Hosts for Hospitals — In-Home Hospitality
for Families and Patients
Mitzvah Food Project
Jewish Family and Children’s Service
of Greater Philadelphia Volunteer Services
Repair the World: Philadelphia
326 Conshohocken State Road, #2 • Gladwyne, PA 19035
484-380-2999 • Fax: 215-472-3803
lodging@hostsforhospitals.org • hostsforhospitals.org
Provides an opportunity to perform the mitzvah of Hachnasat Orchim —
the bringing in of guests. Volunteer hosts provide free lodging for out-of-
towners who travel to Philadelphia in association with patients who are
receiving care at area hospitals. Guests are responsible for their own food
and transportation.
7607 Old York Road (lower level) • Elkins Park, PA 19027
1-866-JFCS-NOW or 1-866-532-7669 • info@jfcsphilly.org • jfcsphilly.org
Opportunities to get involved include:
Opportunities at the Barbara and Harvey Brodsky Enrichment Center
Hands-on service projects (Circle of Hands)
Delivering challahs to hospital patients (Challah Mitzvah Program)
Engaging with our clothing assistance program (Our Closet)
Bar/Bat Mitzvah projects
Jewish Information and Referral Service
Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
215-832-0821 • info@jewishphilly.org
Volunteers answer the telephone and assist callers with information about the
Philadelphia Jewish community and its resources. Volunteers also work on
time-limited special projects.
Jewish Relief Agency
225 East City Ave, Suite 210 • Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
610-660-0190 • Fax: 610-660-0191 • JRA@JewishRelief.org • jewishrelief.org
Connects volunteers of diverse ages and backgrounds to service opportunities
in the community. Opportunities include packing and delivering supplemen-
tary kosher food boxes to individuals and families, driving seniors to medical
appointments or the grocery store, making friendly visits to seniors, completing
minor home repairs, maintenance and yard work, and more. JRA has grown
to serve diverse low-income individuals and families throughout Greater
Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, including seniors, persons with dis-
abilities and chronic illnesses, people facing temporary financial emergencies,
immigrants and refugees. The Food Distribution Center is located at: 10980
Dutton Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154. 215-281-1101
KleinLife: Northeast Philadelphia
10100 Jamison Ave. • Philadelphia, PA 19116
215-698-7300, ext. 196 • sudell@kleinlife.org • KleinLife.org
Sponsors many volunteers opportunities that help ensure that no home-bound
senior goes hungry. Opportunities include: helping to cultivate and harvest fruits
and vegetables at KleinLife; packaging meals with a local cooking group; volun-
teering to be a friendly visitor; and/or delivering meals to homebound seniors.
Donations of homegrown vegetables are also accepted.
215-832-0509 • mitzvahfoodprogram@jewishphilly.org • jewishphilly.org/mfp
Volunteers are needed to pack and deliver food packages, which include
non-perishable food and produce, to low-income households in Greater
Philadelphia. Monthly or bimonthly packing/delivery schedules available
depending on pantry location. Back-up delivery volunteers are also needed.
B’nai Mitzvah projects welcome. Pantry locations include: Jewish Community
Services Building (Center City); Brodsky Enrichment Center (Main Line);
KleinLife (Northeast Philadelphia); Congregation Tifereth Israel of Lower
Bucks County (Bucks County); and Beth Sholom Congregation (Elkins Park).
267-969-7159 • philadelphia@weRepair.org • WeRepair.org
Aims to make service and volunteering an integral part of North American
Jewish life. Offers a variety of volunteer opportunities, including both one-time
and regular opportunities, and social events for volunteers to have a chance to
discuss local and national social justice issues.
RSVP Philadelphia
KleinLife • 10100 Jamison Ave. • Philadelphia, PA 19116
267-345-7787 • sudell@kleinlife.org • rsvphilly.org
Opportunities for individuals to volunteer in social service agencies, schools,
museums and consumer groups.
YOUTH GROUPS
BBYO Liberty Region
Aleph Zadek Aleph (AZA) & B’nai B’rith Girls (BBG)
8201 High School Road • Elkins Park, PA 19027
267-332-4501 • Liberty@bbyo.org • bbyo.org
Pluralistic Jewish teen movement for teens in grades eight through 12. AZA
and BBG chapters provide leadership programs and identity enrichment
experiences. Chapters have regular meetings, social, and community service
programming on some week nights and largely on the weekend. BBYO
chapters are creating a movement of Jewish teens committed to giving more
Jewish teens more meaningful Jewish experiences.
Bnei Akiva of North America
Lower Merion Synagogue • 123 Old Lancaster Ave. • Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
484-557-2166 • lmbneiakiva@gmail.com • nebneiakiva@gmail.com
neiakiva.org Religious Zionist youth movement offering educational programs
for third through 12th grade. Three snifim:
Lower Merion — holds weekly Shabbat programs and special events
which take place in Lower Merion Synagogue, in collaboration with
Kohelet Yeshiva High School.
Northeast Philadelphia — sponsors weekly Shabbat programs and
special events which take place at B’nai Israel Ohev Zedek Synagogue.
Cherry Hill, N.J. — sponsors a Shabbat program once every three
weeks, in addition to special events. At Sons Of Israel Synagogue.
The Mitzvah Bowl
Boy Scouts of America
Cradle of Liberty Council Jewish Committee on Scouting
Mitzvah Circle Foundation
Habonim Dror Eizor Galil
info@themitzvahbowl.com • TheMitzvahBowl.com
A comprehensive website for finding mitzvah projects and volunteer
opportunities for Bar/Bat Mitzvah students and high school students looking
to fulfill community service hours. Offers resources for teens and families
seeking a way to help others and make a difference.
1561 Gehman Road • Harleysville, PA 19438
267-649-7610 • info@mitzvahcircle.org • mitzvahcircle.org
Nonprofit, not faith-based, organization providing material support to
individuals and families dealing with crisis, poverty, homelessness, and serious
illness throughout the Philadelphia region. Serving people who are unable to
obtain immediate or sufficient help from government agencies and traditional
service organizations.
1485 Valley Forge Road • Wayne, PA 19087
215-677-4147 • lenbrownstein@comcast.net • jewishscouting.org
Supporting Jewish Scouting in the five-county area (Bucks, Chester, Delaware,
Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties): Troop 185 in Elkins Park- Shomer
Shabbat; Troop 665 in Dresher - Kosher; Pack 498 in Blue Bell - Kosher.
2100 Arch St. • Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-832-0676 • RoshEizor@campgalil.org • campgalil.org
Labor Zionist youth movement for ages nine to 17. Emphasizes Jewish values
and social responsibility, with year-round activities for its members.
THE GUIDE 2018/2019
111