Department Updates
Strategy and Impact
• Members of the Strategy and Impact team, including Daria Barkai and Kelly Romirowsky, visited Israel in September, where they toured the Jewish Federation’s partnership region and met with agency leaders of Jewish Community Fund (JCF), Jewish Federation Real Estate (JFRE), and Emergency Response Committee (ERC) grantees. They were privileged to attend a ceremony at the President’s House, where First Lady Michal Herzog recognized Director of Israel and Global Operations Tali Lidar and the work of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and partner Jewish Federations for their work supporting the widows and orphans of the war.
• FY26 is underway with most local grantees receiving their first payments in September.
• This fall marks the beginning of a new grant cycle for JCF with the application opening on Nov. 2 for funding in FY27. JCF will again focus primarily on general operating grants and will be open to any organization servicing the Jewish community of Philadelphia. The Israel office is currently working to identify the organizations that will be invited to apply for Israel funding.
• RFPs for the Jewish Federation Real Estate Fund, Women of Vision Fund, and the Bernard and Etta Weinberg Family Fund open Oct. 20 with the submissions window running until Nov. 20.
• You can learn more about the grants process for the Jewish Federation’s various funds by clicking here.
Community Leadership Development / Engagement
• The Kehillot established new metrics for success for staff, aimed at identifying larger numbers of highlevel prospects for leadership and philanthropy and using that lens to guide their time management.
• Co-chaired by Lauren Danneman and Jon Stevens, the Leadership Development Advisory Board had their opening meeting on Sept 4. Looking at the overview of the year ahead – which includes orientation sessions and skills-based workshops for Jewish Federation, agency and congregational lay leaders – the group plans to develop a plan for a cohort-based model for FY27.
• Meeting quarterly, a Leadership Pipeline Advisory Group is being formed to build and maintain a centralized hub for future leaders of the Jewish community of Greater Philadelphia. In order to learn more about current and potential leaders, a committee interest survey has been sent to all Jewish Federation committee members.
• The Volunteer Engagement Advisory Group will work in conjunction with the Leadership Pipeline Advisory Group to ensure that the Jewish Federation maintains communication with and engages the organization’s volunteers while reviewing best practices to share regarding communication before, during, and after programs.
Finance/IT/Operations/Real Estate/Donor
Services
and Data
Services
• IT and operations implemented Sage Intacct as the new accounting system and completed single signon integration with Okta.
• Upgraded headquarters internet access points and teleconference equipment, while decommissioning the off-site disaster recovery system in favor of cloud-based services.
• Operations is working to develop community-wide security initiatives, including a panic button program and piloting license plate readers for unauthorized vehicle identification.
• Completed the Sept. 1, 2025 property and casualty insurance renewal for 26 participating Jewish agencies and commenced the FY25 financial statement audit process.
• Donor Services successfully resolved all outstanding pledge balances prior to the FY25 annual campaign launch.
• SCN conducted a security demonstration of protective glass film for agencies and law enforcement at an outdoor firing range.
• Negotiated rental agreements for the Mandell campus auditorium/theater space.
Human Resources
• Human Resources is excited to share that it has received its 2025 Leading Edge engagement survey results with a score increase of +7 points from the Jewish Federation’s last survey in 2023, and +24 points from the survey in 2018. As an organization, the largest gains (+38 points) were surrounding how staff better understand how pay and raises are determined, and this is a direct result of the rollout of our Pay Transparency initiative. Staff also feel encouraged by intra-department collaboration (90% agree), but HR will continue to focus on interdepartmental collaboration in the coming year, as staff still share challenges about collaborating with other departments. More detailed information about the survey will be shared at an upcoming Board of Directors meeting.
• The Performance Evaluation process and goal setting for the 2025/2026 fiscal year is well underway. All performance review meetings will be conducted by Sept. 30.
• Human Resources welcomed an outside facilitator to lead the team in two days of in-person professional development sessions. Six (6) training sessions were offered:
• Communicating with Diplomacy: The Art & Science of Difficult Conversations (required for all staff)
• Leveraging DISC for a Better Workplace
• The Project Management Effect
• Feedback has been extremely positive, and staff has been very appreciative of the opportunity to learn and grow. We will continue to offer more in-person professional development opportunities throughout the coming year.
• Max Moline, who currently holds the role of director of Community Development, has been promoted to director of Jewish Community Foundation within the Planned Giving department. He began his new role on Monday, Sept. 22.
• Human Resources is also excited to share that its recruitment efforts have been very successful, and have hired five new employees:
• Zenobia Fried, Major Gift Officer (FRD)
• Gulienne Rollins, Education Manager (JCRC)
• Samantha Holzer, Community Engagement Manager (External Affairs)
• Faith Kenville, Senior Accountant (Finance), joins us on Sept. 29
• Aly Semigran, Donor Communications Manager (Marketing), joins us on Oct. 16
Supporting Jewish Education
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is committed to investing in immersive experiential programs to create profound connections to Judaism and provide access to quality education for all children.
1,200
Jewish day school and pre-school students received $14 million in scholarships through the EITC program in partnership with the Foundation for Jewish Day Schools for the 2025-2026 school year.
10
local Jewish schools supported for the 2025-2026 academic year through the Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign.
4,500
Israeli children from underserved communities received STEM education through Ofanim last year.
At Abrams, our goal is to let children be proud of who they are, to be proud of being Jewish. We want our students to get the best secular education and to be in an environment that’s safe. In order for us to have a strong Jewish future, we need to teach our children what it’s all about.”
– Rabbi Ira Budow, Director of Abrams Hebrew Academy
A grantee of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
About the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
How the Jewish Federation Supports Education
GENERAL FUNDING
Through the community’s generosity, the Jewish Federation annually invests in Jewish day schools throughout the region. These schools use the funding for operational and pressing needs to provide quality education to the next generation.
EITC PROGRAM
Through Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program, individuals and businesses can receive a 90% state tax credit by contributing to approved scholarship organizations. These contributions provide critical tuition assistance to low- and moderate-income families, ensuring more children have access to a strong, values-driven Jewish education.
SECURITY
The Jewish Federation’s partnership with Secure Community Network (SCN) provides free security training, walkthroughs and assessments, and grant writing support to Greater Philadelphia’s Jewish organizations, including Jewish day schools.
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. You can support the work of the Jewish Federation: jewishphilly.org/donate
jewishphilly.org/donate
FRD/Affinity/Endowment
• NextGen’s new Chair Arielle Lechner began her term Sept. 1 with a restructured board that will focus on campaign, leadership and outreach. In the coming weeks, nomination forms for this year’s Pathway Fellowship Program will open, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia will continue getting the word out about NextGen’s Signature Event with Jonah Platt, happening the evening of Nov. 20.
• Women of Vision’s new Chair Cindy Warkow began her term on Sept 1. Warkow’s Chair installation will take place at the Women of Vision Fall Member Gathering on Oct. 21. Over the summer, Women of Vision hired a consultant to lead the group in a strategic planning process that will take place throughout this fiscal year.
• The Sharon and Joseph Kestenbaum Legacy Philanthropy Program is excited to be launching its 5th cohort this coming March. As part of the program, participants will go on an international trip to not only bond with one another, but also to connect with that city’s Jewish community. This year, the participants will be visiting Montreal as part of the retreat and have the opportunity to meet with and learn from members of the Montreal Jewish community. If you know of any prospective participants for the Legacy Philanthropy Program, please let Jewish Federation staff know.
• In addition, alumni programming and engagement has grown. On Nov. 6 and Nov. 7, FRD will be debuting its Family Philanthropy Institute, a twopart program that will bring the community’s most generous families, from across generations, together to celebrate Jewish philanthropy. On the evening of Nov. 6, Jewish Federations of North America’s Immediate Past Chair Julie Platt will be featured for an intimate conversation on Jewish values, philanthropy and the power of l’dor v’dor at the home of Sharon and Joseph Kestenbaum. And on the morning of Nov. 7, families are invited to join an interactive workshop, facilitated by Amy Holdsman (a nationally recognized philanthropic advisor) on values, giving and creating meaningful impact. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from and with our community’s most impactful givers – learn more by clicking here.
• Over the summer, Women’s Philanthropy hosted a series of gatherings, designed to deepen connections. Hosted in private homes, each session featured a dynamic speaker who explored the values and challenges we share as Jewish women.
• Women’s Philanthropy honored its Ruby Lions at a luncheon on Sept. 30 at Estia in Radnor. Co-chaired by Ellen Goldberg and Amy Wittenstein, over 50 Ruby Lions attended.
• Learn with Lions is on Oct. 24 at a private home in Bryn Mawr. Women’s Philanthropy will be adding a special moment to recognize the new Lions of 2025.
• Women’s Philanthropy is partnering with Our Closet in Your Neighborhood to collect winter coats and accessories throughout October at drop-off locations across Greater Philadelphia. In November, volunteers will help at Coat Day, when community members in need can select warm winter items.
• The Jewish Community Foundation is thrilled to announce the promotion of Max Moline to director of the Jewish Community Foundation. Moline is currently serving as the director of Community Engagement and prior to that worked in fundraising for several years, including as the director of NextGen. Moline’s first day with the Foundation was Sept. 22.
• On Sept. 4, over 150 estate and financial planners attended the 30th Annual Solomon and Sylvia Bronstein Seminar for Professionals. Amy Ufberg, Esq., chair of the Foundation’s Professional Advisors Network, received the Edward N. Polisher Award for being an outstanding estate planner offering distinguished service to the Foundation.
• On Sept. 9, over 70 real estate professionals attended JFRE at 17 Market West to hear from Alterra Property Group about this conversion from an office building into a multifamily housing apartment building.
• On Sept. 11, JFRE hosted a Grants Information Session for partner agencies and local synagogues to learn more about the grant funding cycle for FY27, which will focus on security infrastructure projects.
JCRC and Government Affairs
• JCRC and Government Affairs is actively recruiting K-12 educators and administrators for the Day of Learning on Oct. 23. The program is co-hosted with Gratz, Weitzman Museum, ADL, Brandeis, and Boundless Israel, with confirmed participation from multiple districts and independent schools.
• The department is looking forward to January’s Legislators’ Mission to Israel, with confirmed participation from both the State House and Senate, co-sponsored by the Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, and Lehigh Valley Federations.
• Received confirmation from Swarthmore College that they are no longer recognizing the campus SJP chapter.
• Launching a new clergy cohort with Pastor Todd Stavrakos’ Pathways initiative, with rabbis and pastors meeting monthly beginning Sept. 18 for dialogue on identity and religious traditions.
• Hosting an Exodus Dinner in partnership with Van Jones on Oct. 16 at the Fitler Club. The dinner will focus on reestablishing the civil rights-era partnership between the Jewish and African American communities and will prominently feature the work of the New Golden Age coalition.
Marketing/Events/PR
• The Board of Directors and Board of Ambassadors received a marketing toolkit, designed to help leaders understand the various work of the Jewish Federation and to assist them in promoting the organization’s mission out to the community at-large through social media platforms, email, text, and more.
• The webpages featuring grantees have been updated for FY26. You can view the grants for the following fund webpages: Jewish Community Fund, Jewish Federation Real Estate Fund, Women of Vision Fund, and the Bernard and Etta Weinberg Family Fund.
• The Marketing Department launched a multiprong communications campaign for the fall and High Holiday season. This included solicitation as well as stewardship and High Holiday messaging pieces through various channels: direct mail, text, social media and email.
• The Jewish Federation published the 2025 High Holiday Guide, which showcases services and programs being offered at congregations and institutions throughout the region. In all, 68 congregations and agencies submitted to be part of the High Holiday Guide. Out of the total, 44 congregations and institutions (64.7%) requested to receive Jewish Federation materials to disseminate to their congregants/community members during the High Holidays. In turn, these 44 organizations were provided with a total of 3,775 High Holiday Booklets that will be distributed and used to raise awareness about the Jewish Federation.
• In total, the Jewish Federation secured 23 pieces of coverage in August, focusing on the Jewish Federation’s response to the vandalism at the Weitzman Museum and the continued work to hold the School District of Philadelphia accountable for not addressing antisemitism in the District. These articles included features in the Philadelphia Inquirer, CBS3, and the Philadelphia Citizen. Articles featuring the Jewish Federation were exposed to an estimated audience of 71.2 million people and received over 265,000 estimated views, further positioning the Jewish Federation as a convener and voice for the local Jewish community. Click here to see the full earned media coverage from August.
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
• The marketing team is focused on growing reach and engagement through the organization’s various social media platforms. You can see social media metrics from August by clicking here.
• Around 700 people attended the Main Event, featuring Dan Senor, on Sept. 16 at the Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue.
Finance Snapshot
Operating Results FYTD ............................................................................... July 2025
Compared to Operating Forecast
Operating Surplus ............................................................................................ $(133,129)
Staffing Levels ................................................................................................... 84
Surplus (Deficit) from staffing levels
$99,608
Surplus (Deficit) from Bond Interest Expense ....................................... $1,878
Surplus (Deficit) from All Other Areas ...................................................... $(234,615)
JCF Pledge Accounts Receivable as of September 15, 2025
FY 2024 Campaign
$24,170
FY 2025 Campaign ........................................................................................... $2,815,956
Total ...................................................................................................... $2,840,126
Operating Cash Balance ................................................................................. $3,000,000
Provisional and subject to final audit adjustments
Summary by Fiscal Year Campaign (BBEC Gift Year Specified by Donor) Source: Financial Accounting System As
&
CY2024
