The Jewish Federation is dedicated to preserving the memory of those who perished in the Holocaust, helping those who survived to age with dignity and educating the next generation to prevent history from repeating itself.
We will soon say the familiar words, “Let my people go.” They take on an enhanced meaning this Passover as we strive for the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza and pray for the healing of all of those impacted on and since Oct. 7 – the worst massacre of the Jewish people since the Holocaust.
With Yom HaShoah on May 6, you can find ways to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day and preserve the memory of all of those before us who were persecuted for simply being Jewish by clicking here.
Ensuring We Remember
The Jewish Federation is dedicated to preserving the memory of those who perished in the Holocaust, helping Survivors to age with dignity and educating the next generation to prevent history from repeating itself.
We uphold this commitment in the following ways:
partner with Holocaust remembrance organizations locally, in Israel and elsewhere around the world to commemorate those we lost in the Holocaust and to honor Survivors and their families
fund organizations and initiatives to ensure that Survivors have the resources, support and necessities to have fulfilled lives
host educational programs to teach about the promulgation of hatred
advocate on the grassroots, state and federal level to combat antisemitism and Holocaust denial
“The Holocaust Remembrance Day Ceremony gives me the opportunity to honor and remember the Holocaust Survivors I worked with during my teaching career. I promised to always tell their stories and to remember the family members they lost.”
- Lise Marlowe, member of JCRC's Holocaust Education and Remembrance Committee
For six decades, Greater Philadelphia has shown up to say Never Again at our Holocaust Remembrance Day Ceremony to observe Yom HaShoah. On May 5, we are continuing this vital tradition to ensure that we Never Forget the six million Jews who perished in the Shoah and that we continue to honor the survivors living in our communities. The ceremony will include candle lighting, music and prayers.
With so much unrest in the world, bringing our community together for this annual memorial is more important than ever.
Thank you to our Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) and their Holocaust Education and Remembrance Committee that has been working for decades to oversee this program’s success.
“The Jewish Federation is ensuring that Holocaust Survivors don't need anything, whether it’s a new roof on their home, or a complete and healthy meal.” - Brian Gralnick, director of local grants and partnerships
Holocaust Survivors should live the rest of their lives with ease. The Jewish Federation funds several organizations that combat issues Survivors and older adults face, such as food insecurity and accessibility limitations. In addition to supporting these efforts year-round, the Jewish Federation also granted emergency funding to many of these Israeli organizations after Oct. 7, since Israel is home to the highest population of Survivors, many of whom have been and continue to be affected by the ongoing war.
The Jewish Federation and Jewish Family and Children's Service (JFCS) are partnering to raise $300,000 to support local Holocaust Survivors through KAVOD SHEF, which provides basic necessities and emergency support, including funding for medical needs, utilities, home repairs and rent assistance. All funds raised will be matched 100% by KAVOD SHEF.
In addition, we have our own in-house efforts to support Survivors. Our Mitzvah Food Program provides kosher food all year round and during major Jewish holidays to all who are hungry, regardless of race, religion or financial background. This past year, MFP provided 875,171 pounds of food to 6,120 clients in 2,591 households, which included 119 Holocaust Survivors.
Our grantee organization Latet Israeli Humanitarian Aid provides Holocaust Survivors with the necessary resources – such as food, home repairs and social services – to age with dignity. Through their Aid for Life program, to which the Jewish Federation granted $50,000 last year, 1,500 Holocaust Survivors in Israel received bi-monthly food boxes and hygiene products, and 480 critical home repairs were completed to reduce mobility limitations for these Survivors.
June 4 marks National Holocaust Survivor Day, a day to celebrate the lives of Survivors and all they have accomplished.
Despite the horrors they experienced and the harrowing things they saw, these Survivors exemplify resilience, courageously living life with the Jewish value of joy.
Last June, the Jewish Federation worked to receive proclamations from both Governor Shaprio and Former Mayor Kenney, recognizing Holocaust Survivor Day as both an official City of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania holiday. This is the third annual program celebrating local Survivors and their descendants.
“As the Jewish Community Relations Council, we must combat antisemitism and the spread of anti-Israel misinformation. Doing so protects our community and upholds the values of truth, justice, and peaceful coexistence, creating a world where all can live free from hatred.” - Jason Holtzman, JCRC director
A crucial part of the Jewish Federation’s mission is to combat antisemitism to ensure that an atrocity like the Holocaust does not happen again. Since Oct. 7, we have seen an unprecedented rise in antisemitism in the United States, and have witnessed a number of these hateful incidents in Greater Philadelphia.
With our partners at Secure Community Network (SCN), the official safety and security organization of the Jewish community in North America, we are protecting our community members and Jewish institutions.
Last year, we:
Led 152 security assessments, walkthroughs and briefings.
Trained over 1,000 community members.
Secured $1.38 million in state and federal funds awarded to 15 Jewish institutions through grant writing support.
Our JCRC team has been advocating for greater support for Israel and increased efforts to combat antisemitism on a national level. In January, members of our JCRC joined over 400 Jewish Federation activists as part of the Jewish Federations of North America’s Advocacy Fly-In Mission to D.C. Among other action items, the activists urged their congressmen and senators to advance the Antisemitism Awareness Act, which would require the Department of Education to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism.
Additionally, on May 21-23, our JCRC team will be joining with Culture Changing Christians in D.C. for a trip focused on education and advocacy as part of their New Golden Age partnership to strengthen Black and Jewish relations.
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