The Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans was established in 1913 through strategic collaboration among the city's marginalized and decentralized Jewish communities to welcome and care for the influx of Russian Jews immigrating to New Orleans. Federation ensured its educational and philanthropic influence extended into the broader New Orleans community, implementing a system of interfaith collaboration with Protestant and Catholic churches while also providing a form of "social security" to New Orleans' Jews.

Today, the mission and vision of Federation operate according to a multifaceted principle: to inspire the many diverse and talented members of New Orleans' Jewish community to explore, share and deepen their Jewish identities through engaging greater New Orleans, as well as other Jewish communities in Israel and around the world. While working diligently to disseminate the Jewish principle of "tikkun olam" (Hebrew for "repairing the world" through charity and social action) it funds vital social services and enriching programs