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.

Always There: Jewish Federation Gives Additional
Resources to the Community During Funding Lull
A THIRD OF PRIVATE GIVING happens in the
first four weeks of a sudden disaster and the remaining
two-thirds of giving occurs within two months thereafter,
according to a 2018 report from the Center for Disaster
Philanthropy. This giving stops almost completely after
five or six months, with less funding available for the
critical phases of recovery and rebuilding.

But this has not been the case in the Jewish Greater
Philadelphia region. Due to the communities’ resilience
and continued generosity, the response to the economic,
social and emotional impact of COVID-19 has not followed
the general pattern of severe decline in resources over time.

Since last March, the Jewish Federation of Greater
Philadelphia has continually worked with local agencies
to address the needs of those most vulnerable. The
Jewish community donated millions of dollars and volun-
teered their time to provide nutritious meals to the food
insecure, friendly phone calls to and technology access for
28 MARCH 25, 2021
isolated seniors, three-ply surgical masks distribution to
first-responders and at-risk populations, job resources to
the newly unemployed, and other critical services.

This steadfast support is essential in adapting to
the ever-changing landscape of those in need and how
agencies are able to serve them.

“Providing food security for our community members
remains a priority and a challenge,” said Brian Gralnick,
director of the Jewish Federation’s social responsibility
efforts. “The pandemic has caused dramatic reductions
in the types of foods available from food banks and, as a
result, food pantries are spending more out of pocket to
make up for reduced supply and variety.”
In addition to the Jewish Federation’s ongoing relief
efforts, the organization was approached by The Jewish
Federations of North America (JFNA) with an opportunity
to make an even greater impact. It was a human services
match challenge, locally called the Maimonides Fund.

JEWISH EXPONENT
In just six short weeks, the Jewish Federation raised
more than $1 million, which was matched with $500,000
by JFNA for a total of $1.6 million of funding for service
agencies that focus on housing, food, medical care and
mental health assistance.

“The JFNA Funds were immensely helpful, because they
provided additional resources after the typical decrease
in disaster funding and created a way for donors to have
an even greater impact with their end of year giving,”
Gralnick said.

The Maimonides Fund grants were distributed to 13
local agencies as a way to provide rent or utility relief,
extra meals, technology upgrades and assistance, super-
market gift cards, transportation for clients to get their
COVID vaccines, and health and safety item purchases.

The funds will also help cover expenses for additional
staff and overtime costs that are necessary to meet the
growing demand.

JEWISHEXPONENT.COM



C OMMUNITY
COMMUNITYBRIEFS Attorney Lila Roomberg Dies at 93
LILA G. ROOMBERG, who was the fi rst female
partner at Ballard Spahr, died March 17. She was 93.

Roomberg spent 31 years at Ballard Spahr starting
in 1959 as a clerk/librarian and during her career
was involved in fi nancing 75 health care facilities
in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Florida. She was
named the fi rm’s fi rst female partner in 1971. She also
was its fi rst Jewish partner.

Roomberg wrote “Turning Adversaries Into Allies
in the Workplace” in 1999 and oft en assisted young
women starting law careers. She described a job
search aft er graduating from New York University
School of Law — fi nanced by working as a payroll
clerk in a necktie factory — that included being
turned down by numerous fi rms that wouldn’t hire a
woman as a lawyer.

Lila Roomberg
Courtesy of the
Roomberg family
She also was known for her fearlessness. In the
1970s, she was mugged in Center City, then chased
aft er her assailant, screaming to attract assistance. Th e
man dropped her purse, but she and others continued
the pursuit until police apprehended the mugger.

In 2000, Roomberg received the Sandra Day O’Connor
Award from the Philadelphia Bar Association. She was
honored with the fi rst-ever Lifetime Achievement Award
from the Pennsylvania Bar Association Commission
on Women in the Profession in 2010, and received its
Anne X. Alpern Award in 2002, recognizing excel-
lence in the profession and signifi cant professional
impact on women in the law.

Ballard Spahr named a conference room in
Roomberg’s honor in 2017.

Kaiserman JCC Names Interim CEO
Outgoing Kaiserman JCC CEO Amy Krulik
announced March 16 that Jay Steinberg will serve
as the organization’s interim CEO while a search
committee works to fi nd a permanent replacement.

Steinberg has worked in Philadelphia-area JCCs
in a number of capacities, including as director at
the Klein JCC and as director of development for the
JCCs of Greater Philadelphia. He also raised money
to support the 2001 JCC Maccabi Games that were
hosted at the JCC.

Krulik announced in February that she leaving the
JCC to become the executive director of Main Line
Reform Temple. She has been CEO since 2017.

Former Area Resident’s Short Film
Nominated for NAACP Image Award
“Gets Good Light,” a short fi lm produced by Elizabeth
Phillipson-Weiner, who grew up in Lower Merion,
was nominated for an NAACP Image Award in the
Outstanding Short Film (Live Action) category.

Phillipson-Weiner also wrote the music for the
short fi lm, which stars Cedric Leiba Jr., Edmond
Cofi e, Jessica Pimentel and Catherine Curtin. Th e
fi lm centers around a luxury condo that becomes a
brief refuge for a family targeted by U.S. Immigration
Elizabeth Phillipson-Weiner
Courtesy of Elizabeth Phillipson-Weiner
and Customs Enforcement.

Phillipson-Weiner, who is now based in New York,
has 24 composer credits, according to imdb.com, as
well as 11 producer credits.

Jewish Federation Helps Organize Vaccine Clinic
Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and the
Kehillah of Old York Road partnered with Wellness
Pharmacy Services on March 19 to provide 1,400
vaccine shots in a single day for community members,
most 65 or older.

Community members received their fi rst shot at
Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel in Elkins Park
and will return for their second dose in April.

Kayly Sei, president and co-founder of Wellness
Pharmacy, asked the two organizations for help in
serving the 65-plus community, and in less than four
days they had a plan and an organized program.

To assist with the technological aspects, the Jewish
Federation created a one-day phone bank to schedule 50
appointments for each 15-minute increment from 9 a.m.

to 5 p.m. Appointments were available by phone only. ●
— Compiled by Andy Gotlieb
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