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.

Building a Legacy’s Next Chapter:
Jonathan Morgan Becomes New JFRE Chair
JONATHAN MORGAN ORIGINALLY JOINED the Jewish Federation Real
Estate (JFRE) group more than a decade ago because the founding members were
“rock stars in the Philly real estate community.”
Beyond JFRE’s initial allure and the ability to form a local network, Morgan
quickly recognized the full-scope and beauty of the group’s mission to fund
capital projects that support critical infrastructure needs in Greater Philadelphia
and in Israel.

“We are a community that supports its community,” said Morgan, a Greater
Philadelphia native.

Today, Morgan is the president and founder of Morgan Properties JV, an affil-
iate of Morgan Properties, and the new JFRE chair. Committed to continuing
the legacy of connection, innovation and giving back, Morgan looks forward to
bringing in the next generation of JFRE members.

Morgan, who is also a member of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s
Jonathan Morgan
Jonathan Morgan and other JFRE members during an
Board of Trustees, is gearing up for his first program as the JFRE chair — Legends
Courtesy of Jonathan Morgan exclusive hard-hat tour of the Comcast Technology Tower
and Leaders. While the highly-attended and annual event was canceled last year
during its construction in 2017
Courtesy of Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
due to the pandemic, this year, it will take place on Oct. 15 at the Kimmel Center,
with a virtual option for those who cannot attend in person.

We spoke with Morgan to learn more about him, his new role and JFRE’s Capital and co-founder of FS Investments. He is also the current board co-chair
upcoming Legends and Leaders signature event.

of the Jewish Federation and one of the original founders of JFRE. As I said, the
JFRE founders are our city’s real estate rock stars and a major reason as to why I
How does it feel to be the new chair of JFRE?
became a member.

I am extremely excited to be the new chair of JFRE. JFRE is an amazing affinity
I am also thrilled to say that our signature event will be at the Kimmel Center,
group of the Jewish Federation, and I am very proud to continue its rich traditions one of the best venues in Philadelphia. Legends and Leaders is hands down the top
and build off our momentum from this past year. We have much to look forward real estate networking event in our city. We expect a great turnout.

to in the year ahead as a Jewish community.

What do you hope to accomplish during your term as
JFRE Chair?
I hope to increase member engagement, particularly as it pertains to Young JFRE,
which represents our members younger than 30 years old. We believe that Young
JFRE is our lifeblood, so we definitely want to provide these younger Jewish real
estate professionals with networking and community building opportunities to
further their engagement in our community. We want to give them an opportu-
nity to learn from our Executive Committee and attend some of these incredible
events to meet the best and brightest in real estate.

Why should real estate professionals and related industry
professionals become JFRE members?
Real estate professionals and others in related industries should attend our
programs to network with our industry leaders, engage with your community
and learn about some of the exciting opportunities that we are offering this year
with JFRE. I would encourage everyone to sign up for Legends and Leaders, get
involved in JFRE and become a member. We are just getting started and have
much to look forward to in what will be an incredible year.

Why do you give to the Jewish Federation?
I give to the Jewish Federation because it is important to give back and ensure that
we as a Jewish community stick together. If this past year taught us anything, it
is that we need to come together. There is still a lot of antisemitism out there in
Matt has been amazing, and he is very passionate about JFRE. Under Matt’s the world. I have four young children and want to teach them the importance of
leadership, we had to pivot to a virtual setting for most of our meetings and being Jewish and being part of our community. It defines us and so that is why I
events during COVID. It was a time of uncertainty and very challenging to say give to the Jewish Federation.

the least. Matt has always been fully supportive of our key initiatives for this year.

He suggested we focus on quality over quantity and strategize ways to make a What is something people may not know about you?
significant impact and not dilute our brand. JFRE is very passionate in everything My family is what drives me. My wife and I have four young kids between the ages
we do, and that is part of the reason we are successful.

of one and six. We are teaching them the importance of being Jewish and giving
back to the community.

What advice has the immediate past JFRE chair, Matt Pes-
tronk, given you?
Legends and Leaders is around the corner. What are you
most excited for and why should people attend?
Want to become a JFRE member? Visit jewishphilly.org/jfre. To register for
David Adelman is our keynote speaker this year, who I am excited to be speaking JFRE’s signature Legends and Leaders event on Oct. 15 at the Kimmel Center, with
with in conversation. David is the CEO of Campus Apartments, founder of Darco a virtual option, visit jewishphilly.org/legends.

16 SEPTEMBER 23, 2021
JEWISH EXPONENT
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM



Jewish Federation Real Estate’s 9 th Annual
Legends & Leaders
A S I G N AT U R E E V E N T F O R R E A L E S TAT E A N D I N D U S T R Y P R O F E S S I O N A L S
October 15, 2021, at the Kimmel Center
In-Person at 7:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Livestream at 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

N E T W O R K W I T H T O P N A M E S | I N N O VAT I V E PA N E L D I S C U S S I O N S | C O N T I N E N TA L B R E A K FA S T
Keyno Speaker: David Adelman, Real estate mogul and philanthropic
Keynote visionary, in conversation with JFRE Chair Jonathan Morgan
R Register today at jewishphilly.org/legends
Complimentary for JFRE members to attend.

$150 for non-members through October 7 th | $175 starting on October 8 th
*Cost reflects both an in-person or virtual reservation
Questions? Call 215.832.0852
Presenting Sponsor
Premier Sponsors
Platinum Sponsor
Gold Sponsors
GOODMAN Silver Sponsors
P R O P E R T I E S
Bronze Sponsors
ASI Management • Gramercy Park Capital • JKJ Financial Services • KeyBank • MMPartners, LLC • Neff • Odell Studner • Parkway Corporation
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM JEWISH EXPONENT
SEPTEMBER 23, 2021
17