New research from the Jewish Federations of North America finds that investments in professional talent, leadership development, and employee well-being are strengthening the Federation workforce and improving employee engagement. 

 

Drawing on workforce and employee experience data from more than 100 Jewish Federations, the report finds that employees are increasingly likely to recommend their organizations as great places to work, remain in the Jewish communal sector long term, and feel supported by their leaders. At the same time, the findings identify opportunities to further strengthen workplace culture through better communication, manager development, and more effective feedback systems. 

 

The report combines findings from Jewish Federations’ 2025 Salary and Benefits Survey, completed by 109 Federations, with Leading Edge’s Employee Experience Survey, which included responses from more than 2,000 employees across 42 Federations and achieved a 78% response rate. Together, the surveys provide one of the most comprehensive snapshots to date of the Federation workforce. 

 

Among the report’s key findings: 

• 89% of employees said they are proud to work for their organizations, while 76% would recommend it as a great place to work. 
• 72% expect to still be working at their organization in two years, a five point increase since 2023. 
• 63% intend to remain in their organization or elsewhere in the Jewish communal sector for at least five years or until retirement.
• Employees who feel they belong at their organization are nearly eight times more likely to expect to remain with their employer in two years. 
• 72% said employees' well being is a priority at their organization, seven percentage points higher than in 2023, with improvements across nearly every well being measure. 
• Jewish Federations have trained more than 2,000 managers through the Essentials of Jewish Federation Management program, and 77% of employees now say the feedback they receive from their manager supports their professional growth. 

 

The report also highlights the growing diversity of the Jewish Federations workforce. Today, more than 8,000 people work across Jewish Federations, with women making up 73% of the workforce and 67% of executive leadership roles. 21% of employees identify as non-white, nearly 10% identify as LGBTQ+, and 40% are not Jewish, reflecting the range of talent supporting Jewish communities across North America. 

 

The findings suggest that retention depends not only on mission, but also on organizational culture. Employees who reported confidence in leadership, strong communication, meaningful feedback and a sense of belonging were significantly more likely to remain in their organization. This emphasizes the importance of continued investment in professional development and workplace excellence across the Jewish Federation system.