Columbia Jewish Federation

08/26/2026

Jewish Heritage Night is officially becoming a tradition! ⚾️💙

We had such a great time at the second annual Jewish Heritage Night at Segra Park on August 23 as the Columbia Fireflies took on the Augusta GreenJackets.

It was so much fun seeing our community come together and seeing everyone in their custom Jewish Heritage Night hats! We love that this is becoming something we can look forward to every year.

08/23/2026

Last Chance to Purchase Tickets for the game THIS SUNDAY. RSVP: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/55kh6k/event/jewishheritagenight2026/?blm_aid=153198592

08/13/2026

THIS MONDAY
GRAND OPENING - Hillel House at USC

Register: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/haus/event/hillelopenhouse/
Monday, August 17th | 5:00 - 7:00 PM

A dream decades in the making is finally here! 🎉

For decades, Hillel at USC has dreamed of having a dedicated home of its own. Now, that dream is a reality—and we can't wait to celebrate with our community!

Join us as we open the doors to Hillel's new home, explore the space, enjoy music, and celebrate the many people who helped make this milestone possible.

🎓 USC students
💙 Alumni
✡️ Community members

Come be part of this exciting new chapter for Jewish life at USC. We can't wait to celebrate with you!

Hillel's new home. A new chapter. A place for Jewish students to connect, grow, and build community.

08/05/2026

THIS SUNDAY
Hear directly from district administrators about the steps our schools are taking to address antisemitism, respond to incidents of hate, and create safe, welcoming learning environments for all students. This is an opportunity to learn, ask questions, and strengthen the partnership between our Jewish community and local schools.
Register here: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/crccommunityconversations/event/columbia/

Columbia Jewish Federation's mission is to engage and strengthen our community to build a vibrant Jewish future.

08/03/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined Jewish Family Services yesterday for our Rabbinic Panel Discussion on Jewish Tradition & End of Life. It was a thoughtful and meaningful conversation, and we hope you left feeling more informed, supported, and prepared.

Our next Lunch & Learn will be in October. Be on the lookout for registration information soon!

08/03/2026

Security is not optional. It is the foundation that allows our communities to thrive.

For many people, security is something they never have to think about. For the Jewish community, it has become a daily reality.

Every synagogue, Jewish school, community center, and gathering deserves to be a place where people can pray, learn, celebrate, and connect without fear. That is why security cannot be viewed as an optional expense; it is a fundamental responsibility.

Columbia Jewish Federation is grateful to be part of the work led by Jewish Federations of North America to advocate for stronger security resources and to ensure our communities have the training, partnerships, and support they need. Here in South Carolina, we're committed to building those partnerships every day with law enforcement, elected officials, faith leaders, and organizations across our state.

Security isn't about living in fear. It's about creating the conditions for Jewish life, and all faith communities, to flourish.

Because when people feel safe, they can focus on what matters most: building community, strengthening relationships, and living their faith with confidence.

Security is not optional. It's the foundation.

07/29/2026

In the span of just a few days, our Federation Executive Director, Jessie Dowsakul, joined Jewish Federations of North America, colleagues from across the country, and leaders from South Carolina in honoring the life and legacy of Senator Lindsey Graham, first at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., and then again at the South Carolina State House in Columbia.

One message resonated throughout both memorial services: beyond his decades of public service, Senator Graham was, at his core, a genuinely good person. Family, friends, and fellow public servants spoke of his humility, his deep love for his family and country, his unwavering support for Israel, and his commitment to building bridges and seeking peace.

For our Jewish community, Senator Graham was more than a public servant, he was a steadfast friend and advocate who always answered the call. His support for the Jewish community, Israel, and our shared values never wavered, and his partnership will not be forgotten.

We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and all who mourn his passing. May his memory be a blessing.

07/21/2026

JOIN US TONIGHT FOR A TRIBUTE HONORING THE LATE SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM

📅 Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2026
🕔 Time: 8:00 PM EDT / 5:00 PM PDT
📍 Where: Virtual — register to receive your Zoom link

Whether you knew Senator Graham personally, heard him speak at IAC's first National Summit in 2014, or simply admired his unwavering support for the U.S.–Israel relationship, we hope you'll join us for this meaningful evening of remembrance.

Registration: https://iac360.org/iac-events/lindseyna/?utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8J_s6ZubLoXVnT9hWMHQtkDt-bX09ukhDOd6Yf_gwJU6vT9CqLtWQIq55NMuFHp3GwOn3wRFWCdU1hh-nzqpX2ROQxiSfKzDdae1pmv-uyrUa3KgQ&_hsmi=429426455&utm_content=429426455&utm_source=hs_email

07/17/2026

We have some exciting news to share on behalf of ...

Hillel at the University of South Carolina finally has a Hillel House! 💙

This space will become a true home away from home. It will be a place where students can gather for Shabbat, celebrate holidays, study, relax, and build lasting friendships.

Help us celebrate this milestone at the Hillel House Open House on Monday, August 17, beginning at 5:00 PM. We can't wait to welcome you into our new home!

📲 Register here: bit.ly/HillelOpenHouse

Shabbat Shalom!

07/12/2026

Columbia Jewish Federation joins our state and nation in mourning the passing of Senator Lindsey Graham.

For more than two decades, Senator Graham served the people of South Carolina with dedication and conviction. Throughout his years of public service, he was a steadfast friend of the Jewish community and a strong supporter of the U.S.-Israel relationship. Our Federation was grateful for his partnership, his willingness to listen, and his commitment to the safety and security of Jewish communities here in South Carolina and around the world.

We extend our deepest condolences to Senator Graham's family, his staff, and all who knew and worked alongside him. May his memory be a blessing.