Welcome to FedFive, a Jewish Federation communication to keep you updated on our impact, accomplishments, and newsworthy items that your support makes possible. Thank you for being a committed leader in our Jewish community who continuously invests in our efforts to Carry the Light. Together, we make our communities, and the world, a better place.

This year, our Annual High Holiday Food Drive offers two simple ways for you to help nourish families in need in our community:

• Purchase ShopRite, ACME and Giant gift cards for Mitzvah Food Program clients to use at their local stores
• Purchase food directly through the Mitzvah Food Program Amazon Wish List.

Click here for more information about how to participate.

Mazel tov to our very own Diller Teen Fellowship graduate, Naomi Isaac-Hyman, for being accepted into the prestigious 2021-2022 Bronfman Fellowship program. Naomi, who is currently participating in the program, credits the Diller program for preparing her for the highly selective and regarded fellowship.

"Thanks to the Diller Teen Fellowship, I’ve made new friends, learned more about my faith and explored Judaism from all different perspectives. And in spite of COVID, I’m more involved in Jewish groups and initiatives than ever before. My relationship with my roots runs deeper than ever."

-Naomi Isaac-Hyman

Three members of our community have named the Jewish Federation in their wills, helping create a thriving Jewish community long into the future.

Rona Schnall, Saul Feierman, and Bernard Edelstein, who have recently passed away, have invested in the vitality of our Jewish community by leaving planned gifts to permanently fund critical initiatives through the Jewish Federation. May their memories be for a blessing.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to create your Jewish legacy, contact Jennifer Brier, Director of Planned Giving and Endowments at jbrier@jewishphilly.org or 215.832.0528.

The Polisher Award is presented to an estate planning professional in recognition of distinguished service to Jewish Federation Endowment Programs. Bob has long been involved with our Endowment strategy, and helped develop the Key Donor Life Insurance Program - an advantageous way for community members to make a planned gift with financial support from the Jewish Federation. Bob is President of Charlap & Miller, Inc., a 4th-generation life insurance consulting firm. He and his wife, Faye, are members of the Jewish Federation’s Legacy Society. 

Click here to register for the Bronstein Seminar on September 10th, a continuing education program for attorneys, CPAs and insurance professionals – and help us congratulate Bob as he receives the Polisher Award. 

"Bob has invested many years strengthening our Jewish community through his leadership on various boards and committees. He is recognized as a dedicated and
highly-respected professional by his clients, peers and the entire insurance and estate planning industry. Bob’s keen acumen and professional experience has been integral in initiatives to grow the Jewish Federation Endowment Programs, and he is an outstanding choice to receive the prestigious Edward N. Polisher award."

-Ron Perilstein, The Arjay Group, Inc.

Over the last two years, more than 50 Philadelphia-area young adults aged 20 - 24 have participated in JFNA’s Changemakers, a program bringing together thousands of young leaders who are passionate about making the world a better place, exploring their Jewish and other identities in a fast-morphing social landscape, and forging deep connections with their peers. From just three weeks of sessions, they felt empowered, inspired and motivated, with knowledge and tools to make a difference. We look forward to seeing the impact these young leaders will have within our community.

“Changemakers allowed me to dive deeper into my Jewish identity and engage in discussions surrounding the ways in which Jewish frameworks equip each of us to meet the challenges of the current moment.”
-Elise Hocking, Changemakers participant