Who Is The Jewish Federation of Upstate South Carolina
A 501c(3) dedicated to strengthening, supporting and connecting the Jewish community
Focused on creating a strong Jewish community through programming designed to create unity and promote Jewish identity, pride, and culture. We provide social services and volunteer our time to help members of our Jewish community as well as the greater community to make the Upstate and the world a better place.
Our Mission
Build, strengthen, and support our community and Jewish people globally based on the Jewish values of tikun olam (repair the world), tzedakah (charity/justice) and chesed (loving kindness).
How We Do What We Do
YOU make it possible!
You and every Upstate, SC Jewish community resident are part of the Jewish Federation. We rely on our community to guide, attend, and help fund programs and services. Volunteers are needed to serve on the board and committees, help at planned programs and events, and help support services. The generous financial donations from within our community allow us to serve and oversee the allocation of funds to other deserving programs and agencies, furthering our mission outside and inside our community here in the Upstate.
Our History
It began in 1946
Now the Jewish Federation of Upstate South Carolina, the organization was originally founded on March 23, 1946, as The Federated Jewish Charities Incorporated of Greenville, S.C. Max Heller was one of our founding directors along with Harry Fay, Nathaniel Kaplan, and Sidney Sohliefstein.
Prior to 2016, we operated as a membership-based organization, and we were 100% volunteer-led. Things changed when the Board at the time chose to make the PJ Library program professionally led and hired a part-time employee to manage subscriptions and programming for the families. Additionally, the community voted and approved a revision to the bylaws to remove membership with the Board managing operations and guiding the PJ Professional.
On May 16, 2023, the Board made another big vote and moved from being volunteer-led to professionally-led with the hiring of its first CEO. Over the past 77+ years, the organization has been supported predominantly through local community giving and participation. While some funding comes from grants and partnerships with regional and national organizations, the focus is on serving the Upstate of SC.
Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Upstate SC
Miki Karni
Director of Jewish Family Services
Our Board of Directors
Mitch Wolin
PRESIDENT
Larry Pearlman
VICE PRESIDENT
Randy Voegenberg
TREASURER
Yelena Trepetin
SECRETARY
Lorie Ederr
Madelaine Yafet
Michele Brinn
Diane Sacks
Anthony Dublino
OPEN
OPEN
Donate
Supporting our Federation makes it possible for us to continue offering programs and services to the Jewish residents and greater community within Upstate, SC.
