School’soutfor
This is it! The last stop on the
Our Annual Gala drew hundreds! On the Road to Friendship
Listen to words of wisdom from alum, Jesse, and his mom, Freda.
“I want Friendship Circle around for children.”
Scanthe QRcodeto hearhis INCREDIBLE speech!
Dear Friends, OFFRIENDSHIP
JOURNEY
this programming year…
Friends from every facet of our community joined us “ on the road” where they connected over shared Philly Friendship Circle experiences, especially that fundamental sense of belonging (to a loving community) on which we pride ourselves!
And now, we are grateful to share it with all of you
In Friendship, Chani & Zev Baram
Co-Founders
Friends@Home with Eli & Ilana
“My friend Eli's family follows more Jewish traditions than mine, which has been eye-opening. The books we read often have Hebrew. While Eli uses pictures to understand, I use similar strategies since I can't read Hebrew. This shared effort helps us to connect–because we are both working to understand what we ’ re reading ”
RikkiTeicherisastarSundayCircler!
We are clicking “save” on these Sunday faves! Sunday Circle Highlight Reel
Heartwarming Family Feedback: “Thank you so much for coordinating my kids to be at Sunday Circle yesterday! They had an absolute blast and came back with huge smiles! They were so calm and content, and I could tell that they really enjoyed themselves ”
Afriendwhoisupforanythingandcanmakeanyonefeel comfortableinherpresence Anartistherself,andateenw isveryengagedinourArtStudioatSundayCircle,Rikkisa
"Creatingnewartcanbetoughasanartist. ButthepeopleImeetatSundayCirclealwaysgive mefreshideasandsharetheirskills.Ourtimetogether notonlystrengthensourfriendshipsbutalsohelps usbemorecreativewithoutevenrealizingit."
We stepped up our Sunday Cir game this year, partnering with to provide unique Sunday Circle offerings 5 local businesses
Our Alumni events are thriving!
FirstEver!
Annual Thanksgiving Weekend Brunch 18 alumni joined us for bagels, shmear, and heartwarming connections Friends of every age, stage of life, and all abilities share common values and warm memories from their time with Philly Friendship Circle!
Networking Shabbat Dinner
Alumni came together to celebrate Shabbat together at the home of a fellow alum, filled with home-cooked delights, laughter, and meaningful conversations.
We stepped up our parent programs!
Sunday Circle Parent Room events:
Panel on Intentional Summer Planning
Financial Talk for the Future by Bruce Sham JFCS Horticultural Therapy
Mentor Parent Speakers: “What We Wish We Knew Back Then”
“It was amazing, really; so organized and so much fun. Everyone was so welcoming. I enjoyed the speaker yesterday, and booked a meeting with him to get my ducks in a row about special care financial planning!” - Alba, Philly Friendship Circle mom
FIRST EVER 18 MOMS
including 5 first-timers attended our MOMS’ DINNER
OUT!
We sent a Mom Care Package to one mom who couldn’t attend one of our events at the last minute. She said:
I can’t believe that, as things are in the world right now, there are still people like you at Philly Friendship who care about others. You made my day–not because of the gifts, but because of the surprise: that someone is thinking of us.
Tween Power!
Get involved with us as early as you can through MVP!
“While traveling, we were commenting left and right about how so much of what we saw was not ADA accessible!”MVP Parent
That’s the power of this program: making MVPers (and parents!) more aware of and encouraging them to step up to improve both in the world
MVP (Mitzvah Volunteer Program) is our inclusive access point for tweens and teens (6th & 7th Graders – ages 12-14). Be in touch to sign up for one of our sessions through the upcoming school year accessibility and inclusion
