11/11/2025
Campaign for Jewish Needs Chair Still Sees More To Do
Article reprinted with permission from Cleveland Jewish News.
by Ellie Evans
With about a month left in the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s annual 2026 Campaign for Jewish Needs, Amir Jaffa looks back on his two years spent as campaign chair, and discusses what he still plans to accomplish before his term ends.
Jaffa
Jaffa, who was selected in 2024 to succeed Beth Wain Brandon as campaign chair, led the 2025 Campaign for Jewish Needs, which raised $38,087,175. His two-year term as campaign chair will end with the 2026 campaign, which kicked off Sept. 7 and closes Dec. 8.
“The Federation’s annual campaign raises much-needed funds to support so many of the wonderful institutions within Cleveland and, quite honestly, around the world,” Jaffa told the Cleveland Jewish News. “The goal is to raise as much money as possible for the community, locally and globally.”
Jaffa said while raising dollars is the “heaviest lift” of the campaign chair role, he also prioritized meeting people in the community.
“There’s no question about the fact I’ve had the opportunity to meet some wonderful folks, from large donors to people who are running day-to-day organizations,” Jaffa said. “My top priorities as campaign chair have been to get out and meet as many people as possible, and to tell the stories of all the wonderful work the Federation does.”
Jaffa said educating people on the full role the Federation has in serving the community has been the biggest challenge he has faced during his term, but that helping people understand the ways they benefit from the Federation’s services – even if they do not realize they do – is an important part of earning campaign donations.
“A big part of making sure the community understands, at large, what the Federation does was an important role for me personally,” Jaffa said. “I know what they do, but even I have learned a lot over the last two years, and I believe the amount of people I’ve connected with, and will continue to connect with, to educate them is also critical, because I feel the community does not fully comprehend the breadth of what the Federation does.”
Jaffa, a resident of Beachwood and congregant of Congregation Zichron Chaim in University Heights, said in a diverse community like that of Cleveland, the needs of people are ever-evolving. There are a few examples of this, he said, one being the difference in the amount of money the JFC needs to spend on security initiatives now versus just a few years ago.
“Mental health and food support are a couple examples of growing needs in the community, and the Federation’s involvement with these types of organizations has also grown,” Jaffa said.
Jaffa said some positive growth has occurred, too, like in Jewish day schools.
Jaffa said his successor has not been named, and the Federation’s focus will turn to that after the 2026 campaign closes in December. Until then, he said he will continue to reach out to the community.
“We’re asking leadership at synagogues to get involved and help us reach more people,” Jaffa said. “We know there’s more opportunity, and certainly more donors, out there. With about a month left, the goal is to hammer phones, get a hold of people and get donations.”
To make a donation or learn more about the campaign, visit jewishcleveland.org/campaign.
