Over the years, the JDC, also known as “the Joint”, has provided services in 85 countries, including Israel, Argentina, Croatia, Morocco, Cuba, Ethiopia, Moldavia, India, Tunisia, Egypt, Greece, Poland and throughout the former Soviet Union.
“In a world where people question whether they should be engaged, we are a reminder that all Jews are responsible for one another,” said Geller. “Whether it is Jews in the Ukraine or Jews in Israel facing rocket fire, JDC is there for them, as it has been them for the past 100 years.”
The JDC’s centennial anniversary officially took place this past August but the organization has been celebrating with a full year’s worth of events worldwide.
“We had a major event in Washington DC with both government officials, foreign government officials and heads of Jewish organizations,” noted Geller. “We had a big event in Jerusalem with the prime minister and then-president Shimon Peres. Our main event was hosted by Wolf Blitzer of CNN whose family was helped by the Joint after the war. We also had a major exhibit on the JDC at the New York Historical Society, a dinner in Paris with heads of leading Jewish communities in Europe and just recently had a celebration in Moscow.”
Despite a difficult economic climate, Geller observed that because of the nature of the JDC’s work, people continue to support its efforts.
“It really does speak to the power of the Jewish collective,” said Geller. “The JDC is a product of the first World War, founded to help starving and beleaguered Jews in Palestine, to ensure they got the foods and medicines they needed. We have been a part of the Jewish journey for the last 100 years and once people learn about the needs and understand their extent, they are eager to get involved.”
While the JDC may have been created a century ago, its goals continue to resonate with Jews worldwide.
“Our central tenet is ‘kol yisroel areivim zeh lazeh’, all Jews are responsible for one another,” explained Geller. “It is a timeless mission, based on the ancient Jewish precept of mutual responsibility, to take care of Jews and even non-Jews in need wherever they may be. Moving forward, politics may come and our mission is as timeless as is the need and our job will be to help Jews in need embrace their identity and make sure that the Jewish future is strong.”