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packing medical supplies and equipment, repairing machinery and outdated parts,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
125
Jewish National Fund (JNF)
1-800-JNF-0099 or 1-800-542-8733 • 215-832-0690 • 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 roads; and
educated students around the world about Israel and the environment. JNF is
restoring northern Israel and developing the Negev Desert.
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)
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
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 — Greater Philadelphia
ZOA P. O. Box 56 • Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
610-660-9466 • office@zoaphilly.org • philly.ZOA.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.
JEWISH CULTURE
Jewish cultural life in Philadelphia is reflected in a rich and diverse range of
activities, including a Jewish film festival, concerts, exhibits, lectures and
workshops. The most current and comprehensive listings of Jewish-related
events are found online at JewishExponent.com.
NEWSPAPERS Jewish Exponent
2100 Arch St., fourth floor • Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-832-0700 • Fax: 215-832-0785
letters@jewishexponent.com • jewishexponent.com
Weekly newspaper and online venue covering local, national and international
news of Jewish interest. Detailed information on regional activities, including
Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia events. Other highlights include a
community calendar; Torah portion, society page; lifecycle events, health, food,
culture, The Guide to Jewish Philadelphia and special-interest supplements.
MAGAZINES Jewish Quarterly Review
Herbert D. Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies
at the University of Pennsylvania • 420 Walnut St. • Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-746-1290 • Fax: 215-238-1540
BonnieB@sas.upenn.edu • JQR.pennpress.org
Scholarly journal of the Herbert D. Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies
of the University of Pennsylvania.
ONLINE Jewish Exponent
news@jewishexponent.com • jewishexponent.com
Online site for everything Jewish in Philadelphia. Find news, features and blogs;
an interactive calendar; and complete listings and resource guides for the local
Jewish scene.
HomeIs.com and the HomeIs app
contact@homeis.com • homeis.com/il-phl/feed
A cultural network for local foreign-born communities. HomeIs.com gives
foreign-born communities, in particular the Israeli community, a dedicated
comprehensive product that helps them to digitally connect, share their
culture, and their local knowledge. HomeIs shows how supportive these
communities can be, and how effective their common wisdom can be to
their members.
Urban Glance
Hebrew Language Blog
Ofra.palmer@gmail.com • urbanglanceblog.wordpress.com
Explores and talks about urbanism: urban structures and city life, people,
organizations and businesses, culture, environment issues, social solidarity,
social change, and much more.
PUBLISHERS Jewish Publishing Group
2100 Arch St. • Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-832-0700 • Fax: 215-832-0786 • jewishexponent.com
Publishers of the Jewish Exponent, The Guide to Jewish Greater Philadelphia,
jewishexponent.com (website), and special-interest supplements celebrating
Jewish life, culture and families.
The Jewish Publication Society (JPS)
customerservice@longleafservices.org • jps.org
Oldest English-language publisher of Judaica in the world. Publishes the
TANAKH: The Holy Scriptures, as well as other books of Jewish interest,
including Bible studies and commentaries, and history. To order JPS books,
contact Longleaf Services at 1-800-848-6225.
126 THE GUIDE 2019/2020