itself peacefully and to be heard. Madison is our shared home.

We are listening.

The Jewish Federation of Madison Executive Committee and Community Relations Committee co-chairs

𝗘𝗫𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘!Jewish Federation of Madison is pleased to announce that Stefanie Kushner will become the org...
07/27/2026

𝗘𝗫𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘!
Jewish Federation of Madison is pleased to announce that Stefanie Kushner will become the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer.

A familiar and respected leader in the Jewish community in Madison, Stefanie brings deep community relationships, strong organizational experience, and a heartfelt commitment to strengthening Jewish life across Madison, Israel, and around the world.

“Stefanie brings exactly the kind of leadership this moment calls for,” said Deborah Minkoff, Board President of Jewish Federation of Madison. “She knows this community, understands the importance of Jewish connection and belonging, and brings the experience, steadiness, and vision needed to help the Federation continue serving as a convener and connector for Jewish Madison.”

As CEO, Stefanie will lead Federation’s work to inspire, build, and sustain vibrant Jewish life in Madison. The Federation serves as a community-wide connector and supporter, helping strengthen Jewish identity, care for those in need, guide security and preparedness, support local partnerships, provide community programming, and as Madison’s connection to Israel, overseas, and Jewish communities worldwide.

Stefanie joins Federation after seven years as Executive Director of Temple Beth El, where she was known for her steady leadership , strong financial and management skills, and effective relationship-building. She will continue in her current role through the High Holy Days and into mid-October before beginning her new position with Federation on November 1.

Stefanie's appointment is the culmination of an extensive national search process. Our dedicated search committee led by Becca Youngerman and Lainie Minkoff, represented a range of perspectives from across our organization and community. Working in partnership with the Jewish Federation of North America, they engaged in a rigorous process to identify, evaluate and select qualified candidates to fill this position. They couldn't be more pleased with its outcome.

Federation also extends its deep gratitude to Robyn Sperling for her strong and steady leadership as Interim Managing Director. Robyn has guided the organization through an important period of transition with care, commitment, and deep dedication to Jewish Madison. She will continue serving as Interim Managing Director one day a week until Stefanie begins, helping ensure a smooth and thoughtful transition into permanent leadership.

Stefanie’s appointment comes at an important moment for Jewish Madison, as Federation continues to strengthen its role as a convener, partner, and resource for the entire community.

“We are excited for this next chapter,” Minkoff added. “With Stefanie’s leadership, and with gratitude for Robyn’s leadership during this transition, Federation will continue bringing people and partners together to build a Jewish Madison that is vibrant, caring, connected, and strong.”

Additional details about Stefanie’s start date and opportunities for the community to welcome her will be shared in the coming months.

Keep an eye out for Monday's Jewish Madison Together newsletter, where we'll be sharing a very exciting leadership annou...
07/24/2026

Keep an eye out for Monday's Jewish Madison Together newsletter, where we'll be sharing a very exciting leadership announcement! We can't wait to tell you more in just a few days.

In the meantime, we wish you a peaceful, joyful, and restful weekend. Shabbat Shalom to all!

Address

Madison, WI

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+16082781808

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Jewish Federation of Madison posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Jewish Federation of Madison:

Shortcuts

Share

Category