JFRE Impact Report 2024

Jewish Federation Real Estate Group

What is the Jewish Federation Real Estate Group (JFRE)?

JFRE brings real estate professionals together to learn, network, hear from the brightest minds in the business and make our community a better place.

JFRE members deepen and expand their network at unique professional gatherings and social events, find out about new venues and development projects, and learn about meaningful opportunities to donate, invest in our community, and volunteer.

Our Impact Through the JFRE Fund, JFRE members make an impact on the lives of millions. Each year, the fund invests hundreds of thousands of dollars to support critical projects in Greater Philadelphia, Israel and overseas. In fiscal year 2022, capital projects as well as programs that ensure the safety, security and resiliency of our agencies were a priority.

JFRE Fund Grants In FY ‘22, more than $600,000 was allocated to 19 programs locally, in Israel and Ethiopia.

The JFRE Fund significantly contributes toward tangible and enduring capital needs aligned with the Jewish Federation and community priorities. Grants are awarded to projects in the Greater Philadelphia area, including Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties as well as in Israel and overseas.

Fundraising Goal Raise $1.5 million in fiscal year 2024

Camps Thousands of young people each year enjoy enriching summers at Jewish overnight camps in Greater Philadelphia. Due to many camps being located in a remote area in the Poconos, strict security measures are critical for camp safety. An investment by the JFRE Fund enables each camp grantee to upgrade security measures, ensuring a higher level of safety for campers and staff.

Grantees included: Camp Harlam Poconos Camp Ramah Poconos

Synagogues Synagogues are a home for community members to gather for spiritual practice – from High Holidays to Shabbat services to religious school to youth programming. Through JFRE Fund support, synagogues are equipped with the support they need to better protect congregants as they pray, teach and learn.

Grantees included: Beth Sholom Congregation Elkins Park Beth Tikvah B’nai Jeshurun Northwestern suburbs of Philadelphia Congregation Beth Israel Delaware County

Jewish Education By supporting young learners, their educators, and continuing education opportunities, JFRE invests in future generations enabling today’s youth to grow into proud, confident and caring Jewish adults.

JFRE contributes to the values-based education provided by Jewish Day Schools and after school enrichment programs through grants for security enhancements and school redesigns in support of a student-centric, collaborative and hands-on learning environment.

Grantees included: Perelman Jewish Day School Wynnewood and Melrose Park Temple Hillel Temple University Makom Community Center City, South Philadelphia and Delaware County

Aging with Dignity Our community should be supported through every life stage.

JFRE supports low to moderate income seniors and adults with financial and health needs by distributing grants for upgrades that will provide safety, comfort and the ability to safely and sustainably live in their own homes with supportive services and interventions.

Grantees included: Federation Housing, Inc - Annabel Gardens Willow Grove JEVS Tikvah Residence Drexel Hill Jewish Family and Children’s Service (JFCS) Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) Northeast Philadelphia

“We have a Resident of The Tikvah House who has been struggling with Parkinson’s over the last year. He has had to endure a number of Hospital/ Rehab stays and was having a difficult time getting the needed supports in place for home care that would allow him to safely stay in his apartment. Our Staff has spent many hours helping him to apply for the right amount of help and advocate for his needs with Social/Case Workers. Over the last year he has been able to get connected with the Home Health Care and Outside Supports he needs. He has been stable and has not needed to go back to The Hospital for some time and feels more confident in his ability to live in his apartment and continue to be a part of our Community.”

– Anonymous

Saul and Nina are siblings ages 91 and 89. They have been residing in their home in the NORC geography for over 30 years. Nina moved in when Saul’s wife died so they could mutually take care of each other. They take a great deal of pride and enjoy living in their home in northeast Philadelphia. They pool their financial resources to sustain living independently and safely.

They benefit from the array of NORC services as the care manager ensures that they are both receiving any and all public benefits and entitlements. They have participated and benefited from NORC service days where the exterior of their property was cleaned up and they received a winterization and COVID protection survival kit. They recently had the NORC home repair specialist connect them and manage an outside contractor to assist them with an exterior leak repair which caused damage on the interior of the house. The NORC was able to assist them financially with the cost of the repairs. They are very appreciative of what the NORC program provides and how it supports them to remain independent and safe in their own home.

“We are very appreciative that we are able to remain independent and safe in our own home.”

Care for Jewish Communities Around the World JFRE Cares: Investment in Clinic Ensures Medical Attention for Ethiopians Operation Zur Israel recently brought 3,000 Ethiopian Jews to Israel, reuniting them with family members and giving them a chance to make a life where they can practice Judaism without fear of being persecuted for their beliefs.

But for the remaining 12,000 Ethiopian Jews, famine, unsanitary conditions, lack of clean water and increasing disease is an inescapable reality.

Through a grant from the JFRE Fund, along with personal donations from JFRE Executive Committee members, $160,000 was raised to build a medical clinic in Gondar, expanding access to medical care to more children, pregnant women and others awaiting aliyah to Israel.

With this grant and in partnership with Struggle to Save Ethiopian Jewry (SSEJ), Ethiopian Jews awaiting aliyah to Israel will receive life-saving humanitarian assistance.

Grantees included:

Israel JFRE’s philanthropic values include an ongoing commitment and investment in the Jewish State. The Israel initiatives are designed to support capital and security projects that ensure Israel’s safety, security, prosperity and existence as a homeland for all Jews.

Eden Association Shelters for At-Risk Teen Girls Provides holistic and life-saving support to teenage girls who have faced unimaginable trauma.

ELI: Israel Association for Child Protection Meets the increasing cases of abuse while addressing violence in families.

Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) Provides infrastructure/training investments to at-risk Jewish institutions and communities around the world (excluding the US and Canada) in order to improve long- term physical security.

Nirim Farm A therapeutic farm that supports youth who are in deep crisis and is a last stop before they enter the juvenile justice system.

Orr Shalom Cares for children and youth at-risk who have been removed from their parents’ custody by welfare authorities.

Thank you for helping us care for, inspire and connect with our Jewish communities each and every day. Community is the Jewish way of life. It’s key to building strength, resilience and joy. As the hub of our region’s Jewish communities, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s JFRE group works tirelessly to uplift our community and secure a vibrant Jewish future for all of us.

For more information or to donate, contact Alan Lepore, JFRE Program Manager: alepore@jewishphilly.org or 215.832.0532

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