ADOPTION AND CHILD WELFARE
Open Arms Adoption Network
Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia
345 Montgomery Ave • Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
1-888-OPEN-ARMS info@openarmsadoption.net • openarmsadoption.net
Helps build and support families through the Domestic Infant Open Adoption
program. Offers a broad range of services for families hoping to adopt
internationally, too. Licensed in PA, NJ, DE and NY.
Jewish Adoption and Family Care Options (JAFCO)
3 Bala Plaza, Suite 104 East• Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
610-525-1040 • Rebecca@jafco.org • familymattersnetwork.org
Provides the following services to the Greater Philadelphia community:
Family Strengthening Program
Provides free, intensive in-home case management services to at-risk
children and their families in the Philadelphia area including Delaware,
Montgomery, Bucks, Philadelphia and Chester counties and Southern
New Jersey. The goal of the program is to strengthen and empower
the family while linking them with needed services and resources.
Services include but are not limited to: supportive counseling; family
safety planning; parenting support; support for families raising a child
with special needs; support for grandparents or other relatives raising
their grandchild/relative; information and referral; advocacy in schools
or court; support with legal and custody issues; and homelessness
prevention. JAFCO’s social worker is available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week to
assist families in any emergencies.
Supervised Visitation Program
Provides scheduled, monitored visits between a child and a
non-custodial parent or family member, supervised by a qualified
professional. JAFCO provides a safe and structured environment for the
visit while working with the family to ensure that all guidelines set by the
court or referring agency are followed. JAFCO documents each visit and
submits progress reports to the court with recommendations about the
visits. COUNSELING AND CARE
MANAGEMENT Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia
Administrative office: 2100 Arch St., 5th Floor • Philadelphia, PA 19103
1-866-JFCS-NOW or 1-866-532-7669 • info@jfcsphilly.org • jfcsphilly.org
Licensed, experienced therapists counsel individuals, couples, families and
groups on a variety of personal and family issues. Counselors help clients
develop better ways of understanding and coping, and they facilitate prevention,
support and educational group programming. Care managers engage in a
variety of activities with clients to restore dignity, hope and meaning when
it seems as if life’s struggles are insurmountable. Care managers help clients
establish short- and long-term goals, and link them with the appropriate
community-based support services, such as connection to counseling services,
financial assistance, credit counseling, advocacy, local resources and entitlement
enrollment. Major programs and services include:
Individual and family services; Foster Care Services; Education and
Outreach Services; Chaplaincy and Hospice Services; LGBTQA+
Services; Infant Adoption Services (Open Arms Adoption Network);
Older Adult Services; Support for Holocaust Survivors; Support for the
Orthodox Community; Hoarding Disorder Counseling; Bereavement
Support Groups; Intimate Partner Violence Counseling Services; Family
Abuse and Elder Abuse Counseling Support.
80 THE GUIDE 2021/2022
Neighborhood Offices:
CENTER CITY OFFICE:
2100 Arch St., fifth floor • Philadelphia, PA 19103
PROGRESS PLAZA OFFICE:
1501 N. Broad. St., Suite 14 • Philadelphia, PA 19122
EASTERN MONTGOMERY OFFICE:
432 Tulpehocken Ave., Suite 2 • Elkins Park, PA 19027
NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA OFFICE:
7901 Bustleton Ave., • Berris Plaza, Suite 206 • Philadelphia, PA 19152
MAIN LINE OFFICE:
The Barbara & Harvey Brodsky Enrichment Center,
345 Montgomery Ave. • Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 • 267-314-0909
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Dinah c/o CultureWorks, 1315 Walnut St., Suite 320 • Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-645-2142 • info@dinahphilly.org • dinahphilly.org
A comprehensive legal services center providing low-cost and pro bono legal
representation to survivors of intimate partner violence in the Jewish
Community of Greater Philadelphia. By partnering with existing Jewish social
service providers, Dinah combats intimate partner violence through advocacy,
education and representation.
Domestic Violence Prevention/Intervention
Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia Berris Plaza,
7901 Bustleton Ave., Suite 206 • Philadelphia, PA 19152
1-866-JFCS-NOW or 1-866-532-7669 • jfcsphilly.org
Domestic violence prevention program with individual, group, family and
couples therapy. There is also case management, advocacy and financial
assistance for those who have been abused. Speakers on topics concerning
domestic violence issues and on the prevention of dating violence are available
to synagogues, schools and community organizations.
Rachel Hotline
Women’s Center of Montgomery County
8080 Old York Road • Elkins Park, PA 19027 • 215-635-7344 • 1-800-773-2424
wcwebmail@womenscentermc.org • wcmontco.org
A 24-hour confidential hotline for victims of abuse. Ask for “Rachel” to be
connected to a Jewish woman at this hotline. Also provides support groups,
educational and legal services, court and medical appointment accompaniment,
in-person and telephone counseling.
SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES Education
[Also see the Jewish Education chapter for the synagogue-based education
programs for children with special needs.]
Whole Community Inclusion
Jewish Learning Venture
261 Old York Road, Suite 720 • Jenkintown, PA 19046 215-320-0360
gkaplan-mayer@jewishlearningventure.org jewishlearningventure.org
Engages people with special needs, and their families, and supports their
ability to access a range of Jewish educational and religious experiences from
early childhood through the transition to adulthood. Learning opportunities
throughout the year are offered for families, educators and community
members and leaders.
OROT Program
7601 Old York Road • Melrose Park, PA 19027
215-935-0020 • info@orotkids.org • orotkids.org
Supports special needs education in Jewish day schools for children whose
needs cannot be met by a resource room. In conjunction with host day schools,
OROT personnel set policy, create and supervise programs, provide financial
support and advocate for services provided to children with special needs.
OROT seeks to provide the best possible curriculum within a supportive and
inclusive environment.
P’TACH (Parents for Torah for All Children)
718-854-8600 • info@ptach.org • ptach.org
Provides educational services for children with learning differences who require
support to maintain themselves in area Jewish day schools. Provides resource
room funding and tutorials.
Life Sharing • lifesharing@jevs.org
Offers individuals with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to live with
the support of a loving and caring family within the community and to
more fully integrate into the community. This form of adult foster care helps
individuals build relationships with new families and make new connections
and friends.
Tikvah Residence
Drexel Hill, PA 19026
tikvah@jevs.org • jevshumanservices.org/program/tikvah-residence
Offers affordable housing for adults with mental health conditions.
Residents enjoy the privacy of independent apartment living within a
supportive community. JEVS staff organizes activities and provides services
to help each resident lead an active and healthy life. All apartment units are
currently occupied.
Employment Programs
Social and Support Programs
1845 Walnut St., 7th floor • Philadelphia, PA 19103
267-298-1314 • jevshumanservices.org
KleinLife: Northeast Philadelphia • 10100 Jamison Ave. • Philadelphia, PA
215-698-7300, ext. 195 • Fax: 215-673-7447 • igulko@kleinlife.org
Offers social and educational activities, a support group and life skills classes for
visually impaired adults.
JEVS Human Services
hireAbility hireAbility@jevs.org
Offers individuals with disabilities, as well as those living with
chronic diseases, assistance in preparing for competitive employment.
Customized services include vocational assessments, career track
identification, along with job development, placement and coaching.
JEVS IT Career Readiness
tara.campbell@jevshireabilitiy.org Six-month training and career exposure program designed to help young
adults (17-24) in Philadelphia with a disability in the development of
their skills in the information technology industry, while simultaneously
practicing professionalism and workplace skills.
Project Success
projectsuccess@jevs.org Offers young adults in Atlantic County ages 16-24 with Autism
Spectrum Disorder a transition to employment. A comprehensive
approach supports these young adults through all phases, including
development of socialization, one-on-one job development, job place-
ment and personal-interaction skills.
Housing JEVS Human Services
9350 Ashton Road, Suite 201 • Philadelphia, PA 19114
267-350-8600 • clhs@jevs.org • jevshumanservices.org
Community Homes • clhs@jevs.org
Offers individuals with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to live with
independence and dignity. Staff provides specialized 24-hour support for
one to three individuals per residence. The Community Homes promote
each individual’s interests and abilities, with an emphasis on community
involvement, stability and maintaining important ties to family and loved
ones. Homes are located in the Mount Airy, the Northeast and Frankford
sections of Philadelphia and in Montgomery County.
Associated Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Chai Lifeline
732-719-1700 • Fax: 732-886-0065 • nj@chailifeline.org • chailifeline.org/nj
Provides services for people with serious medical illnesses and chronic
genetic diseases and their families in the Greater Philadelphia area. Maintains
a network of psychosocial support programs including medical referrals,
insurance support services, emotional support groups, homebound tutorial
programs, special trips and holiday festivities, toys and family retreats. Offers a
summer camping program called Camp Simcha and Camp Simcha Special. The
program offers a daily shuttle service from New Jersey locations to Children’s
Hospital of Philadelphia and accommodations at Chai House, an apartment
located near the hospital. The newest addition is a fully stocked kosher pantry
in the hospital.
Friendship Circle Philadelphia Region
South office: PO Box 25067 • Philadelphia, PA 19147
215-574-1765 • info@phillyfriendship.com • phillyfriendship.com
North office: 25 N. State St. • Newtown, PA 18940
215-497-9925, ext. 17 • Fax: 215-497-9929 • jamie@fcpa.info • fcpa.in
Connects teens and young adults to youth with special needs and their
families, by offering Jewish and social experiences; developing friendships
while participating in creative arts group activities, Jewish holiday celebrations,
weekly playdates and more. Fosters the development of a caring, supportive
community. South office serves Philadelphia, Montgomery, Chester and Delaware
counties. North office serves Bucks County, Huntingdon Valley and Northeast
Philadelphia. Hebrew Association of the Deaf
Rose Olanoff Community Center • 8027 Castor Ave. • Philadelphia, PA 19152
610-604-0450 • info@dhcc.org
Offers social and recreational programs for the deaf and the hard of hearing,
including religious observances, Shabbat and High Holiday services.
Community Residential Rehabilitation Services
communityresidentialservices@jevs.org Offers individuals diagnosed with a mental health disorder a home and
trained staff focused on helping them become more self-sufficient and
prepared for independence and everyday life in the community. Residents
agree on goals annually and receive the assistance to meet these goals. It is
the mission of this program to graduate residents to a more independent
living situation.
THE GUIDE 2021/2022
81