Do a Mitzvah with Your Community

Get ready to do some good this Sunday! There will be 25+ hands-on volunteer projects throughout the region as part of the Jewish Federation’s Israel 75 Community Mitzvah Day. While advance registration is closed, walk-ins are welcome. Check out the volunteer opportunities here: israel75.jewishphilly.org/mitzvah

Make sure to check out our other Israel 75 celebrations, including Shabbat Gatherings and A Taste of Israel Festival with Michael Solomonov and Six13, by visiting israel75.jewishphilly.org. 

Stand Up to Jewish Hate

"Hate comes in all forms and it is imperative that we – as a community – Jewish and non-Jewish – unite to abolish all forms of hate everywhere." - Michael Balaban, President & CEO 

The Jewish Federation has partnered with the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism on the #StandUpToJewishHate campaign. Designed to mobilize all Americans, especially non-Jews, this is a national initiative to combat current-day antisemitism. Community members can show their support by sharing the #■ across social media. 

Learn more about the campaign here. 

Jewish Federation's New CMO

"Sharing stories is my passion and I’m looking forward to utilizing my skills in understanding consumer behavior to connect what our donors are looking for and what programs will serve our community. I’m thrilled to join the organization and help continue to make marketing the strategic and creative hub for the Jewish Federation."
- Rebecca Etter, CMO

Welcome Our Community's New Jewish Connector

"I am particularly excited to begin engaging the younger generation of Greater Philadelphia Jewry who are not yet connected to any of the many events, activities and resources offered by the Jewish Federation."
- Noah Schoenberg, Community Engagement Specialist

We’re excited to welcome Noah Schoenberg, our new Community Engagement Specialist for the Lower Merion and Center City Kehillot as part of the Jewish Federation’s neighborhood initiative. Prior to joining the Jewish Federation in March, Noah held the position of Media Fellow and Film Festival Associate for Philadelphia Jewish Film and Media. You can meet Noah at the Center City Kehillah’s upcoming Shavuot: A Community Night of Jewish Learning on Thursday, May 25 - Friday, May 26 for an evening of learning, discourse and delicious dairy foods. 

Spotlighting Our Important Work

Two important Jewish Federation initiatives received widespread media attention this month:

• On Tuesday, April 4, volunteers from the Jewish Federation's Mitzvah Food Program (MFP) distributed Passover meals to families in need for the holiday. This effort was covered by CBS3, FOX29, 6ABC and the Philadelphia Inquirer.
  Learn more here.
  
  
• On Sunday, April 16, the Jewish Federation held a candle-light vigil with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Jewish Federation's President & CEO Michael Balaban, and Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Nelson J. Perez to commemorate the six million Jews who perished during the Holocaust on Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. This ceremony was covered by CBS3, 6ABC, NBC10, and FOX29. Learn more here. 

Save the Date! 

We look forward to celebrating Israel's 75th Anniversary by bringing the Greater Philadelphia community together for a myriad of festivities. As we approach this significant milestone, we hope that you'll save the date for these important events and also encourage your family, friends and colleagues to participate. 

Community Mitzvah Day: April 23, 2023

Shabbat Gatherings: April 28 - 29, 2023

Taste of Israel Festival: May 7, 2023

Israel 75 Mission: May 14 - 21, 2023

jewishphilly.org/Israel75 

In conjunction with our Israel 75 celebration, and in light of the current political situation, we would like to invite you to join us for an evening of prayer and community reflection for the State of Israel. Please join us via Zoom on May 4 at 8:00 p.m. for a discussion of the history of Israel, a dedicated poetry reading and song, as well as a space for prayers and personal reflection. The evening will be co-hosted by the Board of Rabbis of Greater Philadelphia. Register here.