Philadelphia, PA, August 22, 2024– The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is proud to announce a new strategic relationship with leading educational technology firm Ruvna, marking a significant step forward in safeguarding the lives of students and teachers across our community. This collaboration kicked off in December of 2023, and it will provide top-tier safety and security measures, already proven effective, to 5,000 students and 1,000 staff members who are now under the protective wing of Ruvna’s pioneering solutions.

After several concerning incidents, including specific events where Ruvna’s capabilities allowed for the swift evacuation and accounting of 300 students within three minutes, the Jewish Federation recognized the urgent need to enforce advanced safety protocols. The Federation has acted decisively to ensure this level of safety is the new standard, recognizing that such rapid response could mean the difference between chaos and order, fear and reassurance.

Twenty-two schools have eagerly joined this initiative, immediately recognizing the profound implications for student and teacher wellbeing. The first cohort has already been successfully on-boarded to the Ruvna platform, and the second grouping is in active transition. Ruvna’s implementation specialists provide the 22 schools with a tailored setup to ensure operational customization, data accuracy and personalized training. Administrators and school staff receive comprehensive, interactive overviews of emergency and communication protocols over a three-week period. Notably, the Jewish Federation has generously covered the first year’s cost for all the institutions involved as well as negotiating favorable terms for their continued use. Eligible schools for this program currently include Jewish day and preschools in the Greater Philadelphia area. 

“Ensuring the safety of our community’s children and educators isn’t just a priority; it’s a moral imperative,” said Michael Balaban, President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. “In times of the undeniably rising threats to our schools, it is more important than ever that we proactively equip our institutions with the tools they need to keep harm at bay. Our collaboration with Ruvna reflects our commitment to providing our schools with resources that serve both educational and security needs.” 

 Ruvna, with its innovative approach, redefines school safety without compromising the unique culture of each institution. As an all-in-one platform, Ruvna ensures seamless communication, swift response to emergencies, and accountability, empowering schools to focus on their core mission of educating students. With Ruvna, schools can create a safer environment for their community, keeping families informed and students protected, while maintaining the essence of their school’s identity.

“We are deeply honored to partner with the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia in this crucial initiative,” stated Joey Nutinsky, CEO and Co-founder of Ruvna. “The safety of our students and educators is not just a responsibility—it’s our moral imperative. At Ruvna, we’ve always believed that technology can be a powerful ally in ensuring the wellbeing of our communities. This partnership represents more than just an alliance between two organizations; it symbolizes our shared dedication to creating environments where learning and teaching can flourish, free from the concern of safety risks. The trust placed in us by the Jewish Federation fuels our commitment to innovate and deliver solutions that meet the unique needs of schools today. Together, we are setting a new benchmark for what it means to keep our children safe, demonstrating that through collaboration and the use of advanced technology, we can protect our most valuable assets—our students and educators.”

This strategic relationship is the first of its kind, representing the largest program deployment of this magnitude to-date, and the Jewish Federation and Ruvna call for other community leaders and educational organizations to recognize the importance of student and teacher safety and to follow in their footsteps, implementing modern solutions that safeguard the well-being of all.

Since its founding, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia has centralized resources to provide an infrastructure of support for Jewish people and organizations in need. Today, with a rise in extremism, terrorism and violence — often targeting Jewish institutions like synagogues, JCCs, camps, day schools and Jewish Federations — that supportive infrastructure has evolved to include tools that help create a safe environment for our communities. Because of this need, the Jewish Federation is developing strong community-wide life-safety strategies. The Ruvna solution is the first of three strategies it plans to deploy over the next twelve months.

About the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia 

Since 1901, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia has served as the hub of the region’s Jewish communities, providing an infrastructure of support for Jewish people and organizations in need. Through grants, emergency funding, restricted gifts, endowments and our partnership with the Foundation for Jewish Day Schools, the Jewish Federation has invested more than $61 million this fiscal year to care for those in need, combat antisemitism and global crisis, and strengthen Jewish identity. For more information, click here.

About Ruvna

Ruvna leads the education technology sector by seamlessly integrating school safety and operational efficiency, without compromising unique school cultures. Our all-in-one platform optimizes daily operations and ensures secure communities through the seamless integration of attendance, accountability, announcements, and visitor management systems. With advanced technology and intuitive interfaces, we empower administrators to streamline routine tasks, proactively address safety concerns, and drive positive change. 

Committed to superior customer support, we tailor innovative solutions to meet each school’s unique operational and safety needs. This reflects our dedication to creating environments where learning can flourish, daily processes run smoothly, and preparedness for safety challenges is paramount. Ruvna transforms how schools operate, making them safer and more efficient every day. 

To discover how Ruvna is revolutionizing school operations and safety, click here.

For more information about the Jewish Federation and Ruvna partnership:

Email: phillyfed@redbanyan.com 
Visit the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia or Ruvna website.