The Jewish Federation of North Central Florida
JFNCF is a Member of the Network of Independent Communities of the Jewish Federation of North America
Our Mission
The mission of the Jewish Federation of North Central Florida (JFNCF) is to cultivate and support a vibrant, inclusive, and united Jewish community throughout North Central Florida.
Our Vision
JFNCF serves as the umbrella organization for the Jewish population of Gainesville, Ocala and surrounding areas. We are focused on connecting, supporting, and empowering the Jewish community as well as the wider North Central Florida population.
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About Us
The Jewish Federation of North Central Florida (JFNCF) is proud to be part of the Jewish Federations of North America’s Network of Independent Communities, connecting over 140 Federations and 300 smaller Jewish communities across the country. Through this partnership, we help raise millions of dollars to strengthen Jewish life—locally, in Israel, and around the world.
Originally founded in 1971 as the Gainesville Jewish Appeal (GJA), JFNCF has grown from a fundraising initiative for Israel and world Jewry into a regional organization that supports local grants, programs, and partnerships. We remain deeply committed to global Jewish causes—supporting organizations like Beit Ruth and the Jaffa Institute, and mobilizing emergency relief efforts when needed.
Closer to home, JFNCF provides grants to area Hebrew schools and synagogues, collaborates with Hillel and the UF Center for Jewish Studies on community programming, and partners with local charities to help neighbors in need. We also invest in the future of Jewish life through initiatives like PJ Library, which brings free Jewish books to hundreds of local children and families.
From education and culture to philanthropy and community care, JFNCF is planting seeds for a stronger, more connected Jewish future in North Central Florida and beyond.
PJ Library
As the Jewish Federation of NCF looks to the future, youth and family engagement is a central priority in building our Jewish community. The meaningful steps we are taking to create this strong foundation include our PJ Library program and JFNCF Youth (including two age groups). High school students can join the local BBYO chapter (BBYO North Florida Region – BBYO) which runs in partnership with UF Hillel.
Over 300 children in North Central Florida, AND over seven million children, in 40 countries enjoy PJ Library books. For more information, and to sign up for the FREE PJ Library program created by the nonprofit Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF) visit Free Books for Jewish Children and Their Families | PJ Library.
Executive Committee
Debby Kinman-Ford
President
Alice Kropp
Vice President/Co-President
Donna Erez Navot
Secretary
Steve Bobroff
Treasurer
Eytan Oren
Immediate Past President
Board of Directors
Staff
Linda E. Maurice
Executive Director
Email Linda
Naomi Richards
Director of Community Engagement
& Programming
Email Naomi
Katherine Paedae
Youth Programs Coordinator
Email Katherine
