The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is a volunteer-driven enterprise. Our governance structure involves community volunteers who provide strategic direction and oversight on several levels.
The Board of Directors provide high-level leadership. They are responsible for managing the affairs, administration and property of the Jewish Federation.
The Board of Trustees, a broad and inclusive body that supports the Jewish Federation’s work, approves the annual budget and advises the Board of Directors on community concerns.
Standing committees, mandated by Jewish Federation’s Bylaws, include the Audit Committee, Campaign Committee, Compensation Committee, Endowments Committee, Ethics Committee, Finance Committee, Governance Committee, Investment Committee, Jewish Community Relations Council, Planning and Resourcing Commission, and Real Estate Committee.
Task forces and Committees provide volunteer input into the Jewish Federation planning, grant making and programming.
BOARD CHAIRS
Gail Norry
Co-Chair of the Board, Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
Gail Norry is the Co-Chair of the Board of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. She is also a member of The Jewish Federations of North America’s Board of Trustees, FRD Cabinet, Nominating Committee, and Domestic Policy & Government Affairs Committee. Gail is the Immediate Past Chair of JFNA’s Emergency Committee, and was the past chair of National Young Leadership Cabinet and National Women’s Philanthropy, in addition to Co-Chairing a General Assembly and International Lion of Judah Conference.
Gail has strong relationships within the Jewish community, as past co-chair of the Philadelphia Birthright Council, member of the Boards of 21/64 and Prizmah, the Center for Jewish Day Schools, and founder and Co-Chair of OROT, a special needs initiative in Philadelphia’s Jewish day schools. Gail is the epitome of leadership within the Jewish Federation, having participated in the Jewish Federation’s Leadership Institute, received the Myer and Rosalie Feinstein Young Leadership Award, and was instrumental in growing our presence in Philadelphia as a Campaign Chair, Women’s Philanthropy President, and Co-Chair for Jewish Life and Learning. Gail is married to Dr. Elliot Norry, the mother of Dahlia, Benjamin, and Jordana, and the proud Safta of Cobi Weissman. She is a member of Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel.
David Adelman
Co-Chair of the Board, Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
David is a Philadelphia-based entrepreneur and private investor. Under his leadership as CEO, Campus Apartments has grown into one of the nation’s largest providers of on- and off- campus student housing. The company leads the industry and is a sought out partner for colleges and universities, developers and investors. Over the past three decades, David has expanded his portfolio beyond real estate. He is the co-founder and Vice Chairman of FS Investments, a leading manager of alternative investment funds, and is the lead investor and Lead Director of Wheels Up, an innovative and intelligent private aviation solution.
In addition to his business ventures, David dedicates his time on the boards of numerous esteemed organizations. At the Jewish Federation, David has served as Chair of JFRE, Jewish Federation Real Estate’s professional division, and is a member of the JFRE Executive Committee. His board roles also include Actua Corporation, Penn Medicine Board of Trustees, Board of Councilors of the USC Shoah Foundation, Vice Chair of the University City District Board of Directors, member of the Young Presidents Organization, and Chairman of the Philadelphia Holocaust Foundation. Inspired by his grandfather’s story as a Holocaust survivor, David spearheaded the remarkable Horwitz-Wasserman Holocaust Plaza in Philadelphia, which opened under his leadership in 2018. David is married to Hallee, and the father of Sage and Jade.