We firmly believe that Jewish continuity relies on passing on the ancient traditions and the historic resiliency of the Jewish people onto the next generation – L’dor V’dor.
In enacting this vision of creating a vibrant Jewish future, we fund organizations that provide opportunities for the local community to connect with each other and to their Jewish heritage. In addition to supporting these institutions, we also protect them by providing security resources at no cost while enhancing the community’s ability to stand up to Jewish hate through trainings and educational programs.
Fiscal Year 2025 Allocation Summary
Out of the Jewish Federation’s $71 million total investment, the organization awarded nearly $2.6 million through the Jewish Community Fund to programs and initiatives that fall under the purview of Securing a Vibrant Jewish Future. These funds support programs focused on developing deep, long-lasting connections to Judaism, the Jewish community and inspiring the next generation of leaders.
Impact in the priority area of Securing a Vibrant Jewish Future is also made through other Jewish Federation grant processes (including the Bernard and Etta Weinberg Family Fund, Chair’s Venture Fund, Jewish Federation Real Estate Fund, Justin P. Allman President’s Fund, Women of Vision Endowment Fund) and special funds.
Priority areas
Securing a Vibrant Jewish Future is one of the Jewish Federation’s three pillars that are guided by Jewish values and which are the basis of our funded projects. You can discover the priority areas for Securing a Vibrant Jewish Future below.
Programs that provide opportunities for individuals to increase their knowledge about Judaism, Jewish history and texts.
Programs that provide opportunities for individuals to deepen their Jewish identity and form Jewish community and that focus on creating inclusive and welcome Jewish spaces around shared values or identities.
Programs that address the unprecedented rise in Jewish hate and initiatives that protect the Jewish community and its congregations, schools, agencies and other institutions against increasing threat.
Fiscal Year 2025 jcf grantee recipients
You can find the JCF grant recipients under the Securing a Vibrant Jewish Future, their awarded amounts and descriptions below.
BBYO
JCF FY25: $22,191
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. To learn more, click here.
Camp Scholarships
JCF FY25: $379,200
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. To see a full list of camps who were awarded Jewish Federation funding in our most recent fiscal year, click here.
Camp Scholarships
JCF FY25: $379,200
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. To see a full list of camps who were awarded Jewish Federation funding in our most recent fiscal year, click here.
The Chevra
JCF FY25: $40,938
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. To learn more about their opportunities, click here.
Day School Per Capita
JCF FY25: $833,143
The Jewish Community Fund allocates grant funding directly to local, Jewish day schools on a per capita basis for students in kindergarten and up. With general operating grants, our partner schools are able to utilize the funding where it is needed most for their institution. In addition to grant funding, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia aims to partner with our local Jewish day schools wherever possible, including providing resources for security, special education, mental health and wellness, and more.
Abrams Hebrew Academy
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.
Cheder Chabad of Philadelphia
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.
Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy
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.
Kohelet Yeshiva
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.
Politz Yeshiva & Bais Yaakov
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.
Raymond and Ruth Perelman Jewish Day School
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.
Kosloff Torah Academy Girls’ High School
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.
Caskey Torah Academy
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.
OROT
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.
Greater Philly Hillel Network
JCF FY25: $113,934
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. To learn more about their impact and opportunities, click here.
Hillel at Drexel University
JCF FY25: $71,209
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. Learn more about Drexel Hillel’s dedication to accompanying students on their individual journeys of exploration and growth by clicking here.
Hillel at Temple University
JCF FY25 Grant: $128,176
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. To learn more about Hillel at Temple University, click here.
Israeli-American Council
JCF FY25: $25,905
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. To learn more, click here.
Jewish Learning Venture
JCF FY25: $477,024
FY25 funds from other Jewish Federation grants: $55,000 from the Weinberg Family Fund
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. To learn more about Jewish Learning Venture, click here.
Venture Israel Fellowship
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. To learn more, click here.
Kaiserman JCC
JCF FY25: $53,024
FY25 Funds from other Jewish Federation grants: $53,722 from the Weinberg Family Fund
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. To learn more about their work, click here.
Machne Israel – Philadelphia Lubavitcher Center
JCF FY25: $95,000
Lubavitch of Philadelphia is part of the global Chabad-Lubavitch movement, inspired by the teachings of the late Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. Founded in 1963 by Rabbi Abraham Shemtov and his wife, Lubavitch of Philadelphia has grown into a network of over 40 community centers, organizations and educational institutions across the Delaware Valley. Over the past six decades, more than 45 couples have joined the Shemtovs in their mission to enrich and build the Philadelphia Jewish community. To learn more, click here.
Makom Community
JCF FY25 Grant: $68,000
FY25 funds from other Jewish Federation grants: $20,000 from the JFRE Fund
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. To learn more about Makom, click here.
Moishe House
JCF FY25: $21,814
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. To learn more about their work, click here.
Moving Traditions
JCF FY25: $22,191
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. To learn more about their work and mission, click here.
NCSY Atlantic Seaboard
JCF FY25: $22,191
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. To learn more about their work, click here.
OneTable
JCF FY25: $61,407
FY25 Funds from other Jewish Federation grants: $60,000 from the Weinberg Family Fund
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. To learn more about their work, click here.
Penn Hillel
JCF FY25: $24,923
FY25 funds from other Jewish Federation grants: $50,000 from the Weinberg Family Fund
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. To learn more about Penn Hillel’s work, click here.
Penn State Hillel
JCF FY25: $32,044
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. To learn more about opportunities with Penn State Hillel, click here.
Philly Friendship Circle
JCF FY25: $31,269
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. To learn more about their initiatives and impact, click here.
Tribe 12
FY25: $35,207
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 you find the Jewish community you’re looking for, and if it doesn’t exist, they support you in creating it! To learn more, click here.
