Israel 75 Mission Co-Chairs Jessica & Josh Katz and Susan Schwartz invite you to join the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia on an exhilarating and meaningful eight-day mission to our Jewish homeland in May 2023. Personalize your journey by selecting a customized track that speaks to your passions, interests, and how you want to hear, feel, see, smell, and taste Israel. Whether this will be your tenth time visiting Israel or this is your first journey, this trip will provide travelers with a unique, one-of-a-kind experience tailored to each individual. We are excited to have just confirmed that Rabbi Eric Yanoff of Temple Adath Israel will join us, providing spiritual insight throughout our journey. Registration opens today.

To learn more, attend a virtual info session on March 22 at 7:00 p.m. or April 6 at 12:00 p.m.

The Jewish Federation is proud to continually strive toward a more accepting, diverse and inclusive future, including participating in Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month (JDAIM). Click here to read more about the in-person and virtual ways to get involved, including these national and local programs happening this February:  

• The Changing Landscape: Work and Inclusivity for Persons with Disabilities (February 28), sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council and JEVS Human Services. Hear from employers, advocates, service providers and clients about how the pandemic impacted employment for people with disabilities and what new opportunities have emerged for those seeking employment. Click here to register. 
• JLV has both in-person and virtual options available throughout the month, through their Whole Community Inclusion Initiative and the Jewish Special Needs/Disability Awareness Consortium of Greater Philadelphia, which includes the Jewish Federation. Click here for the full listing of programs.
• JFNA’s Jewish Disability Advocacy Day (February 23 - 24) brings together diverse communities across North America to harness their collective power and break down barriers to opportunity and inclusion. Help advance policies that can empower millions of individuals with disabilities to lead more independent and fulfilling lives. Click here to learn more.

Mazel tov to Galia Godel, Program Manager at the Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia (JFCS) for winning JPro’s Young Professional Award for the JFCS LGBTQ Initiative. The JPro Young Professional Award recognizes extraordinary young talents, nominated by their colleagues, who are committed to the future vibrancy and vitality of the Jewish community. JFCS’ LGBTQ Initiative and social services are provided in an environment where Judaism, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression can intersect to be embraced, affirmed and celebrated. In addition to the LGBTQ Initiative, Galia leads the J.Proud Initiative, a consortium of 40 Jewish schools, synagogues and institutions committed to supporting LGBTQ-inclusive programs and resources, and leading city-wide holiday observations for the LGBTQ Jewish community. Galia was nominated for developing relationships beyond the department, and making an impact beyond the organization. The Jewish Federation is proud to support JFCS and its inclusivity efforts. 

In an ongoing effort to secure the safety of our community, Jewish Federation's Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), in partnership with the Jewish Federations of Greater Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Lehigh Valley, ADL, Secure Community Network and the Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition, are hosting a statewide virtual forum on rising extremism and hate on February 22. Sessions will include securing religious institutions, legislative advocacy and action, talking to children about acts of bias and violence, and more. Click here to see the full schedule and register.

Our Mitzvah Food Program will be part of The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) initiative to benchmark anti-poverty programs related to food security in Jewish communities across North America. JFNA has selected the Social Impact Genome to collect and analyze data from 10 programs funded or operated by various Federations. Each program will receive a snapshot of the benefits and weaknesses relative to the comparative programs. After the initial analysis is complete, participating Federations will work together to develop desired outcomes and results for similar programs, and share best practices within the North American network of Federations.