Because of You, Federation Was There for Me in Moments of Heartbreak and Joy

My name is Becca Langfelder, and today I serve as the Director of the Young Leadership Division at the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta. But long before I was a Federation professional—or even really understood what Federation was—I was a beneficiary of its impact.

I grew up in Atlanta’s Jewish community—attending Temple Sinai preschool, Jewish summer day camp, briefly in day school, Sunday school—you name it. At the time, it just felt like “normal” Jewish life. But what I didn’t realize until I started working here was how deeply Federation was woven into all of it.

I truly came to understand Federation’s power when I was 18, and my father was diagnosed with cancer. His decline was rapid. After participating in a clinical trial, we had to be helicoptered back to Atlanta. By the time we arrived home, hospice care had already been arranged. It was seamless, compassionate, and ready—thanks to Weinstein Hospice, part of Jewish HomeLife, which is supported by Federation.

In the middle of the most devastating experience of my life, we didn’t have to worry about logistics or paying a bill. I saw the weight lifted off my mother’s shoulders, and it was in that moment that I understood what it meant to be part of a caring Jewish community. It didn’t matter how “plugged in” we were. It mattered that we were Jewish and that we were part of this community.

A few months later, after my dad passed, I started college at the University of Georgia, and I received an interest-free loan from JELF (the Jewish Educational Loan Fund), another Federation-supported organization. That loan allowed me to join Sigma Delta Tau, the Jewish sorority on campus. It gave me the chance to live like a normal college student—participating in events, making friends, and reconnecting with Jewish life after a difficult year. It enabled me to take on leadership roles in the sorority such as becoming President and spearheading our philanthropy event. It enabled me to be plugged in to Hillel and Chabad on campus—strengthening my Jewish identity and connection to Israel.

That experience set me on a path that shaped everything that came after. Joining that sorority was the spark that led me to a career in the Jewish nonprofit world. It helped me find my voice as a proud and active Jew. And eventually, it led me right here—to Federation.

When I first started working at Federation, I began hearing stories about my dad from lay leaders who had known him decades ago. I learned that he had gone on Federation mission trips and had been actively involved in the community. It made me feel close to him again in a way I hadn’t expected—and helped me better understand the power of being engaged, connected, and present. It wasn’t just about writing a check. It was about showing up, giving of your time and energy, and being part of something bigger than yourself. That’s what we try to cultivate every day in YLD (Young Leadership Division): a community where people don’t just give—they belong.

What’s so powerful to me about these moments is that they aren’t the “typical” Federation stories people usually hear. We often talk about our big partner organizations—like our day schools, synagogues, or the MJCCA—and those institutions are incredibly important. But for me, the most life-changing impact came in quieter, more personal moments. The hospice care that met us at our front door. The interest-free loan that helped me feel like I belonged again. These are the stories that often go unseen—but they are the moments that matter most to families like mine.

I’ve been touched by Federation in both the joyful and the heartbreaking moments of life. And that’s what I think people sometimes forget—Federation isn’t just for times of crisis or financial need. You don’t have to be struggling to be a recipient. Sometimes it’s about creating the Jewish life you want to live. Sometimes it’s about getting support when life breaks your heart. And sometimes, like in my case, it’s both.

Because of the generosity of people who gave before me, I was cared for, seen, and supported. And now, I give too—because I want someone else to have that same safety net. That same spark. That same sense of belonging.

Because of you, I get to serve the community that shaped me. And I do it with deep gratitude.