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 • ashemesh@jewishphilly.org • jewishphilly.org/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 automatic
grant and can apply for additional needs-based financial aid.
Volunteers for Israel
610-584-0468 • 215-646-6381 • National: 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medical supplies and equipment, repairing machinery and outdated parts, building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, 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
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 and education.
American Friends of Hebrew University
2100 Arch St., Suite 455 • Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-330-6722 • RSigman@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 high-tech cardiac center in the Middle East.
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 • Philadelphia@ats.org • ats.org/location/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 • 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
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
215-383-2890 • 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 American Council Philadelphia
45 Haverford Road • Wynnewood, PA 19096
267-515-3270 • Philadelphia@israeliamerican.org • israeliamerican.org
The mission of the Israeli-American Council (IAC) is to build an engaged and
united Israeli-American community that strengthens the Israeli and Jewish
identity of our next generation, the American Jewish community, and the bond
between the peoples of the United States and the State of Israel.
ConnecTivism program
Through interactive online sessions, students will learn about the terminology
of Israel activism, practice how to respond to tough questions, learn about the
current state of antisemitism, and the difference between productive criticism of
Israel and anti-Zionism. israeliamerican.org
THE GUIDE 2020/2021
101