Center for New Americans
2770 Red Lion Road • Philadelphia, PA 19114
215-728-4210 • Fax: 215-728-4227 • cna@jevs.org
Offers refugees, asylees and victims of trafficking free services in the fol-
lowing areas: employment counseling, job development and job place-
ment, job search and job retention workshops, Vocational English Lan-
guage Training (VELT) and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes,
computer skills classes, acculturation workshops, case management, and
individualized assistance in developing and improving verbal language
skills. Use of a driving simulator is also offered. Participants are served in
Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.
helpinghands Program
2100 Arch St. • Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-854-1874 • Fax: 215-832-0701 • cs@jevs.org
Provides free career counseling services, vocational assessment and
job-search assistance for eligible unemployed or under-employed
Jewish adults in the Greater Philadelphia area (under 65 years of age),
who are facing financial hardship and are in need of improving and
increasing their work skills.
hireAbility 441 N. Fifth St., second floor • Philadelphia, PA 19114
215-341-5626 • hireability@jevs.org
Offers individuals with intellectual, mental health, physical or learning
disabilities — as well as those living with chronic diseases — assistance
in preparing for, finding and keeping competitive employment. Custom-
ized services include vocational assessments, career track identification,
as well as job development, placement and coaching.
Orleans Technical College
2770 Red Lion Road • Philadelphia, PA 19114 • 215-728-4700
info@orlieanstech.edu • OrleansTech.edu
Offers career training and job search assistance in building trades
and health care. High school diploma/GED and valid driver’s license
required. Financial aid available for those who qualify.
Project Success
441 N. Fifth St., second floor • Philadelphia, PA 19114
215-728-4452 • projectsuccess@jevs.org • jevshumanservices.org
Offers young adults with Asperger’s syndrome or Pervasive Develop-
ment Disorder (PDD) skills to transition to employment. A compre-
hensive approach supports these young adults through all phases of
employment, including the development of socialization skills, one-
on-one job development, job placement and job readiness.
Vocational Research Institute (VRI)
1845 Walnut St., Suite 660 • Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-875-7387 or 1-800-874-5387 • Fax: 215-875-0198 • vri.org
Develops and markets career assessment tools, including CareerScope®.
Working for Success
2100 Arch St. • Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-854-1874 • Fax: 215-832-0701 • cs@jevs.org
Jewish women under the age of 65, who are unemployed or under‐
employed, may qualify for this no-cost program to receive assistance
finding employment through one‐on‐one vocational counseling,
assessment, workshops and job search assistance. Inquire about financial
eligibility.
JEWISH EDUCATION
The Greater Philadelphia area offers a wide variety of formal and informal
Jewish educational experiences for Jews of all ages and levels — from toddlers
to senior citizens and from vocational learners to graduate students. There are
Jewish nursery-school programs in many synagogues; Jewish day schools,
Jewish high schools, supplementary schools, many synagogue-based Sunday
and afternoon schools, a college of Jewish studies, a rabbinical college, etc.
Jewish Federation’s Mandell Education Campus, a 28-acre site in Melrose Park,
is home to the Forman Center of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman Jewish Day
School, Gratz College, a branch of Federation Early Learning Services, as well
as Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Philadelphia. The 35-acre Jewish
Federation Radnor Campus in Delaware County houses the Jack M. Barrack
Hebrew Academy. It accommodates a wide variety of educational and pro-
gramming activities. There are also opportunities for Jewish education at many
of the area’s colleges. Area synagogues and communal schools have educational
programs for people of all ages.
EARLY-CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Early child care and education in the Jewish community are available through
Federation Early Learning Services. Other programs are under the auspices of
synagogues or located in synagogues (operated by private owners) and in
Jewish community centers.
Federation Early Learning Services
Myer and Rosaline Feinstein Campus
10700 Jamison Ave. • Philadelphia, PA 19116
215-676-7550 • Fax: 215-676-9498
info@FelsKids.org • FELSKids.org
Provides state-licensed, NAEYC accredited and Keystone Stars top ranking
early childhood centers for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergartners and
elementary school children in seven centers and two public school locations
throughout the Delaware Valley. FELS’ programs have received the highest
attainable ratings by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Typically,
enrollment is full-time, though part-week enrollment is available at some
locations. Jewish programming is an integral part of the curriculum. Parents
are viewed as partners and are encouraged to become actively involved in
their child’s education. Parent associations organize educational, social and
fundraising activities for the entire family. Financial assistance available; state
subsidy accepted.
Gutman Early Learning Center
7500 West Ave. • Melrose Park, PA 19027
215-635-5570, ext. 125 • Fax: 215-635-8155
Gutman@FelsKids.org A nationally (NAEYC) accredited, Keystone Star 4 Center, and state-
licensed program providing early childhood education for infants,
toddlers, preschoolers and children transitioning to kindergarten. The
program features specialists including a Hebrew enrichment program,
sign language, creative movement and music, etc. A summer camp with
an in-ground pool and many specialists is open to the community.
Gan Simcha Program - Torah U’Mitzvos
For children 3 and 4 years old. A joint venture of Federation Early
Learning Services and the Politz Hebrew Academy. Provides an
Orthodox education and observes Orthodox dietary laws. Morah
Debbie Ungar designed the Judaic classroom which also features
special programming such as Kidnetics, sign language, music, several
playgrounds, an in-ground swimming pool, etc. FRUM-degreed
Lakewood teachers prepare children for enrollment in Orthodox day
schools. THE GUIDE 2018/2019
89
Kehillah Early Learning Center
Congregation Ohev Shalom • 2 Chester Road • Wallingford, PA
610-872-0400 • Fax: 215-872-0557 • Kehillah@FelsKids.org
A nationally (NAEYC) accredited, state-licensed program providing early
childhood education for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergart-
eners offering more days than most other schools in Jewish environments.
Activities include Israeli dance, gymnastics, sign language lessons, music
and Hebrew, etc. Participates in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s
Keystone Stars Quality Initiative Program. A summer camp with many
specialists is open to the community.
Kol Ami Early Learning Center
8201 High School Road • Elkins Park, PA 19027
215-635-4180 • Fax: 215-635-4186 • KolAmi@FELSKids.org
A joint program with Congregation Kol Ami providing early-childhood
education programs to toddlers and preschoolers in a small group setting
offering more days than most other schools in Jewish environments.
A secular curriculum is complemented by a Jewish curriculum integrating
the synagogue’s rabbi, cantor and a Hebrew specialist. Fitness, sign
language and special events enrich the year-round camp program.
K’tonton Early Learning Center
Congregation Beth El-Ner Tamid
715 Paxon Hollow Road • Broomall, PA 19003
610-325-4831 • Fax: 610-356-8091 • Ktonton@FelsKids.org
A joint program of Federation Early Learning Center and Congregation
Beth El-Ner Tamid that is nationally (NAEYC) accredited and state-licensed
providing early childhood education for infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
The center earned a four-star rating through the Commonwealth of Penn-
sylvania’s Keystone Stars Quality Initiative Program. Provides part week or
full-time options for most ages and more days than most other schools in
Jewish environments. Offers specialists, including Hebrew enrichment, soc-
cer, kinetics, etc. A summer camp program open to the community includes
sports, trips, water play, specialists in Israeli dance, yoga, music, etc.
Lassin Early Learning Center
Myer and Rosaline Feinstein Campus
10800 Jamison Ave. • Philadelphia, PA 19116
215-677-7191 • Fax: 215-969-3502 • Lassin@FelsKids.org
A nationally (NAEYC) accredited, state-licensed program providing
early childhood education for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-
age children. Achieved a four-star rating through the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania’s Keystone Stars Quality Initiative Program. A summer
camp with water play and specialists is open to the community.
Lokoff Early Learning Center
Abramson Early Childhood Education Community
TBI Synagogue • 1920 Skippack Pike • Blue Bell, PA 19422
215-643-0110 • Fax: 215-643-3286 • Lokoff@FelsKids.org
A state-licensed program providing early childhood education for
infants, toddlers, preschoolers and children transitioning to kindergar-
ten offering more days than most other schools in Jewish environments.
Several playgrounds including one dedicated to nature and a bike path;
nutritious snacks and many enrichment specialists (e.g. Hebrew, sports,
soccer, music, etc.). A summer camp with instructional and recreational
swim, along with many specialists, is open to the community.
Paley Early Learning Center
2199 Strahle St. • Philadelphia, PA 19152
215-725-8930 • Fax: 215-742-2349 • Paley@FelsKids.org
A nationally (NAEYC) accredited, state-licensed program providing
early care and education for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and kinder-
garten-aged children. Also offers an after school program for children
ages 6 through 11 years old. This center has achieved a four-star rating
through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Keystone Stars Quality
Initiative Program. Offers specialists including sign language, creative
movement, music, computers and more. A summer-camp program with
an Olympic-size pool, swim instruction and specialists is open to the
community. 90
THE GUIDE 2018/2019
OTHER EARLY CHILDHOOD
EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Chabad/Lubavitch Centers
Many local Chabad/Lubavitch Centers have Early Childhood Education
programs. Please find a list of Chabad/Lubavitch Centers on page 101.
Robert J. Wilf Preschool and Kindergarten
at the Kaiserman JCC
45 Haverford Road • Wynnewood, PA 19096 • 610-896-7770, x118
phillyjcc.com EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
Education and Outreach Services
Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia
1501 N. Broad St., Suite 14 • Philadelphia, PA 19122
and: The Barbara & Harvey Brodsky Enrichment Center
345 Montgomery Ave. • Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 • 267-314-0909
1-866-JFCS-NOW • info@jfcsphilly.org • jfcsphilly.org
Initiates research-based programs in collaboration with public and private
schools, Jewish day schools, synagogues and other community organizations.
Develops educational programs to help young people to handle the age specific
challenges of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, bullying, violence and sexual
behavior, gambling prevention, substance abuse prevention, violence preven-
tion, suicide prevention, antibullying and building a healthy body image. JFCS
also conducts workshops for parents, teachers and other professionals.
Families Outside the Box
610-930-8778 • AyalaBCTVI@yahoo.com
Parent-run support for families in the Philadelphia area who would have
children with needs that are not currently met in the day school setting, so
are enrolled elsewhere, or are homeschooled. Provides parent-to-parent
connections, periodic e-mails, a resource list of Jewish activities appropriate
to day school families, a resource list of local Judaic tutors familiar with the
day school curriculum, and cohort development.
Gratz Advance Programs of Gratz College
7605 Old York Road • Melrose Park, PA 19027
215-635-7300, ext. 135 • gratzadvance@gratz.edu • gratz.edu/gratzadvance
Offers local and national programs and services associated with Jewish
supplementary school education.
NEXT: New EXcellent Teacher Training • gratz.edu/NEXT
Professional Learning Program for Supplementary School Teachers.
• Mentorships provide free individualized support to area teachers
• Free online courses for supplementary school teachers
• “Taste of NEXT” provides some free in-person professional learning
opportunities for teachers at area synagogues.
Gratz Academy • gratz.edu/gratzacademy
Offers college credit opportunities to teens at the location of existing
high school programs and online.
JSASIP: Jewish School Assessment School Improvement Process
Tool for supplementary schools to assess their effectiveness. Offered in
Greater Philadelphia in collaboration with Jewish Learning Venture.