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.

NextGen Spotlight: Meet Colby Pellegrini
FOR COLBY PELLEGRINI, 31, it’s all
about paying it forward.

After graduating NextGen’s Leadership
Development Program (LDP) in 2019, he
joined the Committee for Jewish Life and
Learning (CJLL) at the Jewish Federation
of Greater Philadelphia. Proudly serving
on the committee, Pellegrini understands
firsthand the importance of Jewish educa-
tion and the work the Jewish Federation
does to help all children have access to it.

While attending the Jewish Federation-
supported Jack M. Barrack Hebrew
Academy, at the time Akiba Hebrew
Academy, Pellegrini’s father suddenly
passed away, and his family struggled to
pay his tuition. Through scholarships and
financial assistance, the Jewish Federation
and Barrack Hebrew Academy ensured
that Pellegrini could remain at the school
he loved.

Today, Pellegrini is the vice president
of employee benefits at USI Insurance
Services and is an active leader in uplifting
the community that has always been there
for him.

We spoke with Pellegrini about his
passion for Jewish education, the Jewish
Federation and NextGen.

were just like me. I can attribute a lot of
my success to the support I had. Now, I’m
in a position and point in my life where
I’m able to give back. It’s my turn to pay it
forward for the next generation.

Throughout your leadership
journey in the Jewish
Federation, what has been
one of your most
memorable experiences?
My most memorable experience was our
NextGen Leadership Project through
LDP. Our group spent months planning
a social event for March Madness in
2020. The goal was to bring people in
the community together while supporting
an incredible Jewish Federation-backed
organization, Makom Community, which
creates family-centered, after-school
Jewish experiences for children ages 4-11.

We titled our event “Makom Madness.”
As we all know today, the timing of this
coincided with so much uncertainty in
our country. March Madness of 2020 was
one of the first national events to be
canceled due to the pandemic, with our
local program being canceled as well.

While our project may not have gone the
way we had hoped, the mission of gener-
ating visibility and funding for Makom
Community was a success.

How did you first get involved
with NextGen and the
Jewish Federation?
I have always been very familiar with the
Why do you give to the Jewish
Jewish Federation. They helped support
Federation? Colby Pellegrini wants to give back to the Jewish Federation and community that
Courtesy of Colby Pellegrini I give to the Jewish Federation because I
my family and subsidized my tuition as helped him when he was younger.
a child. I didn’t get involved with the
believe in what they do and the organiza-
organization until my late 20s. My friend Matt Shipon, NextGen board chair at
tions they support. I can say firsthand that they have personally made an impact
the time, knew of my interfaith upbringing and thought I’d be a great addition
on my life. The Jewish Federation depends on donors, so without everyone’s
to the already-diverse group.

contributions, they wouldn’t be able to sustain the life-changing work they do
each and every day for those in need. It’s so important that people realize this.

What is an organization, program or cause that the Jewish
It’s on all of us to continue to donate and show our ongoing support.

Federation supports that personally resonates with you?
I asked to become a member of the Committee for Jewish Life and Learning
because of the impact the Jewish community has already had on my life. I was
fortunate enough to have the Jewish Federation support me and my family and
provide financial aid so I could attend Jewish day school when I was younger.

My dad, who battled mental illness for years, suddenly passed midway through
high school. Without hesitation, my high school, Jack M. Barrack Hebrew
Academy (formerly Akiba), stepped in to cover my tuition for the remainder
of high school.

I look back now and realize how truly lucky I was to have my community
standing beside me when I needed them most. Being a part of the CJLL is
meaningful to me because they help fund organizations that support kids who
20 OCTOBER 14, 2021
What advice would you give to someone who is just
starting to get involved in NextGen?
I would advise anyone who is just starting to get involved in NextGen to take
full advantage of the affinity group. Show up, attend the networking and social
events, and be engaged. You would be surprised by the relationships that are
formed through this group, both personal and professional.

NextGen is the young professional affinity group of the Jewish Federation of
Greater Philadelphia. To learn more about NextGen, email Max Moline at mmoline@
jewishphilly.org. JEWISH EXPONENT
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM