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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C ommunity / deaths
DEATH NOTICES
DEATH NOTICES
FEIN ABRAHAM
Marcia Abraham died peacefully at home on
October 5, 2020, at the age of 75. Born in
Philadelphia, the daughter of Ned and Kay
Swerdlow, Marcia attended Girls’ High and
Temple University, where she earned a Ph.D.

in psychoeducational processes. A lover of
language and education, she began her ca-
reer as a teacher of French and Spanish at
Lower Moreland High School, and she re-
turned to teaching at Holland Middle School.

With a deep commitment to the Jewish com-
munity, Marcia was co-founder of Shir Ami,
Newtown, PA, and founder of Rimon Jewish
Day School. She loved traveling and seeing
Broadway shows with Ronnie, her beloved
husband for 52 years. Her favorite moments
were at the Margate beach with her family.

She was the loving mother of Adam, Shara,
and Nina; supportive mother-in-law of Brian,
Michael, and Ambika; devoted Bubbe of
Kaleb, Ari, Mason, and Logan. Achieving the
Jewish mother trifecta, she raised a Ph.D.,
J.D., and M.D. Marcia is also survived by her
brother, Paul Swerdlow, and her in-laws,
Barry and Ellen Abraham, Scott and Marcie
Kallen. With a crossword puzzle and Boggle,
Kandy Kakes and Perrier, singing showtunes
in the car ... MSA, we’ll be by the sea forever.

Contributions in her memory may be made to
the Marcia Abraham Fund for Jewish Life, at
Shir Ami, or at Temple Beth Sholom, New
City, NY.

GOLDSTEINS' ROSENBERG'S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
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Sonya Esther “Sunny” Fein, 76. Loving and
loved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt,
daughter, cherished friend, educator, family
poet and lyricist, died on October 7, 2020,
from the cancer she had kept at bay for the
past twelve years. She is survived by her
husband Maier of 53 years, two sons, their
spouses, three grandchildren and sister-in-
law: Matthew, Lisa and Corey Fein; Michael
Fein, Marjorie Feld, and Isaac and Nathan
Feinfeld; and Arlene Ritter Sharkey. She was
predeceased by her parents Nathan and Be-
atrice Ritter and her brother Kenneth Ritter. A
native Philadelphian, she moved to Connecti-
cut in 1967. As an elementary school teach-
er and language arts consultant for over 25
years, she brought the joy of reading to
countless children. After a short period
teaching in Cheltenham, Penn., and Quaker
Hill, Conn., she joined the Ledyard Center
School in 1980 and retired from there in
2004. For over fifty years, she was an active
member of Congregation Beth El in New Lon-
don, Conn., where she served on the Board
of Directors and several of its committees,
while supporting programs such as the Torah
Fund, Bikur Cholim and the annual Purim
Dinner. She graduated South Philadelphia
High School and earned her undergraduate
and graduate degrees in education from
Temple University and the University of Con-
necticut, respectively. She volunteered for the
Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut’s
Friendly Visitors Program and its Literacy
Program in New London Schools. Contribu-
tions in Sunny’s memory may be made to
Congregation Beth El at bethel-nl.org, the
Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut at
jfec.com, the Greater Boston Jewish Coali-
tion for Literacy at www.jcrcboston.org/liter-
acy, or the Detroit Jewish Coalition for Liter-
acy at jcrcajc.org. Please visit www.neilanfu-
neralhome.com to sign the guestbook or to
share a memory.

THOMAS L. NEILAN & SONS
FUNERAL HOME
Leo Levin, passed away October 3, 2020 due
to complications of Covid-19. Beloved hus-
band of the late Mildred Levin (nee Myers).

Loving father of Sharon Rosen (Wayne) and
the late Mark Levin. Adoring grandfather of
Dr. Alicia Rosen. He was a WWII veteran, and
purple heart recipient. Contributions in his
memory may be made to The Alzheimer’s As-
sociation 399 Market St. Suite #250, Phila PA
19106 www.alz.org/delval. Services were
private. GOLDSTEINS' ROSENBERG'S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
FLEISHMAN SUSSMAN
DESMAN Helen Phyllis Desman (nee Wasserman),
passed away on October 4, 2020. Wife of the
late Herbert. Mother of Dr. Scott (Elaine)
Desman, Jeffrey (Beth) Desman and Dr. Eric
(Lisa) Desman. Grandmother of Alexander,
Sydney, Arienne, Jaime, Jacob, Mitchell,
Delaney, Noah and Braden. Private Graveside
services were held. In lieu of flowers, contri-
butions in her memory may be made to the
Holocaust Documentation and Education
Center, 303 N. Federal Hwy., Delray Beach,
FL, 33004, www.hdec.org
GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
DEATH NOTICES
Steven Fleishman passed away too soon on
September 19, 2020. Beloved son of Delores
“Dolly” and the late Philip Fleishman. Dear
brother of Wayne (Rachel) Fleishman and the
late David Fleishman. Loving uncle of Don,
Lee (Wendy), and Amber. Great uncle of Lu-
cas. Mr. Fleishman designed parts for con-
veyor systems, was an auto cad draftsman,
an architectural draftsman, an assembler,
and a site surveyor. He was also an avid
stamp collector and a puzzle maker.

Graveside services were private. Contribu-
tions in his memory may be made to the
American Cancer Society of a charity of the
donor’s choice.

GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
GORDON Michael Gordon passed on September 7,
2020 before the New Year. He was married to
Ruth Gordon. Retired from the auction busi-
ness, becoming an antique clock restoration
expert. He was the Social Director and Tech-
nical Authority at Delaware Valley Sporting
Goods for many years. Burial was at
Roosevelt Cemetery. Michael's positive atti-
tude was kind and uplifting, a beacon for all
who knew him. He is sorely missed by Harris,
Jay, Anthony and his many friends.

Nancy Heleman, died September 29,2020.

Loving daughter of Carol Micklin. She is sur-
vived by her sister, Arleen Gehman and her
children Erica and Keith. Predeceased by her
husband Ron. Nancy worked for the Govern-
ment for over 30 year, she was a huge fan of
all Philadelphia sports teams and loved her
television shows. Her funeral service was
held Sunday, October 4 at Shalom Memorial,
arrangements by Goldsteins' Rosenberg's
Raphael-Sacks. Contributions in her memory
may be made to a charity of the donor's
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LUBOW Bernard LuBow, October 3, 2020, of
Moorestown, NJ. Husband of Sandra LuBow.

Father of the late Laura (Dr. Howard) Altman
and the late Dr. Richard (Wendy) LuBow.

Grandfather of L.J. (Marlo), Jon, Olivia and
Alyssa. Great Grandfather of Hayden. Brother
of Barbara Graff. Interment Roosevelt Me-
morial Park, Trevose, PA.

PLATT MEMORIAL CHAPELS, Inc.

SCHLESSINGER Rita Schlessinger (nee Warshell). Passed
away on October 4, 2020. Rita grew up in
Strawberry Mansion and was a graduate of
Simon Gratz High School, as well as a mem-
ber of Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel. Wife of
William Schlessinger. Mother of Evan (Dana)
Schlessinger, David (Carole) Schlessinger
and the late Brian (Tara) Schlessinger z”l.

Grandmother of Ricky, Mimi, Bella, Alex,
Maya, Shira, Eitan and Shimon. Contribu-
tions in her memory may be made to a char-
ity of the donor’s choice.

GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
David Sussman, October 4, 2020 of Ardmore,
PA. Beloved Brother of Dr. Stephen (Jane)
Sussman, Benjamin (Deborah Cohen) Suss-
man and Bowen Sussman. Also survived by
many other loving family and friends. Ser-
vices and interment were held at Roosevelt
Memorial Park. Contributions in his memory
may be made to www.eagleville.org/giving.

JOSEPH LEVINE and SONS
www.levinefuneral.com A
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classified@jewishexponent.com OCTOBER 15, 2020
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