West Laurel Hill



Dear Friends,
We hope this finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy.

In February, we kicked off our 2020 Annual Campaign with
another successful Super Sunday. Yet, less than a month later
amid the COVID-19 Pandemic, we were tasked with establishing
an Emergency Response Fund to provide for so many in our
community who suddenly found themselves in need.

For more than 100 years, the Jewish Federation has provided
an infrastructure of support for the Jewish community in Philadelphia, Israel and around the world.

As the leading funder of Jewish services in Greater Philadelphia, and among the top funders of philanthropic
organizations serving all of Greater Philadelphia, we mobilized quickly to respond to COVID-19: raising millions
of dollars and immediately making grants that have helped over 280,000 individuals in Philadelphia and in Israel.

We created a Congregational Rabbinic Discretionary Fund to provide aid to synagogue members, raised funds
for Jewish summer camps, established a fund for Jewish preschools to cover additional expenses as they prepare to
reopen, supplied nutritious meals and personal protective equipment, as well as supporting mental and physical
health needs.

Given the unique needs of our partners in addressing COVID-19, Jewish Community Fund dollars are being
released as general operating grants in lieu of program grants to allow our partners flexibility in planning and to
support each agency’s greatest demands.

As our Jewish community’s convener, we connect Jewish people of all generations, backgrounds and circumstances
to the resources they need, to meaningful experiences, and to one another. We host virtual updates for professional
and lay leaders to share information and best practices, as well as virtual social gatherings to decrease social
isolation and bring family and friends together.

These past months have proven what we already know to be true: our Jewish community is resilient and we
take care of one another. Thanks to your generosity, we support organizations and programs that serve vulnerable
populations, inspire community engagement and support Jewish life and learning every year. This programming
directly affects the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and is something that all in our communities have
come to expect — because the Jewish Federation is here, and will be here, for all who are in need.

COVER ART: GREENS87 / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS
We are so grateful for your continued support, and as we embark on the beginning of our tenure of Co-Board
Chairs, we look forward to continuing this important work and meeting whatever new challenges may come our
way. Please visit jewishphilly.org/donate or call 215.832.0865 to help us meet those challenges head on.

From our families to yours, we wish you a happy and healthy 5781.

David Adelman and Gail Norry
Co-Board Chairs, Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
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THE GUIDE 2020/2021
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