A Jewish federation represents the confederation of several Jewish social bodies, volunteer programs, educational agencies and related entities. North America in particular is home for several such Jewish federation more so because a majority of the Jewish population also resides in the region.
Israel with a 3000 year old tradition
Israel is the seat of Judaism and home for the Jewish community. Israel also has the unique distinction of being the only nation on the globe, which has not undergone any change in the land inhabited, or the language, or the God worshipped and such common factors for over 3000 years. The remnants of this long history are still available on the Israeli soil and include written scrolls several thousand years old and resembling some of the modern day advertisements.
The Jewish origin from Abraham
The Israeli people are also known as Jewish people because they claim their origin to Abraham who propounded the belief of a single God, the one who created this Universe. The patriarchs of this belief lived in Canaan, which is the modern day Israel. Israel itself derived its name from Jacob (Old Testament). The 12 sons of Jacob were kernels of 12 tribes which later evolved into the Jewish nation. Thus, Israeli, Israel or Jewish all refer to the people of the same nation.
Evolution of Israel
The evolution of Israel as a nation dates back to around 1300 BCE coinciding with the exodus from Egypt lead by Moses (in Hebrew Moshe). The exodus was followed by the transmission of the Ten Commandments to the emerging nation, and then called the Torah. Moses spent the next 40 years in the Sinai desert and then led the people to Israel. This sequence finds a citation in the Bible as land God promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the descendants of Patriarchs. The Jewish people have thus been continuously present on the Israeli soil for over 3,300 years.
The modern day Israel
In modern times, the Israeli people have made significant contributions to a number Industrial as well as cultural sectors. The Jewish population has also panned out to several other countries. The Jewish federation therefore became essential to hold the community together in the different regions around the world and work as a link between the expatriates and the mother land.
The Jewish Federations
Wherever the Jewish federation is located, it influences the Jewish communities to a great degree. The local Jewish federation holds "Super Sunday" which is the fund raising drive conducted annually. Most part of the budgeted requirement for the subsequent year for various community programs is collected during the "Super Sunday". Decisions of local Jewish federation also impact the community with respect to opening new programs or closing ongoing ones, hiring or firing of personnel and purchase of assets. A local Jewish federation is present in almost every city which holds at least a few thousand Jewish citizens. The Jewish population in different parts of America is substantial and therefore, you will come across a local Jewish federation in almost every American city. This has given rise to an umbrella organization for American Jewish federation known as United Jewish Communities.