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.

Tara Cherwony: The Next Generation in the
Fight Against Hunger
JEWISH RELIEF AGENCY’S (JRA) warehouse once bustled with hundreds
of volunteers for its monthly food packing and distribution. Now, that number
has dwindled to a maximum of 25 people per shift as a safety precaution due to
COVID-19. In the midst of an entire operational restructuring, committed volunteers,
like 27-year-old Tara Cherwony, have stepped up to ensure that low-income
clients still receive their kosher food packages.

“With funding from the Jewish Federation [of Greater Philadelphia], I have
seen the direct impact being made to fight food insecurity,” said Cherwony, a
member of JRA’s board of directors and the Jewish Federation’s board of trustees.

“When walking down the street, you never know who may be experiencing
hunger.” Twenty-eight percent of Philadelphians have problems paying for food,
according to a 2020 poll by The Pew Charitable Trusts. JRA received more than
$200,000 in emergency funds over the past year from the Jewish Federation to
expand its delivery days, hire additional employees to offset the loss in volun-
teers, afford the rising costs in food and meet the growing rate of clients.

A consistent volunteer prior to the pandemic, Cherwony increased her
efforts during a time when JRA needed it most. Fueled by a passion to alleviate
suffering, the recruitment coordinator of Drexel University’s College of Nursing
and Health Professionals travels from her University City apartment to the
near-empty warehouse in the Northeast multiple times a month to help sort,
pack and deliver. In addition, Cherwony chairs JRA’s Leadership Academy,
which prepares young adults for leadership roles within the organization and to
support its mission of combating hunger.

“Tara’s enthusiasm for public service, passion for social change and dedica-
tion to the Jewish community — and specifically JRA’s mission-driven work
— make her an exceptional volunteer and board member,” said Jodi Roth-Saks,
JRA’s executive director. “Oftentimes, small nonprofits like JRA lean on
dedicated volunteers, like Tara, to deliver their vital programs and services to
the community.”
JRA is not the only organization to “lean” on Cherwony.

Among her many leadership roles, Cherwony serves on the Drexel University
Hillel board of directors, co-chairs a JEVS Human Services’ internship alumni
group, and teaches at Beth Tikvah-B’Nai Jeshurun and Congregation Kol Ami.

She is also a rising leader at the Jewish Federation, an organization that has “been
present [her] whole life,” providing funding for “many experiences growing up,”
such as BBYO, the Satell Teen Fellowship for Leadership and Social Activism,
and JEVS Franklin C. Ash Summer Internship Program.

Cherwony is also the campaign co-chair of NextGen, the Jewish Federation’s
young leadership group.

“Tara has been one of the Jewish Federation’s most reliable and enthusiastic
leaders over the past few years. She is always eager to take the lead on new
projects and gives her all to everything she takes on,” NextGen Director Max
Moline said. “The breadth of her leadership throughout the Philadelphia Jewish
community is truly impressive and inspirational, and we’re lucky to have her
here.” One of Cherwony’s most memorable projects was during NextGen’s
Leadership Development Program. For her capstone, she organized a group to
make 300 kosher meals for homebound older adults through KleinLife’s Cook
for a Friend program.

JEWISHEXPONENT.COM JRA Leadership Academy alumni volunteer
outside the warehouse. From left: Tara Cherwony,
Elena Miller, Ethan Pensak and Ben Shechtman
Courtesy of Elvera Gurevich
Tara Cherwony
Courtesy of Craig Ostroff
“When my grandfather passed away in 2018, my grandmother was able to
get some pre-made meals from this program while she settled back into her
‘new normal,’” Cherwony said. “It was so nice bringing people together to do a
mitzvah, especially knowing the direct impact it can make.”
The Jewish Federation granted KleinLife about $220,000 in emergency funds
throughout the pandemic, mainly to meet its escalating demand of aging clients
who need food assistance. Due to the pandemic, the Jewish Federation’s agency
partners reported a 185% increase in people relying on subsidized, home-deliv-
ered food and a 27% increase in the cost to provide food packages.

Determined to make an enduring impact on the Jewish community, Cherwony
gives the gift of her time and her dollars. Cherwony is a founding member of the
Levin Society, a group created during the global crisis by young trailblazers who
make an annual contribution of $2,500 or more to the Jewish Federation.

“It’s a way for me to pay it forward,” Cherwony said. “Increasing my annual
contribution and becoming a founding member of the Levin Society was
something I decided to do to further show my commitment to the Jewish
Federation and hopefully encourage other young professionals to prioritize their
philanthropic giving to the organization.”
JEWISH EXPONENT
MARCH 11, 2021
29