Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
American Friends of Magen David Adom
MASA Israel Journey
American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)
Travel With Purpose (Missions) 2100 Arch St. • Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-832-0629 • mstein@jewishphilly.org • jewishphilly.org/get-involved/missions
Sponsors missions to Israel for singles, couples and families. Provides fast-
paced, intense educational experiences for veteran travelers, as well as for
first-time visitors to Israel.
1-866-864-3279 • masainfo@masaisrael.org • masaisrael.org
Connects Jewish young adults, ages 18 to 30, to programs across various inter-
est areas including: five- to 10-month gap year, study abroad, internship and
volunteer experiences in Israel. All Masa Israel participants receive an auto-
matic grant and can apply for additional needs-based financial aid.
Volunteers for Israel
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packing medical supplies and equipment, repairing machinery and outdated parts,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. There is also a new program that
subsidizes groups of 10-12 students who volunteer on VFI programs through their
campus Hillel. During the work week, 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, nonsectar-
ian, 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
1600 Market St., Suite 1820 • 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.
Advocacy priorities include: combating global anti-Semitism; promoting
Israel’s place in the world; combating BDS and countering the spread of
radicalism and extremism.
American Associates, Ben-Gurion University
of the Negev
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 has the mandate
to lead development of the Negev in the fields of industry, agriculture, science,
culture, & education.
American Friends of Hebrew University
2100 Arch St., Suite 455 • Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-330-6722 • MLoebl@afhu.org • afhu.org
A national nonprofit organization dedicated to raising support for, and
awareness of, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The Hebrew University
is a multicultural and pluralistic institution devoted to innovation and
achievement across seven academic faculties.
American Friends of the Kaplan Medical Center
152 Bateman Road • Langhorne PA 19047
215-932-2974 • lbalcher@afkmc.org • afkmc.org
National headquarters for fundraising support for one of Israel’s major
general hospitals, serving Israelis in Rehovot. The center is working to build
the largest Hi-Tech Cardiac Center in the Middle E..
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.
2100 Arch St., fifth 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 initiatives from
securing foreign aid for Israel to stopping Iran’s nuclear program.
American Technion Society-Philadelphia Chapter
Four Tower Bridge • 200 Barr Harbor Drive, 400
West Conshohocken, PA 19428
610-940-3800 • Fax: 610-940-3880
Philadelphia@ats.org • ats.org/offices/philadelphia
Supports the Technion Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel’s oldest
scientific and technical university.
AMIT-Mid-Atlantic Regional Office
410-484-2223 or 1-800-989-AMIT
AMITMidAtlantic@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. • Philadelphia, PA 19102
215-568-2223 • Fax: 215-568-5526 • philadelphia@adl.org • philadelphia.adl.org
Fighting Hate For Good. 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
disadvantaged youth, ages 12 to 20, an intensive multi-disciplinary curriculum
emphasizing technology, academics and religious studies.
Friends of the Israel Defense Force (FIDF)
Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey Chapter
500 Office Center Drive, Suite 400 • Fort Washington, PA 19034
215-783-4718 • Philadelphia@fidf.org
fidf.org/pennsylvania-southern-new-jersey-chapter 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.
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
The funds raised go toward providing guide dogs for visually impaired Israelis
and for dogs that also help soldiers with PTSD, children with autism, and
others with special needs.
J Street Philadelphia
Philadelphia@JStreet.org • facebook.com/jstreetphilly
Advocates for American diplomatic leadership to achieve a two-state solution,
and advocates for a broad debate on Israel and the Middle E. in the Greater
Philadelphia Jewish community.
THE GUIDE 2019/2020
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