Annual Report

2024

18Doors supports interfaith couples and families by providing resources and connections to engage with Jewish life in a welcoming and non-judgmental environment. They offer digital content, in-person events and fellowship opportunities for Jewish professionals and clergy to foster understanding and inclusion. Their goal is to empower individuals and families in interfaith relationships to explore Jewish traditions and choices, while also encouraging Jewish communities to embrace them. With tools for navigating Jewish holidays and lifecycle events, as well as assistance in connecting with local rabbis or cantors, 18Doors aims to strengthen the bond between interfaith families and the Jewish community.

Abrams Hebrew Academy is an independent, co-educational Community Hebrew Day School in Yardley, PA. The school embraces Jewish families from all backgrounds and emphasizes Jewish pluralism, diversity and Zionism.

BBYO Liberty Region serves over 800 teens across Eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, and parts of upstate New York, engaging 2,000 participants in various programs annually. By joining one of more than 20 local chapters, teens access community-based activities, regional conventions and large-scale international events – including immersive BBYO Summer Experiences. Members develop leadership skills, participate in community service and enjoy social and athletic programming in a supportive environment. With a focus on youth-led initiatives, BBYO Liberty Region empowers teens to positively impact their communities while fostering meaningful Jewish experiences to shape future Jewish leaders.

Birthright Israel trips have profoundly influenced a generation of Jewish young adults worldwide by linking them to Israel, Judaism and one another. This program provides an all expense paid, first-time, educational trip with peer groups to Israel for Jewish young adults, ages 18-26. Each year, funds are used to help send more Jewish young adults on these unique introductory trips to Israel.

Camp grants and need-based scholarships make transformative summer experiences accessible to every family. Camps apply directly to the Jewish Federation, and all scholarship funds are disbursed to the camps for their distribution to Philadelphia-area families.

Caskey Torah Academy is a coed, Orthodox Jewish day school for children ages 3 years through 8th grade. CTA offers a robust Jewish and secular education, as well as extra curricular offerings, emphasizing intellectual and moral development. CTA aims to provide stimulating education for Jewish students with different learning styles and academic capability in a loving environment that promotes Ahavat Torah (love of Torah), Ahavat Yisrael (love of the Jewish people), commitment to Medinat Yisrael (the state of Israel), and excellence in learning and in teaching.

Cheder Chabad of Philadelphia is a private, Orthodox Jewish day school affiliated with the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. The school strives to provide academic excellence and positive character development based in Chassidic values to students in grades Pre-K to 8th through Judaic and general studies curriculum.

The Chevra, a Hebrew word refers to a group connected through a close, common bond, is a welcoming community for young professionals and grad students. Where social engagement meets substance, The Chevra offers a unique blend of social, educational, cultural, and leadership experiences through events, classes, and trips for the modern Jewish Tribe.

Community Kashrus provides the religious infrastructure to allow for kosher food services to be widely available in the Greater Philadelphia area. They provide supervision of area stores, restaurants, and communal organizations. A new website is currently being developed and will be the central location for visitors to Philadelphia to learn about kosher options.

Diller Teens is a global initiative where teens explore leadership, Jewish identity, and tikkun olam (repairing the world), creating impactful experiences that last a lifetime. It is hosted by Kaiserman JCC.

Greater Philly Hillel Network serves over 800 Jewish students at small campuses in the greater Philadelphia area, including Bryn Mawr College, Haverford College, West Chester University, Villanova University, and St. Joseph’s University. Additionally, it runs the nationally recognized Jewish Graduate Student Network, supporting over 3,000 graduate students. Committed to providing a vibrant and inclusive Jewish community, Greater Philly Hillel Network offers diverse activities throughout the year, such as coffee meet-ups, Shabbat dinners and educational programs. Their mission is to strengthen Jewish identities by fostering community, inspiring social justice, and promoting intellectual and spiritual growth, ensuring every student has access to meaningful Jewish experiences.

Drexel Hillel, also known as the North 34th Street Foundation for Jewish Campus, offers a welcoming and inclusive community for students, embracing the idea that there is no single way to be Jewish. It provides diverse communities and a supportive environment for making friends, learning and developing leadership skills. Students can engage in various activities, including celebrating Shabbat and holidays, participating in social action projects, exploring their spirituality, traveling to Israel, and discovering their personal Jewish stories.

Hillel at Temple University is a welcoming community, engaging college students in Jewish culture through social, religious and educational programming. Hillel at Temple’s purpose is to connect with students and allow their ideas, experiences and leadership to guide and influence programming. Students have the support and mentorship of Hillel staff as they cultivate their own ways of living Jewishly and become Jewish campus leaders, passionate and excited about developing opportunities for their peers.

Founded in 1997, Kohelet Yeshiva offers a K-12 Modern Orthodox education in Philadelphia aimed at cultivating Bnei and Bnot Torah who think critically and creatively while exuding confidence and compassion. The school emphasizes Torah study, general academics and the arts, community engagement, and a strong commitment to Israel.

Philly Friendship Circle connects teens and young adults who have special needs and their families through a variety of social programs. Grounded in the Jewish value of “love your fellow as yourself,” the organization fosters genuine friendships that promote understanding, kindness and responsibility. By creating a caring and inclusive community, Philly Friendship Circle empowers its youth to cultivate meaningful relationships and support one another.

The Israeli-American Council (IAC) aims to build an engaged and united Israeli-American community that enhances the Israeli and Jewish identity of the next generation, strengthens the American Jewish community, and reinforces the bond between the United States and Israel. Since its founding, the IAC has provided a welcoming space for Israeli and American Jews to connect and celebrate their heritage. With a focus on preserving this identity, the IAC offers innovative programming, including educational activities for children and teens, cultural initiatives on college campuses and leadership training. By fostering collaboration and support, IAC inspires future generations to take pride in their connection to Israel and contribute positively to American society, all while promoting diversity and inclusivity within the community.

The Jewish Federation offers limited travel scholarships to help make the dream of an enriching trip to Israel a reality. Through the Israel Programs Scholarship Aid Fund (IPSAF), students with demonstrated financial need attending approved educational Israel programs can apply for funding to enhance their Jewish knowledge and identity. Both Jewish day school students and those from other educational backgrounds are eligible.

The Israel Engagement Micro-communities Initiative aims to bring together small groups of adults ages 25-45 who share specific themes or interests, fostering a stronger connection to Israel and Jewish life. This initiative is a collaboration among Family Management Services, Inc., Habonim Dror Camp Galil and the Kaiserman JCC.

Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy is a co-ed, pluralistic Jewish day school located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Barrack is the nation’s first pluralistic Jewish secondary day school, serving students in grades 6-12 and integrating rigorous academics with Jewish values and leadership preparation.

Jewish Learning Venture inspires and empowers individuals to make Jewish life, learning, and community relevant and meaningful. Envisioning a vibrant, connected Jewish experience for families in Greater Philadelphia and beyond, the organization focuses on empowering families raising children from birth through high school to find deeper significance in Judaism. Through innovative programs, it guides families and leaders of Jewish organizations to see Judaism as a pathway to a thriving life.

The Venture Israel Fellowship, through Jewish Learning Venture, aims to cultivate a diverse network of Jewish professionals and lay leaders dedicated to creating engaging programs that explore the complexities of Israel through the lens of Jewish identity. In a pivotal moment in modern Jewish history, this 13-month Fellowship equips participants, including educators, rabbis, and community leaders, with knowledge of Israeli culture, society, history, and politics, empowering them to facilitate meaningful conversations about Israel in their communities. A key highlight is a seven-day educational seminar in Israel, which enriches their understanding and enhances their ability to extend Jewish identity-building beyond institutional walls.

Since 1971, the Kaiserman JCC has been dedicated to enriching life in Philadelphia by fostering connections, enhancing lives, and promoting Jewish peoplehood through educational, cultural, and recreational programs. Located just west of the city, the campus serves a diverse community with activities for families, teens and older adults. Notably, they host the Diller Teen Fellows, a global initiative where teens explore leadership, Jewish identity, and tikkun olam (repairing the world), creating impactful experiences that last a lifetime.

Kosloff Torah Academy is an Orthodox Jewish Girls High School located in Bala Cynwyd, PA. KTA’s mission is to foster a love of Torah, connection to Israel, commitment to Am Yisrael (the Jewish people) while also encouraging personal growth and self discovery. KTA encourages students to  take intellectual risks and to embark on a journey of personal growth and self discovery.

Makom Community is a Jewish Lab School that creates family-centered Jewish experiences for children during after school hours. Makom cultivates fluency and comfort in Jewish tradition through joyful youth and family experience for children in Kindergarten through 7th grade. The school cares for nearly 70 children throughout the year. Through Makom’s family-centered Jewish experiences, parents – 60% of whom are not otherwise in contact with the organized Jewish community – are empowered to build a Jewish life that is meaningful for their family and are connected with others in a joyful Jewish learning environment.

The Mesivta High School of Greater Philadelphia is an Orthodox Jewish boys’ high school, educating students in grades 9-12 in Torah, Jewish law, ethics and secular disciplines.

Moishe House Philly is the vibrant hub for Jewish 20-somethings and their friends, offering a variety of monthly events both in-house, like Shabbat potlucks, and around the city, such as the Moishe Eats Series. They collaborate with local rabbis and visionaries for learning opportunities and host large holiday celebrations at local venues. Whether you prefer a cozy movie night with good food or an energetic dance party with a DJ in the kitchen, Moishe House provides a pluralistic and inclusive space for young Jews to connect and share experiences.

Moving Traditions is focused on impactful youth programs that intersect gender, wellbeing and Judaism. Partnering with hundreds of synagogues, JCCs, camps and schools while training thousands of educators and clergy to support Jewish preteens and teens, Moving Traditions strengthens Jewish educators, empowers youth and engages families. Guided by the belief that all individuals are created in the Divine image, the organization envisions a world where Judaism fosters wellbeing, equity, and justice. Moving Traditions believes that confidence, healthy connections, and a sense of purpose lead to thriving, socially responsible individuals.

NCSY Atlantic Seaboard, part of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, is dedicated to connecting, inspiring and empowering Jewish teens to embrace passionate Judaism through Torah and Tradition. As a national youth group, it fosters an environment where teens can grow into leaders and make informed choices that enhance their Jewish commitment. NCSY offers a variety of regional and local educational programs led by dedicated advisors who model a diverse and enthusiastic approach to Jewish life. Committed to providing a safe space, NCSY helps teens celebrate their heritage, develop a positive Jewish identity, acquire leadership skills and connect with role models – all enabling them to live passionately Jewish lives.

OneTable builds community through peer-led Shabbat dinners and a digital platform that makes Jewish engagement accessible, inclusive and meaningful for young adults aged 21-39. Focused on empowering this generation to find, share and enjoy Shabbat, OneTable recruits and supports volunteer hosts who post their dinner events on a custom platform, similar to Airbnb for Shabbat. With coaching, DIY tools, and financial assistance, hosts model Jewish values of hospitality and kindness, fostering lasting connections one Shabbat table at a time. Success for OneTable means a generation of Jewish young adults experiencing joy and connection through ritual and tradition.

OROT offers diverse learners in Jewish day schools a personalized support program addressing academic, social and behavioral needs, while building confidence and promoting success. They seek to provide the best possible individualized Jewish, secular and social curriculum, instruction and environment. OROT supports more than 70 students across five Jewish day schools in the Greater Philadelphia region: the Forman and Stern campuses of the Perelman Jewish Day School, Caskey Torah Academy, Politz Hebrew Academy and the Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy.

Penn Hillel is a vital part of the University of Pennsylvania experience, reaching over 85% of the 1,300 Jewish undergraduate students each year. Offering a diverse range of opportunities – from social justice and Israel advocacy to cultural activities and religious expression – Penn Hillel aims to connect with each student personally. Their focus includes fostering inclusive communities, encouraging student innovation, promoting civil discourse and supporting overall wellness. By creating opportunities for student ownership and empowerment, Penn Hillel enriches both the university and the broader Philadelphia community, helping students find a balance between being distinctly Jewish and universally human.

Penn State Hillel serves as the foundation for Jewish campus life at Pennsylvania State University, supporting approximately 5,000 Jewish students with a diverse array of social, cultural, religious and educational activities. Their mission is to enrich students’ lives so they can, in turn, enrich the Jewish community and the world. Committed to creating a pluralistic and inclusive environment, Penn State Hillel encourages students to grow intellectually, spiritually, and socially while pursuing values like tzedek (social justice) and tikkun olam (repairing the world). With a vibrant campus community, Penn State Hillel is dedicated to being a resource for every Jewish student.

Politz Yeshiva & Bais Yaakov, founded in 1982, is dedicated to providing a quality Orthodox Jewish Day School education to children in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade. We are a school rooted in the values and teachings of the Torah, committed to helping our children achieve academic standards to the best of their abilities and to prepare them for life as productive and ethical members of society.

Perelman Jewish Day School is a pluralistic, Jewish day school serving 300 students across two campuses in Wynnewood and Melrose Park. It offers a dual-language, rigorous education that fosters diverse, well-rounded, and confident individuals. Perelman is dedicated to creating an inclusive space where students, families, faculty, and staff representing a plurality of identities feel welcome, supported, and empowered to thrive.

The Shtiebel is a new, innovative spiritual community based in South Philadelphia. Launched within the last year, the Beit Midrash has consistently offered weekly online adult Jewish education on the Talmud, Tanakh, and foundations of Judaism.

Tribe 12 showcases the vibrant and quirky side of the Jewish community by connecting individuals in their 20s and 30s to Jewish life in Philadelphia. Their mission is to engage young adults so they feel inspired to remain connected in the future. Tribe 12 helps young adults find the Jewish community they are looking for, and if it doesn’t exist, Tribe 12 supports them in creating it.