News & Schmooze - Our Internal Team Newsletter

Balabanter

"This Passover may our leaders and all of us be granted the wisdom to safeguard the modern miracle of Israel and to use that compass to ensure Israel's survival and advancement as a thriving Jewish country."

Department Highlight
A Closer Look at
Jewish Community Relations Council

The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) is composed of civic-minded individuals and local Jewish agencies involved in advocacy and public affairs, who engage in issues that are important to the Jewish community. JCRC is committed to diversity, inclusion and equity. The JCRC takes an intersectional approach, uplifting the voices and rights of People of Color, LGBTQ+, disability, faith and interfaith communities.

Currently JCRC is planning and partnering on exciting upcoming events:

Jason Holtzman

Director of JCRC
Advocacy and Convening
Spokesperson for Israel and World Jewry

Robin Schatz

Director of Government Affairs
Advocacy and Engagement
Spokesperson for Domestic Issues

Julian Morein

JCRC Program Associate
Advocacy
Event and Program Planning

Take A Break

Do you know your Jewish Federation terminology when it comes to our grantees?

Click here to see how each term is meaningful to the Jewish Federation.

Get to Know Your Coworker

Jamaal Chambers, Facilities Manager

Two Truths and a Lie

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

1. Jamaal has driven across the entire United States. The only state he has not visited or passed through is New Mexico.

2. Jamaal always acts as if he can dance really well, however, he cannot dance at all.

3. Jamaal had perfect attendance from 1-12 grade. He was rewarded by having lunch with the then Mayor Ed Randell.

FedFacts

Join us on May 8 at 12:00 p.m. for a Lunch & Learn with the Standard, our 403b provider. They will share information about our plan and how you can ensure that you are making the most of this important retirement benefit. Lunch from Goldie will be provided afterwards at 1:00 p.m. You have received a calendar invite to join us for this session and lunch.
See last month’s Insider Report for our Board of Trustees and Board of Directors.

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Birthdays

Erica Miller 4.2

Joel Schwarz 4.2

Jason Holtzman 4.4

Kim Kokatay 4.5

Lee Rogers 4.5

Daniel Nash 4.7

Renee McCullough 4.9

Roger Pedro 4.15

Joey Cahn 4.20

Phillip Holtje 4.24

Max Moline 4.25

Jeffrey Lasday 4.30

Work Anniversaries

Bob Wagman 16 years on 4.1

Inna Isakovich 17 years on 4.5

Joel Schwarz 5 years on 4.10

Yanina Bril 11 years on 4.15

Jamaal Chambers 3 years on 4.19

Max Moline 6 years on 4.30

Staff Mazel

Mazel tov to Kim Cianciotti Hiller on 35 years at the Jewish Federation and to Melissa Gabillon's son Matthew on his recent Bar Mitzvah.

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

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

Grantee Spotlight

Lone Soldier Center in Memory of Michael Levin

Named in honor of local hero and fallen lone IDF soldier, Michael Levin (1984-2006), the center cares for IDF lone soldiers (those who do not have family in Israel to support them) with food, basic necessities, Shabbat meals and more. By giving soldiers both physical and emotional support, the organization helps each individual through their army service and their integration into Israeli society after the IDF.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia supports the center year-round through grants and partnership. Following the Oct. 7 massacre, the Jewish Federation provided additional funding through the Philly Stands with Israel Emergency Fund.

“The Lone Soldier Center is there to support us, we’ve gotten many packages from the Jewish community of Greater Philadelphia. Thank you.”

- Noah Zucker, Lone Soldier

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