JFRE members make a difference in millions of lives. Each year, JFRE invests hundreds of thousands of dollars in critical projects to support Jewish communities in Greater Philadelphia and in Israel through the JFRE Fund. In 2017-2018, JFRE provided more than $500,000 to the following 14 critical projects.
ACCESSIBLE PLAYGROUND
The Wolfson Community Center builds communities in Netivot by connecting individuals through celebrations of their cultural heritage and the development of local leadership. This project will support the redevelopment of Lake Park in the Jewish Federation’s Partnership2Gether Region, and specifically the creation of an accessible playground, designed for children with disabilities.
DAVID SLING CLUB
The Israel Air Force Association supports soldiers with the Israel Defense Forces. This project will provide deployed soldiers working on David’s Sling system, which was designed to intercept tactical ballistic missiles, with a much-needed space to relax and unwind. Soldiers working on this system are deployed to various locations, without a home or supportive facility.
DIGITAL CHOICE SYSTEM ENHANCEMENTS
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Mitzvah Food Program provides basic pantry staples for food insecure individuals and families living in the Greater Philadelphia area. This project will develop a web-based system for clients to order food remotely, instead of visiting a pantry, increasing accessibility for homebound clients who would not otherwise be able to travel to pantry sites.
EMERGENCY RENT GRANT
Golden Slipper Senior Center provides services for low-income older adults including social activities, educational classes, and nutritious lunches. This project will provide funding to cover the increased rent cost for the senior center’s Wynnfield Heights location. This funding will ensure older adults can remain fully engaged in life as they age in their own homes.
ENERGY PROJECT
AKIM-Jerusalem provides housing for approximately 90 intellectually challenged youth and adults in Jerusalem. This project will provide emergency generators for backup during snow and rain storms, and enable important medical devices and electric wheelchairs to continue operation.
GROW FOR A FRIEND EXPANSION
KleinLife provides social, educational, and cultural programs, as well as vital social and medical services for people living in Northeast Philadelphia. With JFRE’s assistance, the organization will increase its production by planting a small orchard, building an additional hoop house, and installing a harvest washing station. With this investment, Grow for a Friend will dramatically expand its ability to promote healthy eating, provide fresh and nutritious food to an at-risk population, and build community with many volunteer opportunities.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY REBUILD
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Northeast NORC supports older adults living in Northeast Philadelphia to age safely and with dignity in their own homes. The rebuild project will partner with Habitat for Humanity and Jewish Federation volunteers to perform necessary home repairs and provide basic home maintenance. Volunteers provide essential services from changing light bulbs to repairing roofs, enabling clients to safely remain in their own homes as they age.
HOME REPAIR FOR HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS
Our local Jewish community is fortunate to have among us hundreds of Holocaust Survivors living and thriving. While the Claims Conference pays for home care and chore services, many survivors live in Northeast Philadelphia row homes desperate for major home repair and modifications such as a new roof, windows, stair glides, plumbing problems and more. We have identified 15 survivors who need repairs.
HOME RESTORATION PROJECT
Latet provides services for vulnerable populations in Israel including aid for Holocaust Survivors, food rescue and nutritional security programs, professional support for economically disadvantaged women, and programs for at-risk youth. The Home Restoration Project funds home repairs for impoverished Holocaust survivors. It is part of
the Aid for Life program, which provides over 1,200 survivors with aid for nutritional, medical, physical, social and emotional needs.
MEAL RESCUE IN SOUTHERN ISRAEL
Leket Israel serves as Israel’s National Food Bank and largest food rescue network, collecting and distributing surplus nutritious food to approximately 175,000 people weekly. This project will support building renovations to the operations hub at Be’er Sheva.
MOBILE THERAPY UNIT
ELI: Israel Association for Child Protection supports children who have been abused by a parent or guardian. JFRE funds will enable the purchase of a new vehicle that will meet the children at their homes and serve as safe therapy space in emergency situations and provide access to remote regions where other services are not available.
PLAYGROUND
The Saligman Child Health and Treatment Center in Sdot Negev, Israel provides health, development, and treatment services for at-risk children in the Jewish Federation’s Partnership Region. JFRE support will create a new sensory-friendly playground for young children with disabilities, designed to support the development of fine and gross motor and emotional skills in each child placing them on the path toward success.
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR VULNERABLE ADULTS
The Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia offers vital services to older adults, people living with disabilities, and vulnerable individuals in the Philadelphia region. JFRE support will provide for a new wheelchair accessible van to transport clients to doctor appointments, grocery stores, social events and other life-enhancing activities. Through these rides, many homebound individuals will be able to maintain their independence by accessing otherwise unobtainable services.
WILDERNESS EQUIPMENT AND FURNITURE
Nirim Foundation provides therapeutic services to at-risk youth through wilderness survival trips. The wilderness therapy program uses survival skills, marine challenge activities and pre-army preparation courses to strengthen self-confidence and leadership abilities, as well as promote a sense of self-empowerment. This project will fund necessary equipment for trips, and renovate and furnish the youth therapy centers.