JCC Maccabi Experience
Project SHEMA
Kaiserman JCC • 45 Haverford Road • Wynnewood, PA 19096
610-896-7770, Ext. 125 • maccabi@phillyjcc.com
phillyjcc.com/maccabi An international Olympics-style competition in a variety of sports for Jewish
teens ages 13 to 16. Team Philadelphia recruits athletes from across the five-
country Philadelphia area to form teams in a variety of individual and team
sports. The week-long games are held in several cities in August. The Mid-
Atlantic Games are for Jewish athletes ages 10 to 12. This is a mini one-day
Maccabi experience. The JCC Maccabi ArtsFest is an intensive arts experience
that takes place each year in August.
Abramson Center for Jewish Life
1425 Horsham Road • North Wales, PA 19454
215-371-1816 • Fax: 215-371-3032
info@abramsoncenter.org • abramsoncenter.org
Project SHEMA (Sharing and Enriching through Multigenerational Activities)
brings together young people from synagogues and other community groups,
along with families and teachers, with nursing-home residents for religious cele-
brations and meaningful multi- generational activities.
Lasko College Prep Program
JEVS Career Strategies Internship Program
1834 Walnut Street, 7th Floor • Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-854-1787 • Fax: 215-854-1880
Rhonda.Cohen@jevs.org • jevshumanservices.org
A year-long program for eligible Jewish high school juniors interested in attend-
ing four-year colleges or universities. Students will receive a summer internship
with a local Jewish nonprofit, resulting in a stipend. Offers SAT and ACT prepa-
ration; college guidance; financial aid counseling; visits to local colleges; mean-
ingful group activities with other Jewish students, including a mitzvah project;
and mentoring by college students participating in the Franklin C. Ash Summer
Internship Program.
National Conference of Synagogue Youth (NCSY)
Atlantic Seaboard Region--Philadelphia and Cherry Hill
215-341-2204 • rabbiyitz@ncsy.org • atsncsy.org
Open to all Jewish youth (grades five to 12) regardless of background affiliation.
Offers participants the opportunity to develop pride in their Jewish heritage,
strengthen their Jewish identity, promote the rights and interests of Jews world-
wide, and learn how to apply the principles of Judaism in their daily lives.
Halachah (“Jewish law”) is observed to Orthodox standards within the
NCSY movement.
No’ar Hadash
1299 Church Road • Wyncote, PA 19095
877-226-7573 or 215-576-0800, Ext. 152
jsteinburg@rrc.edu • noarhadash.org
Promotes and fosters creative, innovative and entertaining programming for
Jewish youth from a Reconstructionist perspective. Sponsors national and
regional gatherings, networking between congregational groups and program-
ming initiatives, and the four-week No’ar Hadash Israel Experience for entering
high school juniors.
North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY)
Union for Reform Judaism—Pennsylvania Council
610-470-7000 (cell phone) or 212-650-4130 • Fax: 866-381-7582
nftypar@urj.org • nfty.org/par
Provides teens with a Reform Jewish community including learning opportu-
nities through leadership, development and mentorship. Teens come together
during the year for events offering learning, fun, worship, community service
and fellowship.
Operation Understanding
PO Box 7766 • Philadelphia, PA 19101
215-665-8575 • Fax: 215-665-8737
director@operationunderstanding.org operationunderstanding.org
Develops a group of young African-American and Jewish leaders knowledgeable
about each other’s histories and cultures to effectively lead the communities of
Philadelphia and beyond to a greater understanding of diversity and acceptance.
74 THE GUIDE 2015/2016
Reta Emerson Fellowship-Teen Assistant Program (TAP)
Jewish Learning Venture
7607 Old York Road • Melrose Park, PA 19027
215-320-0378 • Fax: 215-635-8946
info@jewishlearningventure.org • jewishlearningventure.org.
Educational initiative through which a group of selected high school students
are trained and mentored to assist children with special needs and those experi-
encing difficulty in congregational classroom settings. Beginning with week-
long intensive training, and continuing monthly through the school year, teens
study, learn skills, work in classrooms in their congregations and reflect with
one another about their experiences.
Satell Teen Fellowship for Leadership and Social Action
2100 Arch Street, 7th Floor • Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-832-0617 • brazin@jfgp.org • satellteenfellowship.org
Innovative leadership program for motivated and inspired Jewish teens who
want to make a difference in the community. Teen Fellows will learn leadership
and engage in service learning, including through the unique lens of their her-
itage. Sigma Alpha Rho Fraternity International
JESaylor23@gmail.com • sarfraternity.org
High school-based organization that offers programs in athletics, community
service and career educational opportunities.
United Synagogue Youth (USY)
c/o Adath Israel • 250 N. Highland Avenue • Merion Station, PA
215-870-7902 or 610-934-1919, ext. 1940 • bass@uscj.org • hagesher.org
Youth groups for high school students sponsored by the Conservative move-
ment. Encourages Jewish identity and observance,
volunteer work and education. Sponsors local trips, regional programs and trips
to Israel. Kadima is a youth group for middle-school children. Two regions:
Hagesher — Philadelphia and Northern and Western
suburbs, and southern New Jersey
EPA (Eastern Pennsylvania) — Chester County, Lehigh
Valley, Harrisburg/Lancaster and Wayne County
Young Judaea Northeast Merchav
917-595-2100 or 202-236-9565
info@youngjudaea.org • youngjudaea.org
Through a shared commitment to Jewish values, Jewish pride and love of Israel,
Young Judaea’s programs teach participants how to be activists and leaders, and
bring their skills into their communities. Offers programs and camps for partic-
ipants between the ages of 7 and 35.
C OLLEGE /Y OUNG -A DULT P ROGRAMS
Hillel of Greater Philadelphia
Regional Administrative Offices
Steinhardt Hall • 215 South 39th Street • Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-898-8265 • Fax: 215-898-8259
info@phillyhillel.org • phillyhillel.org
The central address for information concerning Jewish campus life and services
in the Greater Philadelphia area. Working through its Campus Hillel programs
(listed below) HGP strives to inspire students to explore their Judaism, find
value-added in Jewish community affiliation, and create patterns of Jewish liv-
ing that can be sustained after graduation. Its Israel Campus Initiative trains
students to lead the Israel conversation on their campus, recruits students for
Birthright Israel and other immersive experiences in Israel, and advocates for
Israel on local college campuses.
Drexel Hillel
101 N. 33rd Street • Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-895-2531 • idekoninck@phillyhillel.org • drexelhillel.org
Works with student leaders and their social networks to inspire students
to explore their Judaism, find value-added in Jewish community affilia-
tion, and create patterns of Jewish living that can be sustained after
graduation. Student-planned programs include social opportunities,
concerts, Jewish learning, religious services, Shabbat dinners, lectures,
Jewish travel experiences and leadership training. Drexel Hillel leads the
Israel conversation on campus through its affiliated student-led organiza-
tion, Dragons For Israel.
Hillel at Temple University
The Edward H. Rosen Hillel Center
1441 Norris Street • Philadelphia, PA 19121
215-777-9797 • Fax: 215-777-9790
info@templehillel.com • templehillel.com/ehrc
Works through student leaders and their social networks to inspire stu-
dents to explore their Judaism, find value-added in Jewish community
affiliation, and create patterns of Jewish living that can be sustained after
graduation. Student-planned programs include social opportunities,
concerts, Jewish learning, religious services, Shabbat dinners, lectures,
Jewish travel experiences and leadership training. Hillel at Temple leads
the Israel conversation on campus through its affiliated student-led
organizations, TIPAC and Owls For Israel. Kosher dining available at
Temple Hillel’s Café 613, serving "New York-style" deli meals. Open to
the public during the academic year for weekday lunches and dinners.
Supervised by the Community Kashrus of Greater Philadelphia.
Hillel at University of Pennsylvania (Penn Hillel)
Steinhardt Hall • 215 South 39th Street • Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-898-7391 • Fax: 215-898-6393
info@phillyhillel.org • pennhillel.org
As the address of the campus Jewish community, Penn Hillel works in
partnership with many other students groups to inspire students to
explore their Judaism, find value-added in Jewish community affiliation,
and create patterns of Jewish living that can be sustained after gradua-
tion. Student partners include religious communities, educational initia-
tives, social-justice projects, social and cultural opportunities and groups
focusing on Israel education and politics. Penn Hillel sponsors the Jewish
Renaissance Project, which continues to develop Jewish life and commu-
nity in residence halls, off-campus apartments, the Greek community
and wherever students live. Kosher dining is available at the Falk Dining
Commons, a university hall in Steinhardt Hall. Supervised by the Com-
munity Kashrus of Greater Philadelphia.
Hillel in Greater Philadelphia (HIP)
c/o Hillel of Greater Philadelphia, Steinhardt Hall
215 South 39th Street • Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-898-8265 • Fax: 215-898-8259
info@phillyhillel.org • phillyhillel.org
Provides an extensive array of programming for Jewish students at
smaller schools in the Philadelphia area — Arcadia, Bryn Mawr, Bucks
County Community College, Haverford, Penn State Abington, Philadel-
phia University, Swarthmore, University of the Sciences, Villa nova, West
Chester University and other Philadelphia-based schools — through a
citywide student network. Students throughout the Greater Philadelphia
area are welcome to participate.
Bryn Mawr College
217 Roberts Road • Bryn Mawr 19010 (Mailing address:
101 North Merion Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
610-526-5538 Haverford College
794 College Avenue • Haverford, PA 19041 • 610-896-4988
Swarthmore College
21 Bond Hall • 500 College Avenue • Swarthmore, PA 19081
610-328-8615 Hillel’s Jewish Graduate Student Network
Steinhardt Hall • 215 South 39th Street • Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-898-6451 • Fax: 215-898-8259
info@jewishgrads.org • jewishgrads.org
Works through campus-based and city-wide student networks to inspire
graduate students to create patterns of Jewish exploration and commu-
nity affiliation that can be continued well into their adult lives.
Franklin C. Ash Summer Internship Program
JEVS Career Strategies/Internship Programs
1845 Walnut Street, 7th Floor • Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-854-1787 • Fax: 215-854-1880
Rhonda.Cohen@jevs.org • jevshumanservices.org
A co-ed, nonreligious work experience for rising junior and senior Jewish col-
lege students. Participants are selected for their interest in the Jewish commu-
nity, academic achievement, leadership qualities and willingness to mentor high
school students. The seven-week program provides an internship at a Jewish
community nonprofit; career-related workshops and job shadowing; mock
interviews; mentoring a high school student from the Lasko College Prep Pro-
gram; and a one-day mitzvah project. Stipend upon successful completion.
Lubavitch House of the University of Pennsylvania
Perelman Center for Jewish Life
4032 Spruce Street • Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-222-3130 • Fax: 215-222-9635
menschmidt@gmail.com • lubavitchhouse.com
College campus facility of the Lubavitch organization, open to all Jews, provides
Shabbat and holiday programs, celebrations and other religious observances.
(Steinhardt) Jewish Heritage Programs
215-222-9618 • Fax: 215-222-9635 • info.@jhp.org
Helps create Jewish-identity programming geared toward unaffiliated
students. Provides leadership training and mentoring oppor tunities with
Jewish professionals from a variety of fields, as well as hosts retreats and
trips, Shabbat dinners, speakers and Chanukah holiday parties.
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