Since its founding in 1917, the Central Welfare Board of Jews in Germany (ZWST) has followed its guiding principle of empowering people to help themselves. As the social welfare umbrella organization of the Jewish communities in Germany, the ZWST supports vulnerable groups within the Jewish community. These include children and young people, families, older adults, people with disabilities, refugees, as well as Shoah survivors and their descendants—through counselling, nationwide programs, and targeted support. The ZWST is also active in strengthening Jewish communities, in antisemitism-critical education and research, and in humanitarian aid worldwide. Our work goes beyond offering assistance: we aim to empower individuals to become helpers themselves—through volunteering, service programs or professional engagement. 

In recent years, multiple crises have challenged us. The COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the events of October 7, 2023 and their impact in Germany have placed the Jewish community under continued strain. Rising costs, an increasingly harsh political climate, and the need to keep our programs as inclusive and safe as possible—particularly amid rising incidents of antisemitic violence—pose growing challenges to our work. Yet this is precisely the moment when everyone who needs support must receive it. A strong Jewish welfare system is more vital than ever. 

For this reason, from 8–21 December 2025, surrounding the Jewish Festival of Lights, Chanukkah, we are launching our first large-scale fundraising campaign. 

We ask our supporters: Help us help others. 
 Your contribution ensures that the ZWST can continue to provide reliable support—especially for the many vulnerable groups in the Jewish community who often remain unseen. 

Where your support makes an impact — key figures from 2025 

Machanot (youth educational camps): incubators of Jewish life in Germany. 

They have shaped generations, built lifelong friendships, and fostered self-determined Jewish identity. In 2025, 1,053 children and young people from across Germany took part, along with 92 participants of the AchtzehnPlus Machane—supported by 263 team members, most of them volunteers. We are committed to ensuring that every Jewish child and young person—regardless of financial background—can access this safe and empowering space. 

Kosher educational centers

Kosher educational centers of the ZWST host numerous seminars, educational stays and training sessions each year, including volunteer support programs. 
In 2025, they recorded around 22,300 overnight stays at the Kurheim Beni Bloch and Max-Willner-Heim. Rising costs and necessary security measures threaten our ability to maintain this essential infrastructure. 

Support centers for Shoah survivors

In the nationwide support centers for Shoah survivors and their families, approximately 2300 survivors received assistance, including 70 elderly survivors from Ukraine who were evacuated to Germany in individual transports after the outbreak of the war. Since October 7, 2023, the need for psychosocial support has risen significantly, particularly among members of the so-called second generation. In the Frankfurt support center alone, 400 people make use of the available programs.

10 years of the German-Israeli Volunteer Service 

Since 2015, 262 volunteers from both countries have participated. 

10 years of inclusive child and youth work 

Since 2015, the ZWST’s inclusion department GESHER has enabled children with support needs to participate in Machanot with reduced barriers. Specially trained inclusion counsellors receive ongoing training to provide tailored support. 

Social support and Hardship Fund

89,197 members of Jewish communities in Germany at the end of 2024. 
38,448 approved applications from the Hardship Fund addressing structural old-age poverty—a particularly high approval rate among Jewish quota refugees. 

Humanitarian aid in Ukraine 

83,487 people were reached through humanitarian assistance. 
With 45% of Jewish community members in Germany having roots in Ukraine, the war has a profound impact on our community. Since January 2022, the ZWST—through its member organization OlamAid—has been active in humanitarian aid, including relief deliveries, psychosocial support, and reconstruction efforts. These activities rely entirely on donations. 

Volunteer-training

1,312 participants in volunteer-training seminars. Volunteers are a cornerstone of Jewish community life—youth center leaders, senior club coordinators, choir and dance group facilitators, and those visiting community members in need. Continuing this training work is essential. 

Federal Voluntary Service

620 Federal Voluntary Service participants across 115 placements with 44 pedagogical seminars. Volunteers are indispensable in many Jewish communities and institutions. The ZWST has the highest proportion of volunteers with migration backgrounds and the highest average age among all German agencies offering federal volunteer service. Rising training costs pose increasing challenges. 

ZWST’s Migration Counselling Service (MBE)

5,014 people supported by ZWST’s Migration Counselling Service (MBE). 

Digital Transformation

24 digital training sessions by the Digital Transformation Department Mabat, strengthening digital literacy among professionals in Jewish communities nationwide. 

As a registered non-profit organisation and recognized welfare association, we adhere to strict transparency and compliance standards. The responsible use of donations is a top priority. Independent bodies regularly audit our financial stewardship. The ZWST is a member of the German Donation Council and a signatory of the Initiative for a Transparent Civil Society. 

Feel free to contact us directly:
zentrale@zwst.org

Thank you for your support!