SUPPORTING ISRAEL AND GLOBAL JEWRY
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia firmly believes in the Jewish value of “Kol Yisrael arevim zeh la-zeh” or “All Jews are responsible for one another.” In enacting this vision of being connected with the Jewish homeland and to Jews around the world, the Jewish Federation forms deep-rooted, global partnerships, funds organizations that enhance Jewish life and pride, provides basic everyday needs, and deploys rescue and relief services in times of crisis.
Global Impact in Fiscal Year 2024*
Meet Odelia Ben Porat
Gumat Chen Director
It is very exciting to see that girls who came to Gumat Chen after dropping out of school are now working hard to advance their careers. I want to thank the Jewish Federation because they were the first to believe in us.”
ABOUT THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA
23,000 nazi victims helped in the Former Soviet Union through the Jewish Federation partnership with JDC
25,000 youth, aged 3-18, from 53 evacuated communities participated in educational and mental health programming through the Jewish Federation’s support of Dror Israel
2.5 million meals, food packages and hygiene kits provided in Israel
*These numbers do not include Emergency or DAF funding
Since 1901, the Jewish Federation has mobilized resources to support the community’s most pressing needs. In Fiscal Year 2024, the Jewish Federation invested $80.7 million into the community through its three pillars: Caring for Those in Need Locally, Supporting Israel and Global Jewry, and Securing a Vibrant Jewish Future.”
Support this mission by making a gift today: jewishphilly.org/donate
Community Leadership Development / Engagement
• The Kehillot hosted and participated in five Purim events which reached more than 1,500 community members, including Kehillah of Lower Merion “Clergy Beit Cafe” variety show, raising over $7,000 for Kibbutz Alumim.
• The Leadership Development Advisory Board hosted a skills-based session for over 50 Jewish Federation, congregational and agency leaders on April 10. This virtual interactive workshop, entitled “Meaningful Meetings: How to ensure your time is used wisely,” helped lay leaders to better understand how to intentionally plan meetings and create best practices for before, during and after the meetings.
• Agency chairs and presidents gathered virtually on April 22 to network with other agency leaders from across the region to identify key issues that face the community today and learn about resources that the Jewish Federation has to support them in their work.
• Plans are underway for the Spring Annual Meeting to be held on May 28 at Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel. The evening will feature a reception and will include highlighting accomplishments from the past year, celebrating leadership, voting on the slate of the Board of Directors and an inspirational presentation from Jewish Federations of North America’s Chief Jewish Learning Officer Rabbi Michael Uram. The meeting is geared for Jewish Federation, agency, community, and congregational leaders and members.
FRD/Affinity/Endowment
• Women of Vision (WOV) hosted a parlor meeting in Wynnewood to recruit new members to join the group.
• Next month, WOV will hear from five Israeli grant finalists prior to the entire WOV membership voting on which organizations will receive funding from the endowment.
• Twenty-nine members of our community participated in the March of the Living Mission and spent time in Poland before enjoying Shabbat in Israel. It was an incredibly emotional mission, which included bearing witness to the Holocaust as well as the aftermath of Oct. 7.
• NextGen will be bringing 18 rising leaders and philanthropists to Israel this June for the first time in over five years.
• JFRE held a networking lunch for Women in Real Estate. Over 30 attendees enjoyed the opportunity to connect with others in the industry.
• Women’s Philanthropy is holding a Community Meeting, open to all women, on May 7 with PA’s First Lady Lori Shapiro. Over 150 women are expected to attend. This will also serve as an opportunity to acknowledge all that has taken place during the past year under the leadership of Women’s Philanthropy Co-Chairs Robin Robbins and Jen Thomas.
• The new EITC Committee had its first meeting with eight members.
• The Jewish Community Foundation Philanthropy Officer Sonya Aronowitz attended the National Life & Legacy Conference to learn from experts and colleagues on endowment building.
• The Professional Advisors Network held a networking event and panel discussion about antisemitism on campus at the offices of Dechert LLP on the evening of May 7.
