The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is committed to providing essential resources to the entire community during the international crisis caused by the COVID-19 Coronavirus. We are coordinating with all Jewish-affiliated organizations, schools, synagogues and agencies in the region to assess and address emerging needs. This page will be kept updated with resources and important information.
Donate today to help us serve the most vulnerable among us. Your support is already making its way back into our communities. Read about the COVID-19 relief grants made so far by our Emergency Response Committee here.
Navigating This Page:
Donate Now: Emergency Fund
Updates From Our Board Chair
Given that this is a public health crisis, our most important sources of information are:
If you or anyone in your community has a medical concern related to COVID-19, please call 1-800-722-7112; this is a 24/7 and free helpline staffed by medical professionals.
Philadelphia City Resources:
- Philadelphia COVID-19 website
- Philadelphia’s Text Update Service: Text COVIDPHL to 888-777
to enroll for factual and timely updates from the City of Philadelphia
Pennsylvania State Resources & Directives:
Faith & Communal Leaders
- JFNA’s COVID-19 Resource Page includes resources for institutions.
- JFNA also prepared this document to provide guidance to the Jewish professional community on managing through COVID-19.
- This document from the Department of Health and Human Services lists best practices for faith-based and community leaders.
See volunteer opportunities
Note: Exercise caution and follow CDC guidelines if you choose to volunteer. Virtual volunteer options are also available below.
Mitzvah Food Program
Deliver pre-packed bags of food and emergency supplies. Drivers are needed from the Mitzvah Food Pantry sites in Center City, Main Line and Northeast Philadelphia. Someone will be in touch to schedule your exact pickup time. Sign up to volunteer here. Deliveries generally take less than two hours.
KleinLife
KleinLife Home Delivered Meals program is an essential need for 700 homebound seniors. To help deliver these pre-cooked meals, contact John Eskate, jeskate@kleinlife.org, to coordinate a specific time each Tuesday to pick up and deliver. In the loading dock you will be given gloves, meals packed in freezer bags, and a delivery route. After delivery, emptied freezer bags should be returned to Kleinlife. To volunteer, please contact John Eskate at jeskate@kleinlife.org.
Jewish Relief Agency
Deliver pre-packed boxes of food and emergency supplies to individuals across the region. Visit the JRA website to RSVP for a specific time and sign up for a route.
Volunteer Virtually with the Jewish Federation
Can you make regular friendly phone calls to check in with a local senior citizen in our Jewish community? Fill out the form to be matched with an isolated community member. This service may expand to include the option of helping a senior order groceries online.
South Philly Shtiebel WhatsApp
Support fellow South Philly residents with logistical or errand support by joining the Shtiebel Support WhatsApp Group.
Keneseth Israel
Fundraiser for families in Cheltenham
Read more on our blog.
See all resources for older adults
Comcast
Providing internet to anyone who needs it during this time, who does not already have service.
South Philly Shtiebel WhatsApp
In South Philly and need help with errands or logistical support? Join the Shtiebel Support WhatsApp Group.
JCC
All JCC classes, including entertainment, education, and fitness, are free to stream online.
JFCS
Mental healh, self-care and financial resources
See all resources for food insecure
Emergency Food Assistance
Instructions and guidelines from the PA State Government
Free Kosher Food
Congregation Beth Solomon’s Food Program will provide free kosher nutritious meals and snacks for all children under the age of 18 from all schools. Sites have been set up throughout Greater Philadelphia and parents will be able to safely pick up Grab-and-Go lunches and snacks for children, regardless of the school they attend or family income.
Times/Locations:
- Politz Hebew Academy (9225 Old Bustleton Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19115): 9:30-11
- Congregation Beth Solomon (198 Tomlinson Road, Philadelphia, PA 19116): 11:30-1:30
- Young Israel of Elkins Park (7715 Montgomery Ave, Elkins Park, PA 19027): 12 PM-12:45
- Bensalem (2446 Bristol Rd, Bensalem, PA 19020): 10-10:30 AM, please fill out this survey beforehand.
- Kosloff Torah Academy (50 Montgomery Ave, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004): 12:15-2:00
Hebrew Free Loan Society
Borrow up to $2000 with no interest charges and no fees
Keneseth Israel
Fundraiser for families in Cheltenham
Mitzvah Food Program
Visit our website for hours of operations at our 5 locations. Those who need food should go to the pantry located closest to them during those hours of operation to receive a pre-packed food bag. You will be required to provide some basic information. Some locations have language assistance available.
See all resources for work dislocations
Unemployment Compensation
Please review the PA Unemployment Compensation website if you think you may qualify for benefits to cover lost work hours and lost pay due to COVID-19.
JEVS
JEVS Career Strategies and the helping hands program staff are available to work with current career counseling clients via telephone appointments or Zoom video conference.
New clients continue to be scheduled as usual, though only for telephone or video conference appointments. To schedule appointments, call your career counselor directly or call (215) 832-0878 Monday-Friday.
JEVS Webinars For Job Seekers
Series of free webinars on how to look for a job during the pandemic and action steps you can take if laid off or furloughed. Offered regularly, check the full calendar at the link above.
Hebrew Free Loan Society
Borrow up to $2000 with no interest charges and no fees
Virtual Meeting Etiquette 101
Now that we’re all suddenly working, studying and socializing from home, virtual meetings on platforms like Zoom, Google Hangout and Google Meet are the new normal.
See all mental health resources
See all offerings from local synagogues
5 Ways to Celebrate Shabbat During COVID-19
Here are some options for you to distinguish our sanctified day and join in community, even while in solitude.
BZBI
Rodeph Shalom in Center City
Full listing of events on calendar
Adath Jeshurun in Elkins Park:
Beth-El in Yardley
Has a variety of virtual programming
Beth Sholom Congregation in Elkins Park
Links for all classes, services and offerings that are not Livestreamed can be found at this link.
- Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
8:30 am: Coffee and Conversation with Rabbis Glanzberg-Krainin or Merow via Zoom.
- Tuesdays and Thursdays
7:30 am: Morning Minyan via Zoom
- Erev Shabbat/Fridays
6:00 7:00 pm: Kabbalat Shabbat Service via Live Stream
- Shabbat/Saturdays
10:00 – 11:30 am: Shabbat Morning Service via Live Stream
- Sundays
9:00 am: Morning Minyan via Zoom
- Hebrew classes @ Beth Sholom with Selma Roffman
Mondays
11:30 am: Intermediate Hebrew via Zoom
4:00 pm: Hebrew Conversation via Zoom
Tuesdays
4:00 pm: Beginner Hebrew via Zoom
Temple Sholom in Broomall
Links for all classes, services and offerings that are NOT Livestreamed can be found at this link.
Hadar
Adult Mishnah Club, Monday – Friday, 1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Congregation Beth Israel of Media
Digital resources ranging from morning spiritual practice to weekly Mussar study to young family Shabbat gatherings and more.
Congregation Keneseth Israel in Elkins Park
Erev Shabbat/Fridays
8:00 -10 PM Shabbat services
Adath Israel on the Main Line
- Daily minyan, Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.; Sunday 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Har Zion Temple on the Main Line
Full listing of prayer services, adult ed opportunities and other remote offerings are being updated regularly at the above link.
South Philly Shtiebel
Young Israel of Elkins Park
Call 425-436-6378; pin # 552252
- Mishna Berurah Yomis shiur, daily at 5 p.m.
- Women’s halacha shiur on Tuesdays at 8:15 p.m.
Beth El of Bucks County
All services and other offerings can be accessed via this link.
- Erev Shabbat/Fridays
7:00 AM Shacharit
6:00 PM Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv
- Shabbat/Saturdays
9:30 AM
- Sunday
8:00 AM Shacharit
- Mondays-Thursdays
7:00 AM Shacharit; 7:30pm Ma’ariv
- Tuesdays
7:45 – 8:15 PM Check-in with Rabbi Weiss
- Fridays
12:30 – 1:00 PM Check-in with Rabbi Weiss
Germantown Jewish Center in West Mt. Airy
All services and other offerings can be accessed via this link.
- Erev Shabbat/Fridays
7:15 AM Shacharit
9:30 AM Early Childhood Program Shabbat
6:00 PM Kabbalat Shabbat and Kol Zimrah (every 3rd Friday)
- Shabbat/Saturdays
10:00 AM with Rabbi Zeff
10:00 AM Dorshei Derekh minyan
- Sunday
9:00 AM Shacharit
11:00 AM Coffee and Conversation with Rabbi Zeff
- Mondays-Thursdays
7:15 AM Shacharit
- Mondays
8:30 AM Virtual Art Beit Midrash with Rabbi Richman
8:00 PM Parent and Caregiver Support Group with Rabbi Richman
- Tuesdays
9:00 AM Meditation Group with Rabbi Malkah Binah Klein and Rabbi Sheila Weinberg
12:00 PM Lunchtime Torah with Rabbi Zeff
- Wednesdays
2:00 PM Healing Minha Service with Rabbi Richman
7:00 PM Midrash & Conversation with Rabbi Zeff/li>
- Thursdays
8:30 AM Virtual Art Beit Midrash with Rabbi Richman
Temple Judea in Bucks County
Erev Shabbat/Fridays
5:00 PM Service for young families via Facebook live
7:00 PM Service for all others via Facebook live
Congregation Brothers of Israel of Bucks County
All Zoom links for services and other offerings can be accessed via this link
- Erev Shabbat/Fridays
11:00 AM Torah Study (Weekly portion)
6:15 PM Kabbalat Shabbat
- Tuesdays
11:30 am Ask Rabbi a Question
- Wednesdays
11:00 am Talmud class
Makom Kadosh, the Jewish Fellowship of Chester County
Tuesdays
7:00 p.m. Torah Study via Zoom
Beth Am Israel in Penn Valley
Beth Am is offering an abundance of minyanim (prayer services, text and Torah study, informal conversations, mediations and kids’ programs seven days a week. Click here for the full schedule.
Beth Or in Maple Glen
Erev Shabbat/Fridays
7:30 PM – Kabbalat Shabbat or Shabbat Songs, Blessings AND Mourner’s Kaddish Facebook Live
Shabbat/Saturdays
9:30 AM – Torah Study with Rabbi Marx – Zoom
Society Hill Synagogue in Center City
Erev Shabbat/Fridays
6:00- 6:15 PM Shabbat candle lighting service
Shabbat/Saturdays
10:00- 11:30 AM Services and Torah Study
Weekday services
7:30 – 8:00 PM Maariv (Evening) Service via Zoom
Weekday Jewish text study
12:00-12:45 PM Mondays & Thursdays via Zoom
Shaare Shamayim in Northeast Philadelphia
Full schedule of classes and minyanim
Main Line Reform Temple
Every day of the week, MLRT is hosting classes, koffe klatches, happy hous and of course Torah study and services.
See family-friendly resources from our partner organizations
Free Kosher Food
Congregation Beth Solomon’s Food Program will provide free kosher nutritious meals and snacks for all children under the age of 18 from all schools. Sites have been set up throughout Greater Philadelphia and parents will be able to safely pick up Grab-and-Go lunches and snacks for children, regardless of the school they attend or family income.
Times/Locations:
- Politz Hebew Academy (9225 Old Bustleton Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19115): 9:30-11
- Congregation Beth Solomon (198 Tomlinson Road, Philadelphia, PA 19116): 11:30-1:30
- Young Israel of Elkins Park (7715 Montgomery Ave, Elkins Park, PA 19027): 12 PM-12:45
- Bensalem (2446 Bristol Rd, Bensalem, PA 19020): 10-10:30 AM, please fill out this survey beforehand.
- Kosloff Torah Academy (50 Montgomery Ave, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004): 12:15-2:00
Quarantine Tips for Kids, From Israeli Kids Who Know
A few young shelter-at-home experts from Kibbutz Alumim decided to film advice and reassurance for our kids during COVID-19.
Comcast
Providing internet to anyone who needs it during this time, who does not already have service.
PJ Library
PJ Library has free children’s e-books, audio content, activities, and more.
How To Talk To Your Kids About Scary Situations
Explainer from PJ Library with tips and advice from child psychologists and other experts.
BBYO
BBYO has created a streaming service to offer teen experiences and to support teen educators through the crisis.
JKidPhilly
JKidPhilly is hosting stoytime via Facebook Live every day at 10 a.m.
Moving Traditions
Moving Traditions has a variety of resources on their site, including a prayer for children whose b’nai mitzvah celebrations have been cancelled and resources for teen groups.
BZBI
BZBI is offering programming for parents and children. View their full calendar of events here.
Ramah Poconos
Ramah is hosting Zoom activities and a daily minyan.
JCC
All JCC classes, including entertainment, education, and fitness, are free to stream online.
Israeli American Council (IAC)
Keshet (kids 4-9) activities. Click here for full list.
Eitanim (teens 13-18) activities. Click here for full list.
Temple Sholom
Monthly Tot Shabbat webcast
Old York Road Temple-Beth Am
Sundays-Fridays
10:00 AM Storytime with Rabbi Shoshanah Tornberg
Adath Jeshurun
Fridays, 9:30 AM: Mesibat Shabbat with Hazzan Glantz.Preschool – 2nd grade
Hadar:
Kaiserman JCC
Variety of classes and videos
See all resources for students & young adults
Jewish Philly Podcasts
Our in-house podcast is releasing special minisodes in collaboration with NextGen.
Tribe12
Join the Tribe12 Discord Server from their community page: a chatting/social app, similar to Slack or WhatsApp
Israeli American Council (IAC):
Donate today to help us serve the most vulnerable among us during times of emergency.
Donate Now: Emergency Fund
In an abundance of caution and care for our community members, we have made the difficult decision to cancel or postpone all Jewish Federation events until further notice, following all national, state and local guidelines. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to seeing you at future events.
