News

In the face of the horrific tragedy in Squirrel Hill, the JDC family stands with our brothers and sisters in Pittsburgh, mourning the tragic loss of life at the Tree of Life Congregation. We salute the bravery of local law enforcement officers. As our hearts go out to the victims of this senseless act, we resolve to resist hatred in all its vile forms. May the memory of those lost today be for a blessing, and may their families and our wider community find solace and healing in the time ahead.

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) launched Tikkun Olam Ventures (TOV), an innovative new program addressing poverty among Africa’s smallholder farmers by leveraging Israeli agricultural technology and training, Jewish philanthropy and private capital, and access to new markets for crops. Initiated with a two-year pilot in Ethiopia, TOV currently has seven demonstration sites growing vegetables in the country’s Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People’s Region (SNNPR). Inspired by Seth Merrin – founder and CEO of the fintech company Liquidnet, which provided the anchor grant for TOV through its corporate impact program, Liquidnet for Good – JDC partnered with other leading American Jewish philanthropists and Israel’s Ministry of Economy and Industry to bring TOV to fruition.