The number of people assisted by JDC since 1914 reaches into the millions, and we have had a presence at one time or another in more than 85 countries. In keeping with its 95-year mission of rescue, relief, renewal, and support for Israel, JDC has always dedicated itself to protecting and nurturing Jewish children around the globe.

Today, that mission continues in the former Soviet Union, where through partnership, JDC is providing food, medicine, and other intervention services to more than 25,000 impoverished Jewish children and their families. In Central and Eastern Europe, JDC-supported welfare programs reach 1,500 Jewish children in need, while our efforts in Latin America ensure critical nutritional and health support for vulnerable pregnant mothers and babies. JDC is also dedicated to securing a Jewish future by making Jewish education, cultural traditions and holidays, and social networks broadly accessible. To that end, we support Jewish day schools in remote and isolated Jewish communities in Africa and Asia, while fostering early childhood literacy and youth volunteerism in Israel.

JDC’s nonsectarian work is also keenly focused on children. The recently opened Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village in Rwanda, a special project of JDC, will eventually welcome 500 Rwandan teens orphaned by the 1994 genocide.

Ultimately, JDC is investing in the next generation of Jewish leadership by ensuring Jewish children everywhere grow up healthy, culturally connected to their communities and their Jewish heritage, and prepared for life’s opportunities.