Jewish Federation
of Greater Philadelphia*
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.

MASA Israel Journey
1-866-864-3279 masainfo@masaisrael.org
masaisrael.org Support and Advocacy
American Jewish Committee (AJC)
Philadelphia/Southern NJ
1600 Market St., Suite 1820
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-665-2300 AJC.org
Regional Director: Marcia Bronstein
philadelphia@ajc.org Connects Jewish young adults, ages 18
to 30, to programs across various interest
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.

AJC’s mission is to enhance the well-being
of the Jewish people and Israel, and to
advance human rights and democratic
values in the United States and around
the world.

Volunteers for Israel
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
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 non-combat
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repairing machinery and outdated parts,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.

American Associates,
Ben-Gurion University
of the Negev
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
P.O. Box 2147
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 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 East.

Americans for Ben-Gurion
University 261 Old York Rd Suite 701
Jenkintown, PA 19046
AmericansforBGU.org Philanthropic Relationship Officer:
Claire Winick
Claire@americansforBGU.org COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Travel With Purpose (Missions)
2001 Market St., Suite 2300
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-832-0629 ashemesh@jewishphilly.org
jewishphilly.org/missions 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.

A4BGU raises funds and friends for
Ben-Gurion University, Israel’s youngest
and most dynamic research and
higher education institution, charged
by government mandate to develop
the Negev.

American Friends of
Magen David Adom
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.

American Israel Public Affairs
Committee (AIPAC)
2001 Market St., Suite 2300
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.

2022-2023 Philadelphia Guide to Jewish Life
61