History and Mission

The Jewish Center and Federation of the Twin Tiers has its roots in the Elmira Jewish Welfare Fund, also known as the Elmira/Corning Jewish Federation, and the Elmira Jewish Community Center. The Federation and the Center combined their operations in 1998 as the Jewish Center and Federation of the Twin Tiers (JCF).

As its full name indicates, the JCF serves the Southern Tier of New York, centered on Elmira (Chemung County) and Corning (Steuben County), and the Northern Tier of Pennsylvania, including Tioga and Bradford counties.

The JCF sponsors a variety of cultural, educational, and social programs throughout the community. Activities take place at Congregation Kol Ami in Elmira and at other locations. We have a monthly movie series, lectures, concerts, adult education programs, and more aimed at bringing Jewish culture to the community.

The JCF also participates in philanthropic activities through annual fund-raising campaigns and administering a local program of emergency assistance. It distributes funds locally to the Food Bank of the Southern Tier and to various community food pantries; nationally to organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League, and internationally through the Jewish Federations of North America and directly to charities such as the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society Soroka Medical Center in Israel. Emergency assistance is provided without any religious requirement.

As a group, we also cook a meal once a month at the Elmira Community Kitchen through our Mitzvah Committee.

If you would like to know more about the JCF or about becoming a member, please feel free to contact us at office@jewiselmira.org or by clicking here.