Why We are Thankful for our Jewish Communities
As we welcome this season of gratitude, thank YOU for helping us care for, inspire and connect with our Jewish
communities each and every day. Community is the Jewish way of life. It’s key to building strength, resilience and
joy. As the hub of our region’s Jewish communities, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia works tirelessly
to build community and ensure a vibrant Jewish future for all of us.

Here are a few stories from fellow community members about what they’re thankful for this time of year:
Connecting the Whole Community
Fostering a Vibrant Community
“Because of Jewish Federation's support
of life-long Jewish learning, my
children have access to PJ Library
books, Jewish summer camp is affordable
for them and their friends, and every Jewish
student who calls Philadelphia home for college
can find connection and meaning through Jewish
community. Jewish Federation believes there is no
one way to be Jewish and consistently supports and
affirms the value of the diversity of our community.”
“RSJ Moishe House has provided me
the opportunity to build a community
that celebrates Russian life and to bring
people together around Shabbat and High
Holidays! Growing up Bukharian and being
surrounded by Russian Jewish culture, I learned
that helping others was important to me. It’s one
of the reasons I got involved with the JRA in the
Northeast. I want to thank the Jewish Federation for
its generous support!”
– Rabbi Isabel de Koninck, Executive Director and Campus Rabbi
of Hillel at Drexel University
– Jonathan
han Yaku
Yakubov, RSJ Moishe House Resident
5,930+ children received Jewish-themed
books and music
2,000+ community members participated in
neighborhood programming through our Kehillot
initiative to build community
$835,000 invested in scholarships and grants to
843 day and overnight campers for the 2021 season
320 teens participated in groups to strengthen their
Jewish identity through Moving Traditions and BBYO
7,400+ households participated in Jewish
educational programming through Jewish Learning
Venture, day schools, and more
2,700+ young adults (ages 25-39) met through
The Chevra and Tribe 12 programming to build
micro-communities based on their shared Jewish identities
Strengthening Jewish Identity
Inspiring Hope in Times of Need
“Rabbi Sacks wrote, ‘Community is where
our grief is halved and our joy doubled
by being shared with others.’ We are
so grateful to the Jewish Federation of
Greater Philadelphia for enabling thousands
of Jews in the area (and beyond) to experience
the immense benefit of being part of the Jewish
community in so many ways.”
“Earlier this year, we used video
technology to help nearly 50 seniors at
KleinLife, including many Holocaust
survivors, travel to Israel virtually. We
found a creative way to bring Israel into the
homes of homebound seniors, and give them
something to look forward to each week.”
-Susan Schwartz, Mission Committee Co-Chair
– Rabbi Daniel Levitt, Rabbi and Executive
Director of Hillel at Temple University
26,000+ community members participated
in programs that inspire Jewish identity
3,700+ older adults participated in
mentally, physically and emotionally rewarding
socialization programs
76,100 children live in Jewish households
in Greater Philadelphia
95% of those older adults said that participating in
socialization programs helped them feel less lonely
72% of parents feel it is important for their children to
be knowledgeable about Jewish customs and beliefs
901 grants provided financial assistance to
vulnerable Jews experiencing unexpected life events
From all of us at the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia,
we wish you a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving!
Show your thanks by giving to jewishphilly.org/donate
18 NOVEMBER 18, 2021
JEWISH EXPONENT
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