Shomrei Torah
Congregation Shomrei Torah is an intimate lay-led congregation in Tallahassee, Florida We have no clergy but occasionally have a rabbi or cantor visit for a few days. The shul was founded by a group of Jewish families in 1976. Members lead services, share and participate in life-long learning, educate children, carry on other shul programs, and support each other in times of joy and sadness. Congregation Shomrei Torah is affiliated with the United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism.
Temple Israel
Tallahassee is a congregation of more than 300 families. With a great team of professional staff, led by Rabbi Paul Sidlofsky, we host a vibrant religious school, and are home to one of the city's most respected early learning centers. Our sacred community is a place of worship, lifelong Jewish learning, social gathering and social justice. We are proud of how each member brings one’s own story to create our diverse mosaic. All members are valued, whether a multi-generational family or new to Temple Israel - Tallahassee. Rabbi Sidlofsky is very involved in interfaith and community outreach. We welcome interfaith couples and families, and people of all ages, backgrounds, identities and experiences who are seeking a warm and inclusive Jewish community.
Hillel at Florida State University
Hillel at FSU enriches the lives of 4,000 Jewish Noles so that they can enrich their communities and the world. We envision a world where Jewish students at Florida State are proud and joyful expressing and observing their Jewish culture and faith while appreciating the wide diversity and pluralism that exists among our people locally and globally.
Chabad of Tallahassee & FSU
Inspired by the teachings and legacy of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur and Chanie Oirechman founded Chabad Lubavitch of the Panhandle in Tallahassee in 2000. Since then, Chabad has served the Jewish communities of Tallahassee, the Panhandle, South Georgia, the Florida State Capitol, and local universities. In recent years, we have expanded with branches in Destin, Panama City Beach, and Pensacola. Today, Rabbi Ari and Rivky Oirechman have joined the rabbinical team, further expanding Chabad’s reach and impact. Together, they have strengthened programming and relationships with young professionals, graduate students, and community members, while continuing to support undergraduate students and families throughout the region. We welcome and embrace all Jews, regardless of background or affiliation. Chabad serves as a home away from home for thousands of Jewish students spending their school years in Tallahassee, far from their families. Whether you are looking for a warm meal, a place to relax, a listening ear, meaningful Jewish experiences, or a supportive community, Chabad is here for you.
HERC
The Holocaust Education Resource Council (HERC) provides instructional guidance, support and resources for educators who teach the history of the Holocaust, and educational programs for the community at-large. HERC has grown to host community events and programs, establish a dedicated group of volunteers to support education initiatives, and build a library of public resources to support educators. Today, HERC enters a new chapter as it expands its mission to support Holocaust education throughout Florida’s Panhandle.
Rhea Schwartz Camp Shalom
The Rhea Schwartz Camp Shalom is a two-week summer experience for Jewish campers and their friends that has been serving Tallahassee since 1997. It was founded by Rhea and Louis Schwartz and sponsored by the Tallahassee Jewish Federation. Campers enjoy a variety of activities including games, art, music, field trips, crafts, cooking, and more. Infused in all of these activities is the appreciation and enjoyment of Jewish culture. Many of the children that started as campers are now counselors and year after year keep coming back to join another season of camp.
PJ Library
PJ Library sends free high-quality Jewish children’s books to families every month. These stories spark conversations that inspire the whole family to explore and celebrate what they love about Jewish life. The program was created by the nonprofit Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF) in keeping with its mission to help people connect to Jewish values, traditions, and culture while building vibrant Jewish communities. Locally, the program is supported by the Tallahassee Jewish Federation, which helps bring families together through community meetups, holiday celebrations, and storytelling events. Local Community Resources Beyond the books, PJ Library connects local Jewish families with activities, learning and mitzvah activities, and more.
Dave Markell Teen Philanthropy Initiative
The Tallahassee Jewish Federation Teen Philanthropy Initiative was launched by David Markell z”l in 2006 as a program to empower teens to identify and address community needs, both locally and in Israel. Teens work together to become thoughtful grant-makers and to practice tikkun olam (repairing the world). Teens who participate learn how to run their own non-profit foundation, explore Jewish values and ideals, develop leadership skills, and practice informed and directed philanthropy.
Westminster Oaks
The Westminster Oaks Jewish Discussion Group is an opportunity for Jewish residents of Westminster Oaks, and non-Jewish residents and guests interested in Judaism, to meet monthly to celebrate the Sabbath and to discuss issues of interest to the Jewish community. It meets the second Friday at 3:15 pm in the Oak Room of the Parry Center. Frank Seidman, a resident of Westminster Oaks, is the liaison with the Tallahassee Jewish Federation.
Jewish Film Series
Beginning in 2008, the Jewish Film Series has brought in over 100 films covering a wide array of topics and from a large number of countries – including historical documentaries on the Civil War, baseball, public school construction in the south, to present day topics on food, music, television and film personalities. We have introduced films in French, Russian, Yiddish, Hebrew, Polish, Czech and more films, from countries near and far. Many of the films presented appeal to a larger audience, outside of the Jewish community. Without this partnership, many of these films would never have been shown in our community and likely would not be available to us.
Al Sulkes Camp Scholarships
The Al Sulkes Summer Camp Scholarship is an annual program offered by the Tallahassee Jewish Federation that provides financial assistance to help local children and teens attend Jewish summer camps. In 2026, a record number of Tallahassee families applied for, and were granted scholarships to enable children to attend camps around the United States. These scholarships have a direct and profound impact. They give children the chance to spend their summer in an immersive Jewish environment that nurtures friendship, confidence, pride, and lasting connection.
Donate
Your gift to the Tallahassee Jewish Federation helps strengthen Jewish life here in the Big Bend while supporting Jews in need in Israel and around the world.
