News & Schmooze - Our Internal Team Newsletter

Balabanter

"This year has shown us the power of unity, compassion and determination. Let us carry these values with us as we continue to strengthen and uplift our community in the year ahead."

Department Highlight
A Closer Look at
Strategy and Impact

The Strategy and Impact department sets community priorities, vets potential grantee organizations, ensures grant funds are distributed appropriately, and evaluates efficacy and outcomes.

Jessica Ghosh

Project Manager
Manage grant application, compliance and reporting
Lead specialized team projects

Erica Miller

Senior Executive Assistant & Scholarship Coordinator
Manage/oversee camp and Israel travel scholarships administered through the Strategy and Impact department
Assist with the management of the Emergency Response Committee and Community Impact Committee (formerly PRC)

Take A Break

Play this month's Wordle using a term important to the Jewish Federation.

Check Out These Blogs

Get to Know Your Coworker

Lee Rogers, Administrative Assistant EITC

Two Truths and a Lie

Below are three statements about Lee.
Two are true, one is false.
Click on the statement you think is false.

1. Lee went scuba diving in Honduras.

2. Lee studied abroad in Cuba.

3. Lee went skydiving in Costa Rica.

FedFacts

See the Marketing Departments earned media coverage from November by clicking here.
See the Marketing Departments social media report for November by clicking here.
403B Reminder: As we begin 2025 you might want to think about enrolling in the 403b Retirement Plan. The annual maximum to contribute for 2025 is $23,500 or $31,000 for those age 50 or older. The Federation gives a dollar for dollar match up to 5%. You can locate the savings form, investing form and beneficiary form on FedNet on the HR page under General Information.

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Birthdays

Robert Grabel 12.6

Daria Barkai 12.8

Kelly Romirowsky 12.8

Robin Schatz 12.14

Mariana Cheverez 12.16

Andrea Cantor 12.20

Greta Wrigley 12.25

Jennifer Molish Brier 12.27

Shara Swift 12.30

Work Anniversaries

Robert Grabel 1 year on 12.11

Talia Lidar 16 years on 12.1

Rachelle Gizinski 18 years on 12.5

Jennifer Molish Brier 17 years on 12.11

Dan Nash 1 year on 12.12

Jeffrey Lasday 2 years on 12.20

Alaina Gillespie 3 years on 12.28

Staff Mazel

Do you have a mazel (good news) you want to share?

Submit your photo and a brief description to Marketing Coordinator Rachel Cohen at rcohen@jewishphilly.org.

Grantee Spotlight

Leket Israel

As Israel’s national food rescue organization, Leket has long been committed to fighting hunger and preventing food waste. With a mission to recover surplus food and deliver it to those who need it most, Leket has supported countless individuals and families facing food insecurity across the country.

Leket recovers surplus food and delivers it to those who need it most. In 2023, the organization served 270,000 Israelis at risk per week and an additional 60,000 recipients during the war.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia has been a longtime funder of Leket. In Fiscal Year 2024, the Jewish Federation awarded $572,850 to support Leket’s operations. To learn more, click here.

“Our partnership with the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is fundamental. Their support enables us to mobilize resources quickly, so we can extend our reach and sustain help for families facing unimaginable hardship.”

- Leket CEO Gidi Kroch