Deciding which Jewish organizations and programs receive communal funding -- and how much -- has always been a difficult call. This year, volunteers and professionals described the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia's allocation process as downright "impossible."

That's because the funds -- which comes from unrestricted dollars raised from the Jewish community -- shrank from last year by 14 percent, or by $1.8 million, to $16.3 million.

How does the Philadelphia-area community's central fundraising body go about parceling out millions of dollars for local, national and international needs?

It's a question many may be wondering as this year's funding process culminated last week with a vote by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia's board of directors to approve the allocation of $16.3 million in unrestricted funds to dozens of programs. The Federation's full board of trustees also needs to give its stamp of approval, which is slated to happen at the end of this month.