There's nothing like a Coffeehouse for Holocaust survivors to brighten up our day. 💙
We loved welcoming our partner, @selfhelpcommunityservices , survivors, and volunteers for another opportunity to nosh, dance, and chat as a community.
🔓 EXCLUSIVE: UJA-Federation of New York has named Leffell School head Michael Kay as CEO — a choice that signals Jewish day school’s growing importance in the communal agenda.
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A longtime Jewish educator, Kay succeeds Eric Goldstein after 12 years and takes over Oct. 5, inheriting a community divided in the aftermath of Oct. 7 and navigating a New York City where 33% of Jewish voters backed Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has clashed with UJA-Federation.
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Kay’s selection was unanimous from a field of more than 40 candidates.
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In an exclusive interview with Kay, Nira Dayanim sat down to discuss navigating today’s political landscape and UJA’s fundraising priorities.
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Read more about his appointment at the link in bio.
We’re thrilled to announce that Dr. Michael A. Kay has been appointed as UJA’s new Chief Executive Officer, effective October 5. He succeeds Eric S. Goldstein, who will step down after 12 years as CEO.
Michael has served for 13 years as Head of School at The Leffell School (formerly the Solomon Schechter School of Westchester), transforming it into one of the nation’s leading multi-denominational K–12 Jewish day schools. He has brought people together across differences through respectful dialogue—building a nonpartisan community rooted in academic excellence, expanding enrollment, and strengthening philanthropic support, including through partnership with UJA’s Day School Challenge Fund.
Michael brings the strategic vision, intellectual rigor, and personal warmth to lead UJA into its next chapter—and we’re excited to welcome him to the UJA family. Read our statement at the link in our bio.
May is #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth — and with so many teens struggling with anxiety, stress, and isolation, peer connection and support matter more than ever.
Through @jewishboard 's HereNow, a teen-led initiative backed by UJA, young people are helping break the stigma around mental health. They're leading workshops, speaking on panels, and developing mental health programming for younger students – empowering peers and building a stronger, more compassionate generation of young leaders.
Read more at the link in bio. #MissionMonday
Today, we mourn the passing of Abraham Foxman, z''l, a towering voice in the fight against antisemitism and all forms of hate. May his memory be for a blessing.
Thanks to the moms in our community for being true mensches – and for raising them too (just ask the kids from our Take Your Child to Work Day)! 😉💙
#HappyMothersDay to all the incredible mothers and grandmothers out there.
Last night, we welcomed Kim Murstein and Grandma Gail of @excusemygrandma to UJA for a special intergenerational chat with our #UJAYoungLeaders and Heritage Society!
Their family has been involved with UJA for five generations, and we loved hearing their blend of modern-day advice and old-school wisdom on navigating relationships, Jewish traditions, the importance of giving back, and everything in between.
Thank you again to Kim, Grandma Gail, and everyone who joined us for a night we’ll never forget.
Since October 7, Nova Festival survivors like Rita have been carrying unimaginable trauma as they navigate long and evolving healing journeys.
Through our grantee, @safeheartil , Rita and other survivors are getting the critical mental health care and community they need to process their trauma, heal together, and keep moving forward.
This evening, 110 members of the Bnei Menashe from Mizoram, India, stepped off a plane and into their new lives as proud Israeli citizens. Our CEO Eric S. Goldstein joined our partner, @jewishagency , in India, and then welcomed the new olim as they arrived at Ben Gurion airport - many reuniting with loved ones who’d made aliyah long ago.
It was a beautiful, historic mission - and at a moment of such profound challenges for the global Jewish community, a powerful reminder of the importance of our one and only Jewish homeland. Am Yisrael Chai.
Yesterday, JCRC-NY and @ujafedny stood with elected officials, clergy, and Jewish and interfaith community leaders outside Congregation Machane Chodosh after multiple Jewish institutions, homes, and a Holocaust memorial plaque in Queens were defaced with antisemitic graffiti ahead of Lag BaOmer.
This latest attack comes as antisemitism continues to surge across New York City, with Jews accounting for 60% of reported hate crimes last month.
Thank you to all who showed up in solidarity with the Queens Jewish community and made clear that this hatred will not be normalized — including @RepGraceMeng , @MarkLevineNYC , @julmenin , @JumaaneWilliams , @Lynn4NYC , PhilWongNYC2025 , and @MelindaKatz .
Antisemitism threatens not only Jewish New Yorkers, but the very fabric of our city. We need more than statements of condemnation — we need real action rooted in education, accountability, security, and sustained community building.
