Nesiya
516-203-4611 • info@nesiya.org • nesiya.org
Combines outdoor adventure, workshops in the visual performing and literary
arts; community-service projects; cultural activities; and creative Jewish study
in Israel. Participants travel through four regions of Israel — the Negev, Galilee,
Jerusalem and Tel Aviv — and the Judean Desert, and focus on the origins,
development and role of the land of Israel in the future of the Jewish people.
The program is open to North American and Israeli students completing
grades 10 through 12.
Operation Understanding
30 S 15th St Ste 801 • Philadelphia, PA 19102
215-665-8575 • Fax: 215-665-8737
director@operationunderstanding.org • operationunderstanding.org
Identifies and develops future leaders in the African-American and Jewish
communities while educating the community at large about diversity, race
and ethnicity, conflict resolution and the need for mutual respect for others.
152 Bateman Road • Langhorne PA 19047
267-658-4185 • lbalcher@afkmc.org • afkmc.org
Fundraising support for one of Israel’s major general hospitals,
with specialties in many areas, serving Israelis in Rehovot.
American Friends of Hebrew University
2100 Arch Street, Suite 455
Philadelphia, PA 19103
SBloom@afhu.org * www.afhu.org
215-330-6722 A national nonprofit organization dedicated to raising support for, and
awareness of, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Hebrew University is a
multicultural and pluralistic institution devoted to innovation and achieve-
ment across seven academic Faculties.
American Friends of Magen David Adom
c/o United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
212-533-7800 ext. 1146 • www.usy.org/escape/israel/pilgrimage
For students in grades 10 through 12, a six-week tour of Israel. Various pro-
grams are available.
P.O. Box 52158 • Philadelphia, PA 19115
215-947-7007 • Philadelphia@afmda.org • afmda.org
Israel’s ambulance, blood-services, and disaster-relief organization, serving
as emergency medical first responders. MDA is the organization mandated
by the Israeli government to serve in this role, but it’s not a government
agency; it relies on donations for funding.
Volunteers for Israel
American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)
USY Pilgrimages and Adventures
P.O. Box 693 • Skippack, PA 19474
610-584-0468 • 215-646-6381 • Fax: 1-866-514-1948
philadelphia@vfi-usa.org • vfi-usa.org
Assists volunteers ages 17 and up who want to work in Israel on noncombat
IDF logistics and maintenance bases. VFI’s mission is to give support and help
strengthen America’s bonds with Israel. Volunteers live and work alongside
Israelis and other volunteers from around the world. Their jobs might include
packing medical supplies and equipment, repairing machinery and outdated parts,
building fortifications, assisting in the kitchen and maintaining the base. There are
one-, two- and three-week programs year-round. Special programs for students
include the summer International Youth Program (IYP) for young adults ages 17
to 25, and an add-on to Taglit-Birthright tours. During the work week (Sunday
through Thursday afternoon), participants get free housing, kosher meals, work
clothes and cultural programs. There may also be tours. Volunteers pay only for
airfare, weekend expenses and an application fee. VFI is a nonprofit, nonsectarian,
nonpolitical U.S. organization. Volunteers for Israel partners with SAR-EL, an
Israeli organization that oversees volunteers’ experiences on IDF bases.
SUPPORT AND ADVOCACY
AJC Philadelphia/South New Jersey
30 South 15th St., Suite 801 • Philadelphia, PA 19102
215-665-2300 • Fax: 215-665-8737 • philadelphia@AJC.org • ajc.org
Advocates on behalf of Israel and Jewish communities around the world.
Adocacy priorities include: combatting global anti-semitism; promoting
Israel’s place in the world; combatting BDS and countering the spread of
radicalism and extremism.
American Associates, Ben-Gurion University
of the Negev
The Pavilion • 261 Old York Road, Suite 417A
P.O. Box 1128 • Jenkintown, PA 19046
215-884-4510 or 1-800-96-AABGU • Fax: 215-884-4870
winickc@aabgu.org • aabgu.org
Raises funds and public awareness for the university, which carries the
mandate to spearhead development of the Negev in the fields of industry,
agriculture, science, culture and education.
112 American Friends of the Kaplan Medical Center
THE GUIDE 2017/2018
2100 Arch St., 5th Floor • Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-587-4104 • philly@aipac.org • aipac.org
Pro-Israel lobbying organizations working with both Democratic and
Republican political leaders to enact public policy strengthening the U.S.-
Israel relationship. Works with Congress and the executive branch on initia-
tives from securing foreign aid for Israel to stopping Iran’s nuclear program.
American Technion Society-Philadelphia Chapter
100 Four Falls Corporate Center, Suite 211
West Conshohocken, PA 19428
610-940-3800 • Fax: 610-940-3880
technion.phi@ats.org • ats.org/phila
Supports the Technion Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel’s oldest
scien tific and technical university.
AMIT-Mid-Atlantic Regional Office
P.O. Box 342 • Wynnewood, PA 19096
410-484-2223 or 1-800-989-AMIT
info@amitchildren.org • amitchildren.org
Supports educational and social-welfare institutions throughout Israel,
helping disadvantaged youth become constructive citizens in Israeli society
through educational programs, teaching Torah and Jewish tradition, and
promoting a sense of unity among Jews.
Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
1500 Market St. • Suite 2415 West Tower
Philadelphia, PA 19102
215-568-2223 • Fax: 215-568-5526
philadelphia@adl.org • philadelphia.adl.org
Advocates actively on behalf of Israel. Monitors and tracks extremists
and hate groups, educates children and adults, and protects constitutional
rights and religious freedoms.
Boys Town Jerusalem Foundation of America
333 E. Lancaster Ave., #351 • Wynnewood, PA 19096
215-887-1590 or 1-800-469-2697 • Fax: 610-668-7739
btjphilly@boystownjerusalem.org • boystownjerusalem.org
Support group for residential educational institution in Jerusalem offering
dis advantaged youth, ages 12 to 20, an intensive multi-disciplinary curriculum
emphasizing technology, academics and religious studies.
Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
2100 Arch St. • Philadelphia, PA 19103 • 215-832-0553
info@jewishphilly.org • jewishphilly.org
Seeks to strengthen Israel by building connections between Diaspora and Israeli
Jews; supports disadvantaged youth in Israel; addresses basic needs in Israel
and around the world and provides security and emergency services for
vulnerable Jewish populations in Israel.
Israel Office:
1 Ibn Givrol • Jerusalem, Israel 91707 • Tlidar@jewishphilly.org
Represents the Jewish Federation by articulating its mission and
policy to Israeli social and educational agencies, local municipalities,
JDC, the Jewish Agency for Israel and the government of Israel.
Major programs include Partnership 2Gether, Global Judaism,
Israel Fund, endowment gifts, missions, volunteer programs and
resource information about Israel.
Israel Advocacy Committee
Empowers Jews and non-Jews in the Greater Philadelphia area to support
Israel as the democratic nation-state of the Jewish people, with the right
to live in peace and security as a member of the community of nations.
Friends of the Israel Defense Force (FIDF)
Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey Chapter
500 Office Center Dr., Suite 400 • Fort Washington, PA 19034
215-383-2890 • Philadelphia@fidf.org • fidf.org
Initiates and helps support social, educational, cultural and recreational programs
and facilities for the young men and women soldiers of Israel who defend the
Jewish homeland. Also provides support for the families of fallen soldiers.
Hadassah of Greater Philadelphia
Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc.
1518 Walnut St., Suite 402 • Philadelphia, PA 19102-3419
215-732-7100 • Fax: 215-732-7245
jron@hadassah.org • hadassah.org/regions/greater-philadelphia
In Israel, the group supports the Hadassah Medical Organization, Hadassah
College Jerusalem, youth villages for children at risk and more. In the Philadel-
phia-area membership spans all ages and all affiliations of Judaism with groups
in neighborhood across the region.
Israel Guide Dog Center for the Blind
968 Easton Road, Suite H • Warrington, PA 18976
215-343-9100 • Fax: 215-343-9199
info@israelguidedog.org • israelguidedog.org
Funds raised go toward providing guide dogs for visually impaired Israelis.
Jewish Women International
215-564-3466 or 1-800-343-2823 • jwi@jwi.org • jwi.org
Empowers women and girls through programs for economic
literacy, community training, healthy relationship education and the prolifer-
ation of women’s leadership. Programs, advocacy and philanthropic initiatives
protect the fundamental rights of all girls and women to live in safe homes,
thrive in healthy relationships and realize the full potential of their personal
strength. Also supports the Jerusalem Hills Children’s Home in Israel for
youngsters growing up in violent homes.
Maccabi USA
1511 Walnut St., Suite 401 • Philadelphia, PA 19102
215-561-6900 • Fax: 215-561-5470
maccabi@maccabiusa.com • maccabiusa.com
Connects athletes and volunteers to each other and the global Jewish
community through athletic, educational and cultural experiences. The
programs increase Jewish identity, perpetuate Jewish continuity and strengthen
support for the State of Israel. Represents the Maccabi Movement in the U.S.,
and promotes U.S. participation in the World Maccabiah Games held in Israel
as well as other regional and international competitions.
Scholars for Peace in the Middle East (SPME)
P.O. Box 2241 • Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 •aromirowsky@spme.org • spme.org
Community of scholars who have united to promote honest, fact-based,
and civil discourse in regard to Middle East issues.
StandWithUs Philadelphia
P. O. Box 40313 • Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-971-8602 • ferneh@standwithus.com • standwithus.com
International education organization dedicated to empowering high school
students, college students and community members to become strong advo-
cates for Israel. SWU is a large distributor of Israel-related print materials and
social media. Hosts speakers, programs, conferences, and campaigns and works
in partnership with other organizations. Has chapters throughout the U.S., in
Israel, Canada, the U.K and Australia.
Zionist Organization of America—ZOA Philadelphia
1 Belmont Ave., Suite 601 • Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
610-660-9466 • office@zoaphilly.org • zoaphilly.org
Nonprofit, educational, advocacy and outreach organization promoting and
defending Israel and a mutually beneficial U.S.- Israel relationship. Sponsors
quarterly meetings, an annual gala, Washington advocacy mission, “Buy Israel”
campaign, special events, speakers bureau and an Emerging Zionists group.
Israeli American Council-Philadelphia
45 Haverford Road • Wynnewood, PA 19096 • 267-250-3835
philadelphia@israeliamerican.org • israeliamerican.org/philadelphia
Bolsters the Israeli American Community and works to reinforce support
for Israel.
J Street Philadelphia
Philadelphia@JSt.org • jst.org/philadelphia
Advocates for American diplomatic leadership to achieve a two-state solution,
and advocates for a broad debate on Israel and the Middle East in the Greater
Philadelphia Jewish community.
Jewish National Fund (JNF)
150 Monument Road, Suite 207 • Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
1-800-542-8733 • 215-832-0690 • 215-972-0289 • mfurman@jnf.org • jnf.org
Serves as a caretaker of the land of Israel on behalf of Jewish communities
everywhere. JNF has planted trees; built reservoirs and dams; created parks;
provided the infrastructure for many communities; built security rd.s; and
educated students around the world about Israel and the environment.
Today, JNF is restoring northern Israel and developing the Negev Desert.
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