Who we are

The Westchester Jewish Council is an IRS 501c3 not-for-profit organization. We are one of of approximately 110 Jewish Community Relations Councils (JCRCs) nationwide that serve as the coordinating and resource organization to the Jewish community

The Council was founded in 1975 as the Westchester Jewish Conference to organize the community’s response to the Yom Kippur War. Since then, the Council has evolved to become Westchester’s Jewish community relations organization, providing a myriad of services to the community. In addition, the Council serves as a facilitator to help build relationships both within and beyond the Jewish community.

We currently serve as the central communicating, coordinating, convening, and advisory and resource body for the County's Jewish community, representing over 140 Jewish organizations and serving 150,000 Jews. As Westchester's Jewish community relations organization, (JCRC), the Council unites Westchester Jewry with the State of Israel, fosters communication among Jewish organizations and cultivates and strengthens relations with other ethnic and religious groups, elected officials and the community at large. The Council encourages participation in Jewish life and supports and develops initiatives and programs that meet existing and emerging Jewish communal needs.

Westchester County is the eighth largest Jewish county in America with nearly 150,000 Jews. The Jewish community is served by approximately 60 synagogues and nearly 80 Jewish organizations. Our community is known for cohesiveness where the principles that unite the Jewish community win over those that may divide us.

We work closely with over 140 member organizations to help them better engage Westchester Jewry. We do this in tandem with both the lay and professional leadership of synagogues and Jewish institutions. We serve as the Jewish community “point organization” to the non-Jewish community as well as to our Westchester elected officials and law enforcement. Also central to our mission are Israel advocacy and Jewish education.

The Westchester Jewish Council office is located at 701 Westchester Avenue, Suite 203 East, White Plains. It is easily accessible and located in an office park, along the Cross Westchester Expressway/I-287. Our offices are located adjacent to UJA-Federation of New York and the Jewish Education Project.

The Westchester Jewish Council is a beneficiary agency of UJA-Federation of New York. We receive an ongoing annual affiliation grant as well as select program grants. The Council is a member of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of New York. As such, we receive services from the JCPA-Jewish Council for Public Affairs.