Department Updates
Strategy and Impact
• As part of the Strategy & Impact team’s efforts to enhance relationships with our local partners, the FY26 local grantees were convened on Jan. 7 for the Jewish Federation’s Annual Partners Meeting. This provided an opportunity for funded grantees to hear from President and CEO Michael Balaban and Chief Strategy and Impact Officer Kelly Romirowsky about the Jewish Federation’s strategic goals and funding updates for the next two years. In addition, internal staff had the chance to hear feedback from our onthe-ground partners.
• We received a record number of grant proposals for FY27. Review of these proposals is well underway with both professional staff and lay leaders.
• The Jewish Community Fund (JCF) received 80+ applications (includes 14 new applicants servicing the Philadelphia community, including campus Chabad Houses)
• The Women of Vision (WOV) Endowment Fund received 18 applications (including six new organizations to WOV)
• The Bernard and Etta Weinberg Family Fund received 11 applications through an inviteonly process.
• The Jewish Federation Real Estate (JFRE) Fund received 49 applications.
• The Strategy & Impact team is working to provide educational and interactive opportunities for our professional staff and lay leaders to engage more
with our local partner agencies. The first local “mini-mission” took place on Jan. 29 and highlighted Temple Hillel, The Greater Philly Hillel Network, The Chevra and Mercaz PhillyUp. An educational lunch and learn is planned for Feb. 4, highlighting the collaborative work Dinah, Jewish Women International, JFCS, and The Hebrew Benevolent Society are doing to support victims of domestic violence in our community. We will continue to plan and publicize various Jewish Federation and agency led events throughout the year.
• The Strategy & Impact department is thrilled to welcome Lior Shalvi and Shani Shulman to our Israel team!
Finance/IT/Operations/Real Estate/Donor Services and Data Services
• The Annual Campaign (the first year of transition from fiscal year to calendar year) officially closed on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026.
• Pledge receivables are being cleaned up and all uncollected pledges from campaigns prior to 2025 are being written off. We have made many attempts to collect these funds with no payment.
• Data cleanup and preparation for mapping of data from the current CRM to the Microsoft Dynamics CRM continue. We are pacing according to the conversion timeline that targets go-live on the new CRM on June 11.
• The audit committee will meet in January 2026 to review and approve the 2025 financial statement audit.
JCRC and Government Affairs
• The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) Department worked with the Wissahickon School District to host a listening session for Jewish families on Jan. 13. More than 100 participants registered. The goal of the listening session was to bridge the gap between district administration and concerned parents and residents. Together, we created a shared understanding of systemic issues and community trauma, serving as a launchpad for productive dialogue. Our ultimate goal was to help the district build a safer, more welcoming environment for all.
• JCRC partnered with Global Citizen for the MLK Day of Service on Jan. 19. This day included a range of volunteer and service opportunities that offered meaningful ways to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy through action and community engagement.
• JCRC partnered with Challah and Soul and the Free Library of Philadelphia for a film screening and panel discussion of “From Swastika to Jim Crow” on Jan. 20. The documentary explored the littleknown story of Jewish refugee scholars teaching at historically Black colleges before and during the Second World War.
• JCRC partnered with the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History and ADL Philadelphia for “From Dehumanization to Dialogue: A Conversation With Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib” on Jan. 29. The conversation focused on confronting Hamas, supporting Israeli and Palestinian civilians, and exploring pragmatic, values-driven paths forward.
• From Feb. 1-9, JCRC is leading an Interfaith Mission to Israel together with Pastor Todd Stavrakos and his organization, Pathways. Participants from various churches, synagogues, and organizations will visit the Galilee, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and the Jewish Federation’s Partnership2Gether Region in Netivot and Sdot Negev to foster a deeper understanding of one another’s unity and faith, create lasting personal connections, and help bridge historical divides.
Community Leadership Development / Engagement
• Over 1,000 community members attended Chanukah celebrations all over Greater Philadelphia. From Rittenhouse Square to Doylestown and Yardley, our community came together to showcase unity, warmth and Jewish pride. Each gathering lit its own menorah, but together they illuminated the entire region. To see a recap of Chanukah 2025, click here.
• Plans are moving forward for Purim programs across the region as well as Passover at the Zoo on March 22.
• Registration is open for our Leadership Essentials Workshops. Our first session on Jan. 22 was “Engaging and Retaining Volunteers” and was facilitated by the team at Assembly. Additional sessions were around the topics of fundraising, board development, finance for non-profits and making meetings meaningful. Our next session will be on Feb. 12, 2026 and will focus on the topic of “Finance for Jewish Nonprofits: Building Financial Strength with Purpose.”
• The Jewish Federation Community Council met on Jan. 8 to hear from Board Co-Chairs Mark Fishman and Michele S. Levin about their priorities for the Jewish Federation and to “Ask the CEO” questions about the organization. These seasoned leaders were able to hear candid insights and gain a behind-thescenes look at the issues shaping our community.
Human Resources
• We welcome our two new Israel Team colleagues, Partnership2Gether (P2G) Project Manager Shani Shulman and Operations Coordinator Lior Shalvi. Both Shulman and Shalvi are reporting to Director of Israel and Global Operations Tali Lidar.
• We welcome our two new Jewish Federation colleagues, Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) Director Sam Thomas and Educational Improvement Tax Credit Programs (EITC) Administrative Assistant Janae Ferrigno.
Board of Ambassadors & Board of Directors Marketing Kit
For 125 years, we have been Here As One. Since 1901, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia has stood at the heart of our region’s Jewish life — a cornerstone of compassion, resilience, and shared purpose. Our story began with community members and a set of eight agencies who believed that when we move forward together, we can meet any moment.
And for 125 years, we have shown up for one another with unwavering strength. And every step of the way, it has been the people of this community – donors, volunteers, advocates and leaders like you — who have carried this work forward.
Here As One, we deliver meals to Holocaust Survivors, support students facing antisemitism, help families afford Jewish summer camp, and stand with the people of Israel in times of need.
Here As One, we invest in the safety, vitality, and continuity of Jewish life – for today, tomorrow and the generations yet to come. Because the future of our community is not something
ENSURE THE NEXT 125 YEARS
CLICK HERE to access the updated Board of Ambassadors and Board of Directors marketing kit and help amplify the Jewish Federation’s impact as we look toward our next chapter.
we wait for; it is something we shape together, through the choices we make and the commitments we uphold.
Our story is not just about where we’ve been. It is the shared story of thousands of individuals who chose to care, to give and to take responsibility for one another. And it is an invitation - and a promise - to keep building a Jewish future that is strong, inclusive and enduring.
As we mark our 125th anniversary, we honor our legacy, celebrate our community and pledge to continue rising –Here As One.
The Marketing Toolkit includes:
• Emails
• Flyers
• Talking Points
• Social Media
• And so much more for you to use!
jewishphilly.org/leadership-toolkit
FRD/Affinity/Endowment
• The endowment campaign surpassed the Jewish Community Foundation’s goal, ending the year with $103 million raised.
• The Jewish Community Foundation hosted professional advisors on the evening of Jan. 27 for networking and a presentation of “Top Ten Charitable Giving Mistakes Made by Donors or Their Advisors,” by independent philanthropy advisor Rick Peck, CFP®, CAP®, IPA®.
• The Life & Legacy Initiative met its second-year goals with 213 letters of intent to create legacy gifts for the 13 different participating organizations and synagogues.
• JFRE raised $867,000, including a record $634,000 in corporate sponsorship dollars, in 2025. Additionally, JFRE ended the year with 350-plus total members.
• The Financial Resource Development (FRD) Department has launched the inaugural Jewish Federation annual sponsorship program. Outreach has started to companies across the region to participate in this new and exciting way to support the work done throughout the community.
• Women of Vision has an exciting lineup of programs ahead, which began with our annual Book Review on Jan. 29. The discussion focused on “Heart of a Stranger: An Unlikely Rabbi’s Story of Faith, Identity, and Belonging” by Angela Buchdahl and was facilitated by Beverly Rosen. On Feb. 19, we will host a joint program with Women’s Philanthropy featuring award-winning photographer Debbie Zimelman, followed by a March Zoom program connected to this year’s advocacy theme, “Trailblazing Women: Reshaping Our Future.”
• Women’s Philanthropy hosted a Community Zoom on Jan. 21. This was an opportunity for the community to hear directly from our Women’s Philanthropy leadership about what’s happening now, what’s ahead, and how our community is making an impact across Greater Philadelphia and beyond.
• On Jan. 16, Women Philanthropy participated in the monthly food packaging and distribution for the Jewish Relief Agency, our grantee in Northeast Philadelphia.
• Over 60 women are getting excited to travel to Panama with Women’s Philanthropy from March 1-5.
• In partnership with Momentum, Women’s Philanthropy is preparing to take 20 women to Israel in July. This is a rescheduled trip from June 2025.
• NextGen’s Pathway Fellowship began in January, welcoming 19 rising leaders and philanthropists from different backgrounds and life stages.
• NextGen is going to Israel this summer from June 1926, bringing at least 20 young Jewish professionals.
• National Young Leadership Cabinet applications opened Jan. 15, and will remain open until April 30. We are continuing to recruit for this year’s cohort and maintain a strong Philadelphia presence.
save the date Your Guide to Upcoming Jewish Federation Events
Marketing/Events/PR
• The Marketing Department is excited to officially celebrate the Jewish Federation’s 125th anniversary— and we’d love your help spreading the word. To support you in sharing your passion for the Jewish Federation, we’re pleased to provide an updated Board of Ambassadors and Board of Directors marketing kit, featuring tools and resources that highlight our impact through the lens of 125 years. To access the kit, click here.
• In total, the Jewish Federation secured 137 pieces of coverage in December, focusing on the organization’s response to the Bondi Beach attack, the open letter following the Wissahickon School District antisemitic incident, and Chanukah celebrations. These articles included features in the Philadelphia Inquirer, JTA, NBC10 and CBS3.
• Articles featuring the Jewish Federation in December were exposed to an estimated audience of 630 million people and received over 8.9 million views, underscoring the Jewish Federation’s role in supporting the Jewish community both in times of tragedy and of joy. To see the full recap, click here .
• On the social media front, Facebook saw a dramatic increase in engagement (+1,224.8% increase from the previous month) and views (+386% increase from the previous month), which was largely due to the “Statement on Wissahickon School District” post on Dec. 20. This post on Facebook had a reach of 106,686 and view count of 174,282. To see the full social media recap from December, click here.
• From Jan 1, 2025 - Dec. 31, 2025, over 7,013 nonunique guests attended our 181 events.
• The Marketing Department officially posted our first collaboration with Israeli social media ambassador Brahn Worku, who uses her platform to showcase the beauty and diversity of Judaism as an Ethiopian Jew. You can see our first post about the Jewish Ethiopian holiday Sigd by clicking here.
Help Us Promote the Vital Mission of the Jewish Federation.
Check out the Board of Directors’ Marketing Toolkit for resources, messaging points and more.
Click Here u t
Finance Snapshot
Operating Results FYTD ............................................................................... November 2025
Compared to Operating Forecast
Operating Surplus ............................................................................................ $136,685
Staffing Levels ................................................................................................... 85
Surplus (Deficit) from staffing levels $204,216
Surplus (Deficit) from Bond Interest Expense ....................................... $146,067
Surplus (Deficit) from All Other Areas ...................................................... $(213,598)
JCF Pledge Accounts Receivable as of January 5, 2026
FY 2024 Campaign
$14,847
FY 2025 Campaign ........................................................................................... $1,606,932
Total ...................................................................................................... $1,621,778
Operating Cash Balance ................................................................................. $5,600,000
Provisional and subject to final audit adjustments
Summary by Calendar Year Campaign (BBEC Gift Year Specified by Donor)
Source: Financial Accounting System As of 12/30/25
(1)
Allocable & Net Restricted
CY2024
