A Brief History

The United Jewish Appeal
Post World War II Era
In the late 1950s, Jews in Sarasota-Manatee – who were just beginning to have a noticeable presence in the general community – became concerned with the needs of their brothers and sisters around the world, particularly in Israel. They decided it was time to have a central organization to coordinate the activities of the community.
On February 26, 1959, the Articles of Incorporation were signed, and the charter was granted to the Sarasota Jewish Community Council.
Our Modern Day Federation
Federation leadership and Jewish community donors helped to found three “partner” Jewish agencies: Jewish Family and Children’s Service (1984), the Sarasota-Manatee Jewish Housing Council (1988), and the Flanzer Jewish Community Center (1989-2007).
For many years, the Federation’s primary function was to raise funds and distribute them through unrestricted allocations to the three local partner agencies and overseas (through its parent organization, The Jewish Federations of North America).
Now, all funds are allocated through a granting process, ensuring all funded programs support and advance the Federation’s mission and priorities. All granted programs, including Federation-implemented programs, are subject to an evaluation process to verify each meets stated goals.
Today our mission is to strengthen Jewish life and identity in our community, provide for Jewish people in need, and promote support for Israel.