Profile: Youngstown Area Jewish Federation

Youngstown Area Jewish Federation
505 Gypsy Lane, Youngstown, Ohio 44504
330-746-3250.
jewishyoungstown.org.
Lisa Long, CEO

In 1935, a group of men and women began discussing a way to support the needs of Jews locally and overseas. In August 1935 the Jewish Federation of Youngstown was established with the mission to sustain and enrich the quality of life for the Jewish people regionally, in Israel, and worldwide. It’s guided by the values of tzedakah (righteousness), klal yisrael (the responsibility of each Jew for another), dor l’dor (the continuity of the Jewish people), and tikkun olam (repairing the world).

Today the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation is the central organization established to foster the welfare of the entire local Jewish community. Several agencies are under the Federation umbrella.

Jewish Community Center of Youngstown: The JCC offers social, cultural, educational and recreational programs in a Jewish environment on two campuses: the Main Campus on Gypsy Lane and the Logan Campus on Logan Way. Recently the JCC opened a new Early Learning Center classroom for ages 16 to 22 months. The new classroom features age-appropriate learning materials and toys to foster sensory exploration and early developmental milestones, a low child-to-teacher ratio to ensure personalized care and attention, dedicated spaces for play, rest, and feeding, tailored to meet the unique needs of infants and toddlers and highly trained, compassionate caregivers who prioritize the well-being, growth, and happiness of each child. Also included on that campus are an indoor heated pool; a gymnasium; deluxe health clubs with sauna, steam, and whirlpool; outdoor pickleball courts; Camp JCC and more. The Logan Campus on Logan Way includes an outdoor pool and tennis, sand volleyball and pickleball courts.

Jewish Family & Community Services: JFCS meets the social service needs of the community through diverse programs and services including guardianships, counseling, senior outreach and home-delivered meals. The JMeals program, in collaboration with the JCC, provides home delivered meals to residents who meet certain eligibility requirements, is a SNAP vendor and offers a private pay option. JMeals delivery range includes northern Columbiana, Mahoning, and Trumbull counties. The program produces meals and delivers them to more than 650 homebound individuals who have limited resources.

Jewish Community Relations Council: The JCRC represents the Jewish communities of Mahoning, Trumbull, and Columbiana counties in Ohio and Mercer and Lawrence counties in Pennsylvania to safeguard the rights of Jews here, in Israel, and around the world. The JCRC advocates for and secures public money for a variety of projects including Holocaust educational programing, security infrastructure upgrades and senior tech programs and services. In response to rising antisemitic threats and broader security concerns, the JCRC is working to strengthen collaboration with local and federal law enforcement to enhance the safety and resilience of our community.

Senior Living by Youngstown Area Jewish Federation: Senior Living by Youngstown Area Jewish Federation offers a continuum of care including Heritage Manor Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation, Levy Gardens Assisted Living and Adult Day Services at Heritage Manor. Heritage Manor received a perfect annual survey from the Ohio Department of Health and is the only Veterans Administration approved provider of long-term care in Mahoning County. It offers both long and short-term care. The Adult Day Services program is also Veterans Administration approved. Adult Day Services recently acquired new transportation buses through grant funding, making it easier for residents to access appointments and community events.

Akiva Academy: The Federation is working with Akiva on a new middle school facility. The expansion includes four classrooms, office spaces and a multi-purpose area designed for Shabbat services. This expansion will open up more space for students in the elementary school, starting in kindergarten. In the next five years, this project will allow Akiva Academy to double its current enrollment. Altshuler Akiva Academy, Goldstone-Mirkin Family Middle School at the Suzi Solomon Campus, will open in the fall. Akiva Academy is accepting kindergarten registrations for the 2026-2027 school year.

– Submitted by the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation

Metro Monthly is a local news and events magazine based in Youngstown, Ohio. We circulate throughout the Youngstown/Warren Mahoning Valley region (and beyond) with print, online and flipbook editions. Be sure to visit our website for news, features, restaurants, local history and essential Valley events. We offer print and website advertising. Office: 330-717-8785.