COMMUNITY NEWS
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia mobilizes
financial and volunteer resources to address the
communities’ most critical priorities locally, in Israel and
around the world.

Source of Relief: Jewish Federation, Old York Road
Kehillah Organize COVID-19 Testing Clinic
AFTER A WEEKEND OF NEW YEAR’S FESTIV-
said Rachel Berger, Jewish Federation’s director
ITIES, 345 people received PCR COVID-19 tests at
of Jewish Life and Neighborhood Initiatives. “It
Gratz College on Jan. 3. Th e pop-up COVID-19
is a privilege to be able to provide this resource,
testing clinic was conducted in partnership with
knowing that many in our community need tests
the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, the
for a variety of reasons, such as safely returning to
Kehillah of Old York Road, Gratz College and Tang
school aft er winter break and visiting friends and
Pharmacy. In an eff ort to reduce fi nancial barriers,
family.” test-takers without insurance were not charged for
Th e Jewish Federation has provided relief and
their PCR COVID-19 tests.

support throughout the pandemic, having quickly
“As COVID cases rise, it’s so important that
mobilized at COVID’s inception to raise funds to
people have access to free and accurate testing,” said
help agencies on the frontlines to address emergency
Kim Decker, director of the Old York Road Kehillah
needs. To date, the Jewish Federation has raised and
and lead organizer of the clinic. “It’s a Jewish value
leveraged $4.8 million to assist those impacted
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, the Kehillah of
that we care deeply about all the members of our
by the pandemic. Funds supported individuals
York Road, Gratz College and Tang Pharmacy organized a
community, and it is a real source of pride that we Old
struggling from fi nancial distress, food insecurity,
pop-up COVID-19 testing clinic.

were able to embody this value through organizing
physical and mental health challenges, and more.

Courtesy of Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
the testing clinic.”
Th e testing clinic at Gratz College remained
Th at Jewish value of care was deeply felt by many of those who visited the open for fi ve hours, from 3-8 p.m., on Jan. 3. All visitors were required to properly
site that day. Th e clinic provided relief for hundreds of nervous individuals and wear masks when not being tested and wait outside to keep indoor occupancy to
families that were unsure of their health status during a nationwide shortage of a minimum.

tests and a surge in COVID-19 cases due to the delta and omicron variants.

“Gratz College has a long record of standing alongside the Kehillah of Old
“My family was in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID. York Road and the Jewish Federation,” Gratz President Zev Eleff said. “We are
While my wife and I are vaccinated and boosted, my children are not, and I was grateful for the opportunity to renew that commitment and support the health
extremely concerned for their health,” explained Josh Katz, who was tested at the and safety of our beloved community.”
clinic. “I am so grateful for the OYR testing clinic, and we are so blessed to have
Tests were available for all ages and backgrounds, and the clinic accommo-
a Jewish community that comes together at this most diffi cult time in our lives.” dated walk-ins in addition to those who preregistered. As a result of the increased
Th is is not the fi rst time the Old York Road Kehillah, a neighborhood initiative demand in tests, some results were delayed. However, the mass eff ort to bring
of the Jewish Federation, was there for its community during the pandemic. Last testing to Old York Road was an achievement of fortitude, quick planning and the
year, the kehillah partnered with the Jewish Federation, Reform Congregation commitment to uplift the community through these challenging times.

Keneseth Israel and Wellness Pharmacy Services on a community-wide vacci-
“As a nurse, I keep a close eye on the eff ects of COVID and its implications
nation clinic. Overall, the clinic provided 1,432 people, Jewish and non-Jewish, for families. Younger families are most vulnerable, since our youngest are not
with their fi rst and second dose of the Moderna vaccine on March 19 and April eligible for vaccines, and families need tests to remain in day care, playing with
16 at KI synagogue.

friends and developing new skills,” explained Sharon Katz, a psychiatric nurse
“Th e Jewish Federation is proud to partner with the Old York Road Kehillah practitioner who received a test from the clinic. “I want to thank all of the groups
throughout the COVID pandemic and most recently with the scarcity of tests,” that made this clinic possible and helped our community navigate another surge.”
16 JANUARY 13, 2022
JEWISH EXPONENT
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM