Department Updates
Strategy and Impact
• Strategy & Impact Project Manager Jessica Ghosh has been accepted into Bryn Mawr College’s Nonprofit Executive Leadership Institute (NELI) – a highly regarded program that equips emerging nonprofit leaders with tools in strategy, systems thinking and organizational leadership.
• Applications for FY27 funding across all grant processes are currently closed and being reviewed by professional staff before being shared with the relevant lay leader committees.
• For FY27, the Community Impact Committee voted to put aside a portion of Jewish Community Fund funding specifically for capacity-building initiatives in the area of mental health. This inviteonly grant opportunity is meant to provide funding for initiatives that will impact the broader Philadelphia Jewish community.
• The Israel team visited the United States in November. Director of Israel and Global Operations Tali Lidar joined the Philadelphia delegation to the JFNA General Assembly in Washington, DC, and Israel Program Representative Tamar Brody represented the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia at the Diller Global Leadership Conference. The Strategy & Impact team also took this opportunity to schedule several all-day strategy sessions to align on FY27 grant funding.
Community Leadership Development / Engagement
• Recent orientation sessions have brought together hundreds of lay leaders and professionals:
• Committee Chair Orientation (Oct. 16): 16 committees represented.
• Committee Member Orientation (Oct. 30): More than 100 participants across departments and generations.
• Congregational Presidents Orientation (Nov. 5): 30 presidents engaged in virtual dialogue on leadership development.
• The new Leadership Essentials Workshop Series, launching in January, will offer a five-part virtual training for community leaders. Registration is now open.
• Upcoming Orientation sessions:
• Agency Lay Leader Gathering - Dec. 2 at 12 p.m.
• Kehillah Coalition - Dec. 4 at 12 p.m.
• Congregational Board - Dec. 11 at 12 p.m.
• The Community Engagement team continues to build relationships with lay leaders and professionals to deepen understanding of Jewish Federation resources locally, regionally, and globally.
Finance/IT/Operations/Real Estate/Donor Services and Data
Services
• IT and Cybersecurity: Annual training completed by all staff, with expanded focus on deepfakes and AI-generated content.
• Learning Management System: Launching a new platform to encourage and track staff training.
• Data Strategy: Ongoing data cleansing in preparation for migration to a new donor database.
• Community Security: Developing a new three-year strategic plan; collaborating with Chabad to enhance building security.
• Finance: Annual audit underway, with completion and committee review expected in January 2026. The sale of the Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy portion of the Schwartz Campus has been recorded.
• Operations: Terminated campus management agreement with Stonehenge (effective Oct. 31, 2025); final reconciliation and transfer of duties in progress.
• Mitzvah Food Program: The federal shutdown reduced food availability from Share and Philabundance. The Mitzvah Food Program increased donor outreach and reviewed pricing to maximize purchasing power.
• Real Estate: Negotiating with Wyncote Academy to assume vacated Ramah space, generating higher rent per square foot.
Human Resources
• We’re pleased to welcome Senior Accountant Derek Czekaj (Nov. 3) and Community Engagement Manager Melissa Goldstein for the Buxmont Kehillah (Oct. 30).
• Following the Leading Edge employee engagement survey, the Chiefs identified three focus areas for the coming year: accountability and feedback, collaboration, and engagement with the board.
• The HR Department was named a finalist for the Delaware Valley HR Department of the Year Awards, nominated for both HR Department of the Year and the HR Excellence Award for Employee Relations. Winners will be announced Thursday, Nov. 13.
• Mazel tov to our notable staff anniversaries (15+ years):
• Susan Lundy, Senior Major Gifts Officer –17 years (Oct. 13)
• Carmen Adames, Executive Assistant to the CEO – 21 years (Oct. 18)
• Beth Razin, Strategy and Impact Program Officer – 21 years (Oct. 18)
• Erica Miller, Executive Assistant, Strategy and Impact – 24 years (Oct. 22)
• Robb Quattro, Director of IT – 21 years (Nov. 29)
• Mark Berman, Director of Creative – 24 years (Nov. 26)
• Marni Davis, Senior Director of Affinities and Volunteer Engagement – 28 years (Nov. 19)
Mitzvah Food Program
Since 1996, we have provided nutritious food with kosher options to individuals and families in Greater Philadelphia.
We believe that healthy food shouldn’t come at a cost. As part of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, our four pantries distribute nutritious food to all who are in need, regardless of race, income, gender, age or religion. In Fiscal Year 2025, we distributed more than 1 million pounds of fresh, frozen and nonperishable food to nearly 8,000 individual clients.
The Power of Choice
Rather than receiving a one-size-fits-all package, clients are able to select their own food and are incentivized to select healthier options through an allocated points system.
Meeting a Higher Demand
With rising prices of food and a growing number of clients, including Ukrainian refugees, your help is needed now more than ever.
Our Four Pantries
• Mainline at JFCS – Barbara and Harvey Brodsky Enrichment Center
• Northeast at KleinLife
• Old York Road at Beth Sholom Congregation
• Lower Bucks County at Congregation Tifereth Israel How You Can Help
• Spread the word to those in need to sign up for free food at jewishphilly.org/enroll
• Volunteer to pack and/or deliver food
• Drop off non-perishable kosher food, toiletries and cleaning supplies at a pantry or purchase items through the Mitzvah Food Program’s Amazon Wish List
• Hold a fundraiser for MFP at jewishphilly.org/MFPFundraiser
• Make a gift at jewishphilly.org/MFPdonate
“Food should not be taken for granted. It’s only one paycheck away where you may be in a situation like I am in. I truly believe that G-d brought me to the pantry for a reason.”
– Taneka, Client of the Jewish Federation’s Mitzvah Food Program
For more information: mitzvahfoodprogram@jewishphilly.org 215.832.0509 | jewishphilly.org/mfp
FRD/Affinity/Endowment
• Over the next month, the Women of Vision Strategic Planning Committee, co-chaired by Mindy Fortin and Carly Zimmerman, will be hosting a number of focus groups and one-onone interviews. This year’s Women of Vision grants process opened in October and will focus on creating long-lasting change for selfidentifying Jewish women and girls in the greater Philadelphia area.
• Last month, over 150 young Jewish Professionals gathered for NextGen’s Signature Event, where the focus was to continue expanding our network, and bring in new donors and leaders. In addition, nearly 60 young Jewish professionals were nominated to participate in NextGen’s upcoming Pathway Fellowship Program by community leaders, and have been invited to apply. Interviews have begun.
• On Nov. 6–7, the Sharon and Joseph Kestenbaum Legacy Philanthropy Program launched its inaugural Family Philanthropy Institute, bringing together multigenerational families to celebrate giving and explore shared values. The gathering featured a conversation with Julie Platt, past chair of JFNA, and a hands-on workshop led by philanthropic advisor Amy Holdsman. The Institute also marked the start of the Program’s fifth cohort, beginning this spring. To recommend a candidate, please contact Senior Major Gifts Officer Joel Schwarz at jschwarz@jewishphilly.org.
• Women’s Philanthropy partnered with Our Closet in Your Neighborhood, a program of Jewish Family and Children Service, to host winter coat and accessory collections across all regions of Greater Philadelphia. The community’s generosity was overwhelming, culminating in the November Coat Day at Congregation Rodeph Shalom, where over 1,200 coats were given away. It was wonderful to have so many Women’s Philanthropy volunteers at the event. This effort exemplified gemilut chasadim — acts of loving-kindness — and the power of community compassion.
• JFRE hosted its 13th Annual Legends and Leaders event, inducting Mitchell L. Morgan into the JFRE Hall of Fame. Nearly 600 real estate professionals from the Greater Philadelphia region and beyond joined in a morning of networking,
honoring Morgan, and hearing from some of Philadelphia’s top real estate minds on topics that included: Adaptive Reuse, Affordable Housing, Life Sciences and Healthcare, and Industrial – making it the most diverse range of speakers to date. It was also announced that JFRE had broken its 2024 corporate sponsorship fundraising record and raised $634,000 in 2025.
• This month, Women’s Philanthropy kicked off its Mission to Panama with a pre-trip gathering focused on sharing information and building community. Co-chaired by Emily Berman and Sherrie Spiegel, Women’s Philanthropy is excited to bring 60 women together for an inspiring journey to Panama this March!
• In collaboration with the Jewish Federation’s Partnership2Gether program, Women’s Philanthropy hosted four parlor meetings in local homes, including one in partnership with NextGen, featuring Chef Haim from the Jewish Federation’s partnership region of Netivot. Chef Haim shared his personal journey and stories of those affected by Oct. 7, led a cooking demonstration, and joined guests for a meaningful lunch together.
• The Fundraising team participated in a training session on Legacy and Endowment Giving. The session, led by an expert trainer, included group discussions centered on case studies and a roleplay demonstration to deepen understanding and strengthen practical skills.
• The Jewish Community Foundation launched its new website at jfgp.giftlegacy.com
• Jewish Community Foundation Director Max Moline and Philanthropy Officer Sonya Aronowitz attended the Philadelphia Planned Giving Council’s 2025 Planned Giving Day Conference, where experts presented a comprehensive day of instruction from the basics to the most advanced strategies in planned giving.
• Jewish Federation has inherited two condominiums from donors in recent months. One unit is located at Sutton Terrace (Bala Cynwd), and the other is at Penn Center House (Center City) –which will be sold, with the proceeds added to our endowment.
JCRC and Government Affairs
• JCRC recently hosted 85 educators and administrators for its K–12 Day of Learning, in partnership with Brandeis University, Boundless Israel, ADL Philadelphia, Gratz College, and the Weitzman Museum. Participants examined antisemitism in historical and contemporary contexts and explored strategies for creating inclusive school environments.
• On Monday, Nov. 17, JCRC and the Brandeis Law Society co-hosted a program on First Amendment implications in schools, focusing on hate speech, harassment, and Title VI protections, which brought out 60+ attendees.
• JCRC also partnered with Culture Changing Christians for a Town Hall as part of the New Golden Age Coalition, focused on rebuilding BlackJewish relations. Discussion topics included bigotry, security, violence prevention, and safeguarding SNAP benefits to combat food insecurity.
Security
• As antisemitism continues to rise, the Jewish Federation remains committed to securing Greater Philadelphia’s 190+ Jewish institutions, including schools, summer camps, congregations and social service agencies.
• Under Community Security Director Scott Kerns, a former FBI agent, the Jewish Federation has implemented strategic and measurable safety initiatives.
• In response to heightened threats following Oct. 7, the Jewish Federation hired Deputy Security Director Cortney Voorhees, a retired Pennsylvania State Trooper.
• Since her arrival, community security interactions have doubled, and the number of full security assessments has significantly increased.
• To date, the Jewish Federation has:
• Conducted 167 training sessions for more than 50 organizations, reaching 4,500 community members.
• Completed 119 security assessments at 190+ institutions, including 22 local camps.
• Secured new funding to provide armed guard coverage at day camps.
• Grant writers have helped 70 organizations secure more than $3.4 million in state and federal security funding, achieving a 66% success rate — well above the state average.
• The Jewish Federation implemented RUVNA, a community-wide safety platform now active in 22 Jewish schools, supporting 5,000+ students and 1,000 staff.
• The program will soon expand to religious schools and may include E911 panic button integration.
• The Jewish Federation continues to strengthen ties with local law enforcement, providing training, sharing intelligence, and enhancing visibility around Jewish institutions—reflecting our unwavering commitment to community safety.
Marketing/Events/PR
• The Marketing Department launched the FY26 grantee booklet, which showcases the Jewish Federation’s grantees for this coming year, supported through our main funds (the booklet includes grants made through the Jewish Community Fund, JFRE Fund, Women of Vision Fund, Weinberg Fund, and the Foundation for Jewish Day Schools). This information is also reflected on the website at jewishphilly.org/impact.
• In total, the Jewish Federation secured 21 pieces of coverage in October 2025, highlighting the Mitzvah Food Program’s work to support people in need amid the SNAP benefit freeze and Federation’s response to Oct. 7 and the ceasefire announcement. These articles included features in the Philadelphia Inquirer, WHYY, and KYW. Articles featuring the Jewish Federation were exposed to an estimated audience of 37.2 million people and received nearly 100,000 estimated views, furthering the Jewish Federation’s work to care for those in need and to serve as the voice for the local Jewish community. To see the full recap, click here.
• The Marketing Department has launched the new website for the Jewish Community Foundation.
• The Marketing Department is focused on growing reach and engagement through our various social media platforms. Our Instagram audience skews younger, with 54.8% between the ages of 25–44, while our audience on Facebook skews towards an older demographic of primarily women, with 48.2% between the ages of 35-65+. You can see our social media metrics from October by clicking here.
• The Marketing Department is preparing to launch a multi-channel end-of-the-year and Giving Tuesday campaign, which includes direct mail, digital and email marketing, social media, text, ads, and more.
Help Us Promote the Vital Mission of the Jewish Federation.
Check out the Board of Directors’ Marketing Toolkit for resources, messaging points and more.
Finance Snapshot
Operating Results FYTD ............................................................................... October 2025
Compared to Operating Forecast
Operating Surplus ............................................................................................ $268,109
Staffing Levels ................................................................................................... 83
Surplus (Deficit) from staffing levels $160,490
Surplus (Deficit) from Bond Interest Expense ....................................... $146,067
Surplus (Deficit) from All Other Areas ...................................................... $(38,448)
JCF Pledge Accounts Receivable as of October 20, 2025
FY 2024 Campaign $21,396 FY 2025 Campaign ........................................................................................... $3,081,791
Total ...................................................................................................... $3,103,187
Operating Cash Balance ................................................................................. $4,000,000 Provisional and subject to
Summary by Fiscal Year Campaign (BBEC Gift Year Specified by Donor)
Source: Financial Accounting System As
