The Foundation for Jewish Culture (FJC) was recently named one of the 50 most innovative Jewish non-profit organizations in the nation.
The FJC invests in creative individuals in order to nurture a vibrant and enduring Jewish identity, culture and community. This goal is achieved through the provision of grants, awards, networking opportunities and professional development services to artists and scholars. They collaborate with cultural institutions and other Jewish organizations to support the work of these creative individuals. They also educate and build audiences to provide meaningful Jewish cultural experiences to the American public, and advocate for the importance of Jewish culture as a core component of Jewish life.
The foundation finds and supports artists and scholars who are exploring the fabric of Jewish life and creating work that is both contemporary and profound. They help artists and scholars who are advancing the expression of Jewish culture, and Jewish peoplehood, in all its diversity.
The FJC has been a significant cultural force since it was founded in 1960. Created as a response to the decimation of Jewish institutions in Europe following the Holocaust, their role was to support American institutions suddenly left responsible for the preservation of Jewish cultural memory.
From 1960 to 1980, Jewish culture was defined by its scholarship. libraries, archives, and publishing houses were needed on American soil, and future generations of scholars had to be cultivated. The FJC assumed a leadership role in this endeavor. From 1980 to 2000, they shifted focus toward more engagement in programs and initiatives based in arts and humanities.
Over the last 10 years there has been an explosion of interest in Jewish culture—both in the US and worldwide—in the areas of music, literature, film, and theater. Communal Jewish organizations are recognizing the value of culture as a point of entry for young Jews and the unaffiliated and many new theaters, magazines, websites, and museums are being created or expanded. There is a critical need to support individuals who create content for these venues, and the FJC is currently focusing on these creators and advocating for the importance of Jewish culture.
