WE ARE UJA.
We’re a vibrant community of New Yorkers from all walks of life, and Jews from around the globe. Visionaries, problem solvers, and go-getters who care about changing our city and our world. We’re people with all kinds of challenges reaching for possibilities. Fearless teens fighting to destigmatize mental illness. Tenacious Holocaust survivors. Passionate Jewish educators. People with disabilities determined to be included. Families struggling to put food on the table.
At UJA, we’re as diverse as we appear. And with our nonprofit partners, we’re changing the lives of millions, one at a time. To make a more just world for us all.
Golda’s story
“I have macular degeneration, so I can’t go shopping on my own, but with my social worker I’m able to maintain my independence. And my spirit.” My husband and I went through a lot. He became my boyfriend when we were both 14 years old. He was six months older than...
Leah’s story
“This summer helped me find more of myself and connect to my Jewish identity.” This is my first year in high school, so being at Sababa Surf Camp this summer really helped me. I’ve made so many friends who’ve become my family.Being on the beach, just staring out at...
Adam’s story
“I’m on the autism spectrum. I find socialization very, very difficult sometimes. You can imagine as a job seeker how difficult that would be at times.” I majored in philosophy at college and graduated summa cum laude. My struggles aren’t academic. I thought I’d...
Nava’s story
“No community better showcases the unlimited potential that diversity can produce than the New York Jewish community.”Jewish communities have shaped my identity and given me a meaningful backdrop to my everyday life. I also believe that being part of the...
Rabbi Hecht’s story
“Every person has innate dignity, no matter who you are. My staff feel the same way. They stay later, and see more clients than is possible, all because they love helping.”We’re here on the frontline of poverty. Every day we see people who are very ill, who need help...
Mayer’s story
“When I was young, I was in the Satu Mare Ghetto and Auschwitz. Now I’m 91. Who would imagine that my wife and I would still be dancing and schmoozing with friends?” I was born in Romania. My family and I lived in the Satu Mare Ghetto until it was liquidated and we...
Avery and Annie’s story
“We’re grateful that we can participate as part of a community to teach our children the important things in life. It’s a blessing to be able to continue what our parents did before us.”Annie and I wanted to be part of Emerging Leaders and Philanthropists because it’s...
Daniela’s story
“Hillel is a place where I can be Jewish however I want to be . . . and have different Jewish experiences that I wouldn’t have otherwise.”Hillel funds a lot of different projects — from religious ones to performance groups to groups that help with social justice...
Lihi’s story
“I’m a single mom and it’s a struggle. When you have one paycheck, everything helps.” My son and I came from Israel. We’ve been here two years. I’m working and it’s a struggle. The food pantry’s a huge help. It let me put a little bit of money away, $5, $10 a week,...
Judah’s story
“We have one of the strongest Modern Orthodox communities on any college campus across North America, and that’s one of the reasons I chose this school.”Hillel really helps me facilitate my Jewish life while I’m away from home. I take advantage of the opportunities...
Sam’s story
“The biggest excuse that young professionals make is that we’re so busy – in our careers, in our dating life. I think people who want to make time for things make time for things. If you show them it’s a really worthy endeavor, they’ll find time for anything.”I grew...
Nigel’s story
“I know I can do the work. What I’m looking for is a place of employment that will have some empathy.” I have multiple sclerosis, and it’s been bad for me the last five, six years. I’m still walking, thank God. You can’t quit. You have to keep moving and be thankful...
Jose’s story
“On 9/11… the tragedy seemed so familiar. I thought, ‘I already went through this. I lived it twice.’” I was born in Poland at the beginning of World War II. As a young boy, I lived in a ghetto and a work camp with my parents, and later I went to a concentration camp....
CC’s story
“During the darkest time of my life, I felt helpless, worthless, and that things would never get better. Now I know there’s hope.” I took in my mom for many years. You never know as a caretaker how that can affect you. I was up all night...
Mary’s story
“We live here, and we breathe this air. Hesed keeps us alive now.”My husband, Leonid, and I had to flee our home in Lugansk, a city in eastern Ukraine, when shrapnel landed in our garden a few years ago. Lugansk was right in the middle of the battle between Ukraine...
Pamela and Sophie’s stories
“I think part of me is doing it for me, for the kid I was. I wish I had this as a kid.” – Pam“Having anxiety made me a better listener. When people spoke to me, I realized all the things I hated. Like, don’t tell me to relax. I never say that to anyone.” –...
Soussan’s story
“The pantry has a way of making us feel like guests and not people in need.”It’s been 25 years since I came to the Y with my kids, and then my knees were bad so there were a few problems. But my daughter kept saying, ‘Go to the Y, go to the Y.’Finally, thank God, last...
Marc and Evan’s story
“We like the social aspect of coming together with UJA Pride to do good.” Love was already in the air between us when Evan and I decided to go on a UJA Pride mission to Cuba. The trip piqued our interest and then we started going to more events. We like that UJA...
