In celebration of Israel's 75th anniversary, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia hosted A Taste of Israel Festival on Sunday, May 7, at the Saligman Campus. The festival, which coincided with Jewish American Heritage Month, featured five-time James Beard Foundation Award-Winning Chef Michael Solomonov and performances by a cappella group Six13. Over 2,000 people came out for the afternoon’s festivities, which included more than 40 Israeli and Jewish foods, including falafel, bourekas, shawarma, arayes, Moroccan cigars and more, and craft vendors.
More than 175 young leaders from North America, including five representatives from The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, recently met with Jewish communities across Eastern Europe as part of the Jewish Federations of North America's National Young Leadership Cabinet Study Mission in March. As part of their journey, Cabinet participants visited various partners of the Jewish Federation to feel the true impact of their philanthropic goals to help those in need and create vibrant Jewish communities around the world. Learn more here.
Security Remains a High Priority
The Jewish Federation remains committed to building more secure spaces for our Greater Philadelphia community, which includes 90 synagogues and more than 130 Jewish agencies, schools, summer camps, and social service agencies.
As we enter the third quarter of our partnership with the Secure Community Network (SCN), below are some highlights of what we accomplished thus far.
60 security assessments, consultations, exercises and drills
46 events and security walkthroughs
42 security briefings with community, law enforcement and organizations
20 training sessions performed, resulting in 582 community members being educated in security and emergency response
It has been almost one year since President and CEO Michael Balaban flew with the first 180 Ethiopian Jews to Israel as part of Operation Zur Israel. Today, 2,217 Ethiopian Jews have been reunited with their families and are acclimating to their new lives in one of 15 absorption centers as a part of The Jewish Federations of North America’s ongoing effort. Through our local community’s generosity, we successfully fundraised our goal of $200,000 to contribute to this $5 million initiative. Next month, the 783 remaining immigrants through this initiative are expected to arrive in Israel.
New Major Gifts Officer
"I look forward to inspiring philanthropists to invest in our Jewish community that is not only there for them, but will continue to be the driving force to ensuring a more secure and vibrant Jewish Philadelphia." - Sarah Lefkowitz, Major Gifts Officer
Mazel tov to Sarah Lefkowitz on her new position as Major Gifts Officer! In her previous role, Sarah worked with two of the Jewish Federation’s affinity groups, Women's Philanthropy and NextGen. During that time, she provided strong leadership in running the Women’s Leadership Development Program and collaborated to produce one of the most successful NextGen events at the Fitler Club, attracting over 100 future young leaders. In her new role, Sarah will continue to work with our generous supporters, oversee emergency campaigns, and focus on strategizing how to incorporate best practices on how to incorporate legacy and planned giving. Learn more here.
Today, the Jewish Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), in partnership with the City of Philadelphia, will raise the Israeli flag at City Hall Plaza for 24 hours. Featured guests include JCRC Director Jason Holtzman, Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, Philadelphia City Representative Sheila Hess, spokesperson for the Consulate General of Israel in New York Itay Milner, parents of the late IDF soldier and local fallen hero Michael Levin, Harriet and Mark Levin, and Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy students Jackie Long and Liana Matez.
DID YOU KNOW? May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The Jewish Federation is proud to support individuals living with mental health conditions and their loved ones, which you can learn more about byclicking here.
Thank you for your support
The work we do locally, in Israel and around the world is because of the support from friends like you.
