Michael Hoffman, President & CEO, Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County

In an interview with Invest:, Michael Hoffman, president and CEO of Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, discussed the organization’s role in strengthening Jewish life and addressing key challenges in the region. “We view ourselves as the city hall of the Jewish community in Palm Beach County,” he said.

What is the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County doing to promote and safeguard the interests of the Jewish community in Palm Beach and South Florida?
Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County is one of the oldest and largest Jewish philanthropic organizations in Palm Beach County. We view ourselves as the city hall of the Jewish community in this region. We build and strengthen Jewish life in Palm Beach, Israel, and around the world, serving as the center for Jewish philanthropy, leadership, and community engagement.
We work with approximately 40 different local agencies and programs, as well as a series of overseas organizations, all aligned with our mission. Over the past five to seven years, and particularly accelerated post-COVID, we have witnessed a dramatic shift in the demographics of the Jewish community in Palm Beach County.
To provide some context, in 2007, our Federation service area, which spans from Boynton Beach north through Martin County (Boca Raton and Delray Beach are served by a different Jewish Federation), had about 100,000 people living in Jewish households, with 70% residing here seasonally. At that time, there were roughly 8,000 children in the community. By 2016-2017, a demographic study showed that the number had grown to 166,000 people in Jewish homes, including about 25,000 children. Now, post-COVID, our Federation service area includes approximately 180,000 people living in Jewish households, and we project that number will reach 200,000 within the next three to five years. The fastest-growing demographic is families with children. The average age in downtown West Palm Beach is 36 years old, and Palm Beach County as a whole is now the fourth-largest Jewish community in the country, behind New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
Our current focus is on harnessing this growth and cultivating a vibrant and welcoming Jewish community. We aim to connect newcomers with Jewish life and with one another, fostering connections that deepen engagement and belonging.

Over the past year, what have been the most meaningful ways the Federation has supported the Jewish community in South Florida?
The state of Florida ranks fourth in the nation for antisemitic incidents, and Palm Beach County ranks first within the state. In response, we established the Palm Beach Center to Combat Antisemitism & Hatred. The Palm Beach Center builds strong alliances with the non-Jewish community, recognizing that combating antisemitism is not solely a Jewish issue. We are committed to confronting all forms of hatred in Palm Beach County. and to the overall health and vibrancy of the entire community.
A critical component of the Palm Beach Center to Combat Antisemitism & Hatred is enhancing safety by providing security grants, training and resources to more than 35 Jewish organizations and programs to strengthen their security measures so that everyone feels safe and protected when entering Jewish spaces. The vibrancy of Jewish life in our community is inspiring, and it deserves to thrive in a secure environment.
Another major focus has been our ongoing response to the October 7 terror attacks in Israel and the devastating aftermath Israelis face after two years of war on seven fronts. We are actively working to support the people of Israel, helping them rebuild both emotionally and physically. This includes providing humanitarian aid, trauma support, and resources for communities directly impacted by violence. This effort has been a top priority for our donors and constituents who have demonstrated an extraordinary outpouring of solidarity, compassion, and generosity.

Which programs or services have seen the most significant growth in demand, and how is the Federation adapting to meet these evolving community needs?
One area of increasing demand is human services, particularly mental health support. We collaborate closely with our partners at Alpert Jewish Family Service (JFS), which has seen a dramatic rise in the need for mental health care, both post-COVID and after October 7. Stress, trauma, and anxiety are significant concerns in the community. JFS currently provides approximately 25,000 hours of counseling, with single parents and teenagers being among the most affected groups.
Economic instability is another pressing issue. Palm Beach County has become one of the most expensive places to live, with housing costs and general living expenses rising sharply. Many individuals and families face difficult choices between basic necessities such as food, childcare, and healthcare. This is especially true for older adults, including Holocaust survivors. Palm Beach County has the second-largest number of Holocaust survivors in the U.S., outside of New York, and we work with JFS to support their needs. In addition, single-parent households are particularly vulnerable economically.
On a more positive note, there has been a surge in demand for Jewish engagement programs. Our Mandel JCC operates Camp Shalom in Boynton Beach and Palm Beach Gardens, with 1,500 children enrolled in summer day camps, which sell out within days. The Mandel JCC’s preschool and after-school programs are also at full capacity. Additionally, the Meyer Jewish Preparatory School serves junior kindergarten through eighth grade and has seen enrollment grow from 73 to 202 students over the past five years. Teen programming has also expanded significantly. Mandel JCC teen programs have grown from 83 participants to 692 in just the past year and a half. This reflects a strong desire among families for their children to connect with Jewish culture, identity, and leadership development.

Can you share how partnerships with local nonprofits, religious organizations, or civic groups have expanded your community outreach or enhanced your service delivery?
One of the primary focus areas for the Palm Beach Center to Combat Antisemitism and Hatred is our emphasis on building allies outside of the Jewish community. The Center has organized several delegations of non-Jewish leaders from the greater Palm Beaches community to visit Israel, including school board members, nonprofit leaders, and academic figures. Upon their return, these individuals have become some of the Jewish community’s strongest allies, and we collaborate with these leaders to address all forms of hatred and intolerance.
We now have a robust alumni network of non-Jewish leaders working together to promote tolerance, elevate civil society, and combat hatred in all its forms. We are deeply appreciative of their friendship and partnership.
What areas are you looking to expand into or areas of opportunity to improve the lives of Jewish residents in South Florida?
One key area we promote is hands-on volunteerism through our Kohl Jewish Volunteer Center, where we encourage participation within and beyond the Jewish community. Approximately 3,000 people volunteered through this initiative this past year, and we anticipate continued significant growth. Volunteerism offers a low-barrier way for individuals to make a positive difference in the lives of others, through synagogues, gated communities, businesses, and other channels, and participation is open to everyone.
Additionally, our partnerships with hunger relief organizations, local churches, soup kitchens, and Palm Beach Atlantic University allow us to build bridges between the Jewish and non-Jewish communities, strengthening overall community relations.

What are some of the most significant challenges facing the Jewish community in South Florida at the moment, and how is your organization working to address these problems?
We are deeply concerned about the increasing demand for mental health and case management services, which currently outpaces available capacity. Our human services partner, Alpert Jewish Family Service, has a waitlist of 100 individuals seeking mental health support.
Another challenge, albeit a positive one, is the rapid growth of our community. More people are moving to our community and expressing a desire to engage in Jewish life, which requires us to expand our infrastructure. Currently, we have 700 individuals involved in Federation committees, which is a significant number, but we need more lay leaders and professionals to help facilitate connections to Jewish life.
Our institutions are already at capacity, and our new initiative – the Palm Beach Movement to Activate Jewish Life – seeks to meet increased demand for connection by expanding meaningful Jewish experiences and creating welcoming spaces. For example, our Palm Beach Gardens campus is in the midst of a capital campaign to support the plans for The Exter Center, a proposed state-of-the-art,20,000-square-foot multipurpose center. This expansion will include a gym, arts and cultural space, teen center, and facilities for camp and other programs.
Additionally, the Mandel JCC in Boynton Beach will require a $50 million capital campaign to renovate its facility. We are also working with synagogues in West Palm Beach to assess the necessary infrastructure to support the growing Jewish population in the downtown area. While many communities struggle with retention, we are fortunate to face the challenge of managing rapid growth.