News & Schmooze - Our Internal Team Newsletter

Balabanter

"When we take care of our mental health, we're benefiting ourselves and we're creating a stronger, brighter and a more resilient future for our community."

Department Highlight
A Closer Look at
Finance

The Jewish Federation's Finance Department is responsible for managing all financial processes and budgeting decisions for internal and external affairs.

They maintain an accurate history of the company’s financial records, prepare financial reports and plans the orgnaization's forecasted budget.

Helen Rao

Director of Treasury
Oversee Insurance Procedures
Enforce Financial Policies

Dan Levine

Senior Director of Finance
Maintaining Financial Records
Ensures Overall Compliance

This is not the full department — just a snapshot! Stay tuned as we rotate and come back through departments with other iterations of the newsletter to see the faces around the office.

Take A Break

Do you know your Jewish Federation's monthly themes?

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

Get to Know Your Coworker

Carmen Adames, Executive Assistant to the President and CEO

Two Truths and a Lie

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

1. Carmen enjoys adventures when on vacation, such as riding ATVs and Jet Skis.

2. Carmen reigned as back-to-back champion in a Fantasy Football League!

3. Carmen is one of two siblings, not including her bonus brothers and sisters.

FedFacts

There's still time to join the Jewish Federation team for the Bike Month Challenge this May! Did you know that riding a bike can help to protect you from serious diseases such as stroke, heart attack, some cancers, depression, diabetes, obesity and arthritis? Join the bike challenge by registering at lovetoride.net (it’s super quick). Participation is for fun and strictly voluntary. If you have any questions, please reach out to Andi Cantor and Robb Quattro, your Bike Month Challenge team captains!
Our next all staff meeting will be Wednesday, June 5 at 10:00 a.m. Breakfast will be provided before the meeting at 9:00 a.m.
Join our team outing at Puttshack on Wednesday, July 10 from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Enjoy food, drinks, mini golf and lots of fun! Don't forget to RSVP if you have not already accepted the calendar invite.
See last month’s Insider Report for our Board of Trustees and Board of Directors.
See six ways you can commemorate Jewish American Heritage Month this May.

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Birthdays

Helen Rao 5.7

Doreen Bason 5.10

Lindsay Davidman 5.10

Noah Schoenberg 5.13

Melissa Gabillon 5.17

Sarah Lefkowitz 5.19

Tracey Rich 5.21

Bob Wagman 5.31

Work Anniversaries

Lindsay Davidman 6 years on 5.2

Roger Pedro 22 years on 5.6

Erica N. Miller 2 years on 5.9

Patricia Quarles 17 years on 5.14

Rita Khayt 19 years on 5.16

Danielle Cohen 3 years on 5.24

Sarah Solomon 14 years on 5.24

Gayane Miskaryan 15 years on 5.27

Staff Mazel

Congratulations to Mark Berman's daughter Anna for winning third prize in C-SPAN's national StudentCam competition for her documentary, "Fast Fashion - A Race to the Bottom."

And Mazel Tov to Dani and Brendan, who were married in late December 2023 and celebrated on April 28 with close family and friends.

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

Moving Traditions

The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia upholds its pledge to secure a vibrant Jewish future by partnering with and funding organizations that provide opportunities for the local community to connect with each other and to their heritage. Right now, Jewish teens are facing additional pressures with heightened antisemitism following the Oct. 7 massacre in Israel.

This is why the Jewish Federation is proud to support Moving Traditions which provides a safe and welcoming space for youth, focusing on gender, well-being and Judaism. With a three-year grant of $120,000 from the Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign fund, Moving Traditions runs a small group for teens to learn healthy ways to navigate the world while building their individual Jewish identities. The teens have access to clergy, educators and adult mentors to provide one-on-one support and coaching.