History of the Jewish Federation

In 1922, a group of men and women established the Federation of Jewish Charities to provide for the social welfare needs of Jews living in the city of Camden.

In 1937, a merger of the Orthodox-led Ladies Aid Society and the Conservative-sponsored Jewish Welfare Society led to the creation of a new Federation which was designed to offer a coordinated approach in meeting the challenges of a viable Jewish community.

In 1938, the scattered Jewish residents along the White Horse Pike in Camden County appealed for help and their inclusion led to the Jewish Federation of Camden County.

In 1973, a second appeal for help came from a number of Jewish residents in Burlington County. They too requested that their community be a recipient of the programs and services sponsored by the local Federation. A merger of Camden and Burlington Counties led to the creation of the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey.

In 1983, the Jewish community of Gloucester County requested that their residents be included in the Federation service area. That summer, Gloucester County became affiliated with the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey and approximately 350 Jewish families became members of the Federation family.

The Federation and its agencies provide services in the areas of social welfare, recreation, acculturation and aid to new Americans. Counseling, advocacy, educational and cultural programs, services for the aged and others are all designed to meet most of the communal needs of each and every Jew living in Southern New Jersey. Today the Jewish Federation provides services and resources to thousands of men, women and children.

Now, the future of our children is in our hands. And our deep commitment to that future is being realized at the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Jewish Community Campus, which opened in June 1997.

The campus is located at the corner of Springdale & Kresson Roads in Cherry Hill. It houses nearly all of the agencies of the Jewish Federation.

The hub of the campus is the Betty & Milton Katz Jewish Community Center, which will take us into the twenty-first century with facilities, programs and activities to serve every member of our community. The multi-faceted facility provides social, cultural, recreational, fitness and educational programs that are appealing to every individual.

Through the support of the entire community, the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Jewish Community Campus is celebrating and enhancing Jewish life. It is bringing together people of all ages and interests under one roof... connected by our shared heritage and the promise of a fulfilling future.