March is Women’s History Month. This month and every month, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is committed to uplifting the women in our communities and honoring their contributions locally, in Israel and elsewhere internationally.
March is Women’s History Month. This month and every month, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is committed to uplifting the women in our communities and honoring their contributions locally, in Israel and elsewhere internationally.
We Believe Women
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia upholds and affirms that we must believe women, not just during Women’s History Month, but all year round.
These words have heightened importance and continue to shed light on the war crimes that were committed against women and girls in Israel during the worst atrocity against the Jewish people since the Holocaust.
At the start of the month, we released a statement about the stain on Women’s History Month this year. Due to the inaction, denial and silence by human rights groups, the international community has failed to work towards justice for the survivors of Hamas’ gender-based violence on and since Oct. 7. While the UN and US House of Representatives have recently acknowledged this brutality, it is not enough.
You can help call for the immediate release of all 19 Israeli women who are still being held hostage in Gaza – and all hostages – by contacting your representative today.
“Unlike other funding organizations, the Jewish Federation helped us find a solution to our critical problem, and I never imagined that there would be such a personalized response to what we were dealing with.” - Gumat Chen Director Odelia Ben Porat
We are dedicated to empowering women and fostering their advancement through various programs and initiatives. Acknowledging the crucial role women play in our society and helping those in need not only enhances their lives, but also strengthens our overall community and our core Jewish values of compassion and equity.
We have provided funding and holistic support for organizations like Gumat Chen, a boarding school in Israel for at-risk girls who previously faced neglect, abuse or abandonment. Gumat Chen provides these girls a second chance to succeed in life. After Oct. 7, the Jewish Federation provided emergency funding for the girls to have meals in innovative food trucks that are therapeutic tools to promote regular eating and a sense of agency. Learn more here.
We are proud to be longtime supporters of organizations like the Female Hebrew Benevolent Society, which provides emergency grants to women in Greater Philadelphia to help them cover basic needs and achieve economic security. Read more here.
We Fight for Equity
“For 30 years, Women of Vision has been a testament to the power of philanthropy and how we collectively make a true difference in the lives of self-identifying women and girls.” - Women of Vision Chair Andi Barsky
Celebrating its 30th year, Women of Vision is an affinity and membership-based group of the Jewish Federation that impacts the lives of self-identifying Jewish women and girls across generations and geographic boundaries through strategic grantmaking through its endowment fund, advocacy and educational programs that will lead to social change and justice.
Over the past 30 years, Women of Vision has distributed over $1.6 million from its endowment fund to nonprofit organizations making an impact in Greater Philadelphia and Israel that are creating systemic change for a more equitable and respectful world.
After Oct. 7, our Women of Vision group was vocal in its condemnation of the international community’s lack of action to call out Hamas’ sexual violence. Along with 170 women’s organizations around the world, they signed two letters to the United Nations denouncing its negligent response to the Oct. 7 atrocities committed on Israeli women. They recently announced a special one-time grant of $30,000 to the Civil Commission on Oct. 7 Crimes by Hamas Against Women and Children.
“As I reflect on my role, I feel most proud of the meaningful opportunities we have provided for women to gather together in serving our community's most pressing needs locally as well as in Israel.” - Women’s Philanthropy Chair Tracy Gordon
Women's Philanthropy is an affinity group of the Jewish Federation that convenes women from all around the Greater Philadelphia region to connect, volunteer, travel, learn about issues facing Jewish communities locally and globally, and serve as ambassadors for Jewish Federation in synagogues, neighborhoods, and beyond.
Over 700 women in Greater Philadelphia are Lions of Judah, a special recognition for generous philanthropists giving $5,000 or more annually to the Jewish community. This critical support allows our Jewish Federation to care for those in need, combat antisemitism and global crisis, and strengthen Jewish identity.
This past September, Women’s Philanthropy honored the five incredible women who have served as Board Chairs of the Jewish Federation, highlighting their accomplishments and leadership journeys: Miriam (Mimi) Schneirov, Ande Adelman, Sherrie Savett, Susanna Lachs Adler and Gail Norry.
“I was so excited to be moderating a panel with these women who I admire so much. I couldn't wait to…be in a room with more women than I’m typically used to at real estate events.” - JFRE Executive Committee Vice Chair Jessica Morgan
The first step in increasing gender equity in our communities is to open up traditionally male-dominated spaces to people of all gender identities and be more conscious in our inclusion of underrepresented groups who are already there.
Recently, the Jewish Federation Real Estate (JFRE) group made an effort to move the needle by hosting a Prominent Women in Real Estate Development panel. On March 12, four industry experts, including JFRE’s Vice Chair Jessica Morgan, came together to discuss their recent development projects and their advice for other women in the industry.
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