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.

Carrying the Light through 2020 and Beyond
THE JEWISH FEDERATION
of Greater
Philadelphia recently closed the 2020
Annual Campaign on Aug. 31,
rather than Dec. 31, to align
with the fiscal year. Although
the Annual Campaign period
lasted eight months versus the
usual twelve, $14.7 million was
raised, 41% and $5.6 million
ahead of the same eight-month
period last year.

The generosity of donors
enables the Jewish Federation’s
critical work — caring for
vulnerable people, inspiring
Jewish life and learning, and
building Jewish community
for this generation and future
generations. “I am so grateful for the
generosity shown by so many
who have joined us to support
the 2020 Annual Campaign,
especially during this time
filled with uncertainty,”
Campaign Chair Sherrie Savett
said. “Our [Jewish] Federation
is the central resource which
supports and evaluates the
needs of our Jewish commu-
nity, and such philanthropy is essential to our work now and for the future.”
Money raised through the 2020 Annual Campaign supports the Jewish
Community Fund, organizations throughout the Greater Philadelphia commu-
nity and Israel, and the Emergency Fund — the Jewish Federation’s response to
the COVID-19 pandemic. The Jewish Community Fund is the core focus of the
Annual Campaign, and the Jewish Federation’s main resource to address the
most urgent needs and priorities within the community.

Applications for the new three-year grant cycle of the Jewish Community
Fund opened in September with letters of intent due by Oct. 30. Grants will be
awarded in the spring for programs that align with the following funding prior-
ities: serving vulnerable populations, shaping the Jewish future and connecting
with Israel.

In a time of unprecedented need, the COVID Emergency Fund generated
$2.6 million from 909 households. The fund continues to support relief efforts
by allowing the Jewish Federation to distribute significant grants that extend
the food supply, fund mental and physical health needs, and enable the distri-
bution of 65,000 protective face masks to a wide range of members of the Jewish
community. The Jewish Federation also provided discretionary funds to congregational
rabbis at 90 different synagogues and Chabads across Philadelphia, helping
them aid congregants who have been drastically impacted by COVID-19. Finally,
the Emergency Response Committee created a Jewish Day School Fund that
30 OCTOBER 15, 2020
Photo by Mark Berman
will provide $500,000 to help schools open safely and create a healthy learning
environment for children.

“Our COVID-19 relief efforts have helped more than 280,000 people
throughout our community and in Israel,” said Holly Nelson, Chair of the
Emergency Response Committee. “I am incredibly grateful to each of our
generous donors for their participation in this effort.”
While past campaign years matched the calendar year (Jan. 1 – Dec. 31), the
Jewish Federation’s 2021 Annual Campaign year and all those moving forward will
coincide with their fiscal year calendar (Sept. 1 – Aug. 31). Aligning the fiscal and
campaign years will help them better communicate with donors, report dollars
raised in a more consistent way and be more fluid as they plan allocations each year.

“David [Adelman] and I look forward to building on this year’s success and
realizing even greater resources so we can continue to create a vibrant Jewish
community for the future,” Jewish Federation Board Co-Chair Gail Norry said.

The Jewish Federation is a leading safety net funder of Jewish services in the
Greater Philadelphia area, and among the top funders of Greater Philadelphia
philanthropic organizations.

In addition to the $14.7 million raised through Annual Campaign contribu-
tions, philanthropic revenue during the 2020 fiscal year included $5.7 million in
new endowment funds. The Foundation for Jewish Day Schools (a separate legal
entity managed by the Jewish Federation) received $11.5 million for day school
scholarships. 
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