Jewish Community of Louisville
The Jewish Community of Louisville (JCL) provides the foundation that supports its brands, the Jewish Community Center of Louisville, the Jewish Federation of Louisville and Community, and collaborates with Louisville’s Jewish congregations, agencies and organizations.
JCL’s Vision
Fulfilling the needs of the Jewish Community.
JCL’s Mission
Build and sustain a vibrant, caring, inclusive community rooted in Jewish values.
About the JCL
The JCL’s primary brands provide direct services to the community.
The Jewish Community Center (JCC) is your health and wellness center for body, family and mind. It offers care for infants and a strong learning program for preschoolers in the Early Learning Center; summer, winter and spring camps for children; Teen Connection and BBYO for teens; programs for families and adults; health and wellness programs including group classes, weights, swimming and more; a Senior Adult program that helps seniors stay healthy and active, encompassing nutrition, fitness, socialization, travel, entertainment and education; and cultural arts from CenterStage productions and Patio Gallery exhibitions to the annual Louisville Jewish Film Festival, lectures and classes.
The Federation is the resource development arm of the community. It manages fundraising from the Annual Campaign to events like the Annual Republic Bank Players Challenge that benefits both the JCC and Jewish Family & Career Services. The Jewish Foundation of Louisville is the endowment and planned giving operation of the agency, and it administers the JCC Second Century Funds, philanthropic funds formerly held by the Jewish Community Federation, donor-advised funds and the JCL’s unrestricted endowment. It also maximizes resources by pursuing grants, sponsorships, special gifts, etc. The Planning and Allocations Committee reviews requests for funding from the Annual Campaign (including requests by the JCL) and makes decisions on how to allocate community resources. The Federation also offers leadership development opportunities.
Community is Louisville’s Jewish newspaper and so much more. It is the main communications vehicle for the JCL, its primary brands and all their activities, as well as the Louisville Jewish community’s congregations, agencies and organizations. In addition to the newspaper, Community includes this web site, a Weekly Update eletter, a weekly JCC eletter and other communications vehicles.
The JCL provides the administrative, financial, IT, planning and marketing services to the JCC, the Federation and Community needed to enable them to fulfill the vision and mission stated above. These shared resources allow the agency to take advantage of the economies of scale, freeing up resources to meet community needs.
The JCL is governed by a Board of Directors, elected by JCL members at the JCL’s Annual Meeting by members of the community. Board officers are elected at the same time by members of the Board. These dedicated individuals have the best interests of the community at heart. They serve as ambassadors for the JCL in the community. In addition to giving their time and expertise at regular meetings and ensuring the integrity and financial stewardship of the agency, they serve on JCL committees, make meaningful gifts to the Annual Federation Campaign and Metro United Way, participate in JCL fundraisers, volunteer with the Federation Campaign, work to support the JCL’s vision and mission and are members of the Jewish Community Center. They also participate in regional and national meetings that enhance their skills as Board members and prepare for regional and national leadership posts.
The JCL was formed in 2009 when the Jewish Community Federation and the Jewish Community Center merged.