named programs · 1 · from sources
What they call their work
Shofar Krakow: Call to Return
Dedication ceremony and cultural event centered on the shofar, symbolizing return and renewal within the Jewish community in Krakow; launched September 9, 2015
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Jewish Holiday and Shabbat Community Events 2 activities
- Community and Intercultural Engagement ProgramsHosts intercultural educational events, arts and cultural activities, weekly Shabbat dinners, holiday celebrations, and social programs for seniors, families, and students to foster cooperation between Jewish and non-Jewish communities in Krakow.
- Revitalization of Jewish Life in KrakowOperates as the central hub for the resurgence of Jewish life in Krakow since opening in April 2008, supporting a community of over 1,200 Jewish members through cultural, educational, and religious programming.
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Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Communication with Global SupportersSends a weekly English-language email newsletter to keep global supporters informed about organizational activities and community developments.
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Jewish Religious Education and Outreach 1 activity
- Early Childhood and Student Education ProgramsOperates the FRAJDA Early Childhood Center, the first Jewish community preschool in Krakow since WWII, serving over 70 students, and runs the Hillel GIMEL Jewish Student Club for university students exploring their Jewish identity, with scholarship and programming support available.
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Ukraine War Humanitarian Relief 1 activity
- Humanitarian Aid for Ukrainian RefugeesProvides comprehensive humanitarian support to over 500,000 Ukrainian refugees since February 24, 2022, including food assistance for 700+ families weekly, distribution of nearly 600 tons of supplies, housing placement, mental health services, language classes, and employment support.
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Endowment and Gift Fund Management 1 activity
- Major Gifts and Program SustainabilitySecures major gifts of $100,000 or more to ensure the long-term sustainability of Jewish community programs in Krakow.
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Holocaust Survivor Support Services 1 activity
- Senior and Holocaust Survivor Support ServicesRuns a daily Senior Club for Holocaust survivors and elderly Jewish community members, providing kosher meals, healthcare, transportation, language classes, social and cultural programming, and physical rehabilitation, with annual care costs supported through donor funding.
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Holocaust and Genocide Remembrance Education 1 activity
- Visitor and Educational EngagementServes as a visitor center for over 140,000 annual visitors, offering guided tours of Jewish Krakow, Old Town, and Auschwitz; genealogical consultations; culinary workshops; lectures; and interactive programs connecting visitors with Holocaust survivors, students, and volunteers.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$3.40M
Contributions & grants$3.25M95%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$155K5%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$3.43M
Program expenses100%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$3.40M
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$6.43M
Cash$4.42M
Investments$14K
Liabilities$62
Net assets$6.43M
Liquid reserves15.5 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +9.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 19
- BETH KEAN — TRUSTEE
- CAROL BECKER — TRUSTEE
- CHERYL FISHBEIN — TRUSTEE
- DAGAN LACORTE — TREASURER
- ELIZABETH SZANCER — TRUSTEE
- ERIC SCHWARTZ — TRUSTEE
- GREGG EPSTEIN — TRUSTEE
- JUSTIN KADIS — TRUSTEE
- LARRY KADIS — TRUSTEE
- MARISSA ALLEN — TRUSTEE
- MEL MANN — TRUSTEE
- MICHAEL BERENBAUM — TRUSTEE
- MICHAEL PALEY — TRUSTEE
- PHIL SHATTEN — TRUSTEE
- SHARI GERSTEIN — TRUSTEE
- SHERI SANDLER — TRUSTEE
- SUELLEN KADIS — SECRETARY
- SUSAN LERNER — TRUSTEE
- VICKIE WARNER — PRESIDENT
relationships · 11
Who they work with
- Galicia Jewish Museum Partner — Hosted Shabbat services in partnership with Friends of JCC Krakow.
- JCC Krakow Partner — FRIENDS OF JCC KRAKOW INC supports JCC Krakow as its primary operational partner in Krakow.
- JCC Krakow Partner — FRIENDS OF JCC KRAKOW INC supports JCC Krakow as its primary partner in delivering visitor and community programs.
- JCC Krakow Partner — FRIENDS OF JCC KRAKOW INC supports programs at JCC Krakow, including the Frajda Early Childhood Center, Hillel GIMEL, and Senior Club.
- JCC Krakow Partner — FRIENDS OF JCC KRAKOW INC supports the financial sustainability and programming of JCC Krakow in Krakow, Poland.
- Jewish Federations Partner — Overseas funder contributing to JCC Krakow's operating budget.
- Jewish Federations of North America Global Hub Partner — Partnership with Slavic-language speaking volunteers and professional expertise through the Global Hub.
- Mi Polin Partner — Co-led Jewish history walks in Kraków with Friends of JCC Krakow participants.
- Milwaukee Jewish Federation Partner — Collaborated with Friends of JCC Krakow through a mission visit to Krakow.
- Richard and Nina Edelman Family Fund for Arts and Education Partner — Provided the Shofar Krakow sculpture as a gift to the JCC Krakow community.
- Sha’ar Communities Partner — Collaborates with Sha’ar Communities, as evidenced by participation of its representative in a group visit to JCC Krakow.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Client-Choice Distribution with Dignitymethodology: client_choice_distributionBy using a retail-style food pantry model instead of pre-packed distributions, the organization increases dignity and personal agency among recipients, because choice fosters self-respect and engagement, leading to more effective support for refugees and community members in need.
- Community-Centered Jewish Revivalmethodology: community-centered_jewish_revivalBy creating a warm, welcoming, and pluralistic environment in Krakow, the organization fosters reconnection with Jewish identity, particularly among those rediscovering their heritage, because belonging and positive emotional experience drive engagement more effectively than formal or historical approaches alone.
- Experiential and Intergenerational Engagement Modelmethodology: experiential_community_engagementBy combining experiential learning—through holiday celebration, sensory rituals like the shofar, and peer-led exploration—with intergenerational knowledge transfer, particularly from Holocaust survivors, the organization deepens identity formation because lived experience and direct connection make heritage tangible and personally meaningful.
- Integrated Refugee Support for Long-Term Integrationmethodology: integrated_refugee_supportBy combining emergency aid with integration services such as community engagement and access to Jewish life, the organization supports long-term self-sufficiency among refugees, because holistic support addressing both material and identity-based needs improves resilience and belonging.
- Symbolic and Action-Based Renewalmethodology: return_over_remembranceBy framing Jewish renewal in Poland around active return and symbolic gestures like the Shofar sculpture—rather than passive remembrance—the organization inspires hope and transformation among visitors and participants, because positive, forward-looking symbolism reshapes emotional and communal narratives around Jewish life in Poland.