Community Bulletin Board

Tax Information

Pennsylvania's Educational Improvement Tax Credit program allows businesses and individuals to redirect their PA tax dollars to support critical scholarships for students at Jewish day schools and synagogue-based kindergarten and preschool programs. EITC participants receive a 90% PA tax credit for their contribution and may also claim the remaining 10% as a charitable deduction. If you have at least $6,000 in PA tax liability, you can participate by joining an EITC entity at Pennsylvania Education Partnership LLC. You can get started by emailing Gwen Horowitz at Gwen@paeitc.com or visiting www.paeitc.com.

Art Commission

The Philadelphia Holocaust Remembrance Foundation and Mural Arts Philadelphia are proud to announce the selection of Ella Ponizovsky Bergelson as the artist for the mural at the Horwitz-Wasserman Holocaust Memorial Plaza on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Ella was selected from a nearly year-long process that included a pool of over 50 applications from around the world. The roughly 2,500-square-foot mural — which will serve as a backdrop to the nation’s oldest public Holocaust monument and represent the first large-scale mural dedicated to the Holocaust in a public space — will enrich the Memorial Plaza and enhance its significance as a site for reflection and education. (At left, a recent mural of the artist in Berlin, Germany.)

About Ella Ponizovsky
Ella is a visual artist with significant experience creating powerful public artwork, including several murals across international locations. Her work often focuses on the experience of being uprooted from one’s homeland, a topic she understands intimately, having moved from Moscow to Israel as a child after the fall of the Iron Curtain and then later from Israel to Germany. She was specifically selected for her refreshing take on exploring the Holocaust. The central themes of her proposed mural are discrimination and displacement during the Holocaust and WWII, as well as the subsequent cultural and linguistic diversity these displacements triggered. You can see some of her work here.

Expected Timeline
After the community meetings, Ella will begin working on her design, which will go through a multi-stage review and approval process throughout Spring 2025. The mural will be installed in Summer 2025, with a public dedication ceremony in September 2025.

Mitzvah Opportunity

From Cradles to Crayons^®: At Cradles to Crayons, we imagine a world where no child worries about having the clothes they need. Where warmth, comfort, and dignity are a given, not a privilege. This time of year, children's need for our services is especially urgent. For children waiting for the bus, walking to school, or playing outside without proper winter gear, the cold is more than just uncomfortable—it can affect their health and well-being. A warm, weatherproof coat can be a lifeline, yet is unattainable for too many families. That’s where you come in. When you support Cradles to Crayons this season, you'll help us reach our goal of distributing 20,000 winter coats to keep local kids safe and warm. Plus, your dollar goes further with us: a gift of only $15 can provide a child with a brand-new winter coat that has a suggested retail price several times higher than we pay. You can donate money here. If you would like to drop off a coat, there will be boxes at AJ's Early Learning Center entrance or you can find a list of drop-off locations here.

Event

Sponsored by the Israeli American Council (IAC): As the war in Israel continues and antisemitism rises globally, our Jewish and Israeli-American community needs spaces for meaningful dialogue and connection. This unique event on Monday, November 18 brings together distinguished speakers to explore the IDF's ethical code — a framework that bridges Israel's democratic values with Jewish historical ethics.

Dr. Raviv Allon, from the IDF's elite rescue unit 669, will share firsthand experiences of providing medical care in impossible conditions to both Israeli soldiers and uninvolved Palestinian civilians. Dr. Yakir Englander (IAC, Fulbright Scholar and author) will provide a comprehensive analysis of the IDF's moral code, explaining its core principles, practical implementation, and the complex ethical decisions it guides in combat situations. Together with Dr. Yair Lev and Rabbi Geri Newburge, they will examine how these ethical guidelines shape Israel's military operations while upholding humanitarian values.

Join us to meet each other – American Jews and Israeli Americans.

Details:
Date: Monday, November 18 at 7:30 PM
Language: English
Location: Main Line Reform Temple, 410 Montgomery Ave, Wynnewood, PA 19096

This event is limited to limited to 75 participants. Register here: https://iac360.org/iac-events/ethicspa/#

Film Festival

Philadelphia Jewish Film + Media (PJFM)’s annual film and media festival returns November 14-24, 2024, to Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs. Twelve films, including a shorts program, master class, family event, comedy night, and so much more! Ten days of unforgettable Jewish cinematic and digital storytelling. PJFM’s 44th festival brings the most unique Jewish international films and digital media content from across the globe, from Philadelphia movie premieres to repertory cinema and collaborative events with local organizations. Events take place at the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, Gratz College, Ambler Theater, Kaiserman JCC, Penn Hillel, and Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel. Find out more here! 

Event

You get what you give — so give friendship! Walk, roll, or stroll with the whole community for this family friendly, fun and unifying annual event on Sunday, November 10 from 1:00 to 3:30 PM that raises crucial funds and awareness for Philly Friendship Circle—a nonprofit building inclusive friendships in our community. Live music, free food, fun for all ages! When you give your support, youth with and without disabilities get over 150 friendship-building events throughout the year, free of charge. You give youth in our circle a space where they can feel seen, heard, and at home—and you join a community of friends. Give friendship, get friendship. Let’s come together to raise crucial funds and awareness for Philly Friendship Circle! The walk takes place in Bryn Mawr and you can learn more and register here.

Message from USCJ

Below is a message from Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal, CEO of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

Dear USCJ Community,

I hope you have enjoyed time with loved ones in your sukkah over the past few days. As we approach the end of our High Holiday season with Shemini Atzeret and Simhat Torah — and the Hebrew calendar anniversary of the terrorist attack on October 7, 2023 — many of us are feeling mixed emotions.

This period is traditionally a time of immense joy and celebration within our community, marking the completion of the annual Torah reading cycle and the immediate beginning of a new one. It is a time when we express our love and reverence for the Torah, dancing with the scrolls in a vivid demonstration of our enduring commitment to our faith and heritage.

However, this year, our hearts are heavy as we approach Simhat Torah. The anniversary of the pogrom on October 7, 2023, and the ongoing conflict in Israel and the region, have cast a shadow over our preparations. The sorrow of these events, compounded by the anxious wait for the safe return of 101 hostages, brings a layer of solemnity to our observance. In fact, a recent publication from the Rabbinical Assembly notes that the hakafot, the traditional liturgy that accompanies our celebrations, is also a plaintive cry for salvation.

Indeed, it is precisely in these moments of darkness that the true strength and resilience of our community shine brightest. Our history is a testament to our ability to find hope and joy in the face of adversity, to come together as a community and support one another through the hardest of times.

In the immediate aftermath of October 7, in remembrance of the massacre at the Nova Music Festival, our siblings in Israel bravely coined a phrase that has echoed in our hearts ever since: “We will dance again.”

This year, as we roll the Torah back to Bereshit (Genesis) and start our cycle anew, let us also renew our commitment to each other and to our faith. Let us hold fast to the belief that better days are ahead, that peace will prevail, and that we will, once again, dance together in celebration.

I encourage you to make “We Will Dance Again” the theme of your personal Simhat Torah observance.

It acknowledges our current struggles and sorrows but also affirms our unwavering belief in the future. It is a call to embrace the joy of our traditions, even in the face of adversity, and to look forward with hope for the day when we can all gather without fear or sorrow, united in our joy and our faith. As the prophet Micah so eloquently put it, “Every family shall sit under its own vine and fig-tree; and none shall make them afraid; for the LORD of hosts has spoken” (Micah 4:4).

May this Simhat Torah bring comfort to those who mourn, strength to those who are waiting, and hope to us all.

With heartfelt prayers for the return of our hostages and the safety of our people, and with wishes for a season of renewal and hope,

Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal
CEO, USCJ

Webinar

On Sunday, September 22, at 8:00 PM, join the Hope for Israel Alliance for a fascinating and enlightening discussion with Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, an American writer, renowned blogger, and activist who grew up in Gaza City before leaving in 2005 as a teenage exchange student to the United States. Alkhatib has become a vocal critic of Hamas and a powerful advocate for coexistence and peace, which he believes is the only viable path forward for both Palestinians and Israelis. In this webinar, Ahmed will share his personal story and insights into Gaza’s political and humanitarian affairs, offering a unique perspective on the destructive influence of Hamas and the challenges of achieving peace in the region. Don't miss this chance to hear from someone with deep personal insights into the realities on the ground. Please register here.

Tikkun Olam

The Red Cross is looking for high school and college student leaders to organize blood drives on their campuses between December 15, 2024 and January 15, 2025. Students who host drives can earn an Amazon.com Gift Card* through Tango.com valued up to $500, a chance to win a scholarship up to $2,500, volunteer hours, and leadership experience. Find out more here.

Webinar

As the new academic year begins, we are seeing rising challenges with antisemitism, including in K-12 education. On September 18, at 8:00 PM, this webinar will bring together leaders from the Jewish Institute for Liberal Values (JILV) to learn about these challenges and explore ways to fight the growing antisemitism in schools. The discussion will also address how Critical Social Justice (CSJ) ideology is impacting Jewish students and contributing to antisemitism in middle and high schools. The Jewish Institute for Liberal Values (JILV) aims to raise awareness about the complexities of CSJ and its influence within the Jewish community. JILV's mission is to empower Jews who support liberal values and oppose the imposition of CSJ, ensuring that Jewish organizations remain open to diverse viewpoints.

Panelists:

• David L. Bernstein. Founder of JILV and author of Woke Antisemitism. David has dedicated his career to combating the new wave of antisemitism linked to CSJ and woke ideology. He has also served as the President of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs and as Executive Director of The David Project.
• Dr. Brandy Shufutinsky. Director of Education and Community Engagement for JILV. Dr. Shufutinsky has an extensive background in advocating for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Today, her focus is on advancing liberal democratic values through education and community engagement.

Key Topics:

• Addressing the rise of antisemitism in schools
• The influence of CSJ ideology on Jewish students
• Strategies to preserve Jewish values in educational institutions
• How CSJ fuels antizionism and modern antisemitism

Don't miss this important conversation about the future of our children’s education and the challenges we face. Register here.

Zoom Presentation

Do you know how to speak to your kids about the rising antisemitism? Join the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) with other community organizations to learn how to navigate challenging, age-appropriate conversations with your child about antisemitism and work with your child’s school administrators and educators to effectively address antisemitism within the school community. The sessions include guided presentations from experts in the field of parent education, advocacy, antisemitism. You will also learn from those who have successfully lobbied on behalf of their children. This free program is open to all, but is best suited for parents of children in public or non-Jewish parochial schools.

Date & Time:
Two Virtual Sessions: 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

For parents of students in grades 6-12
Wednesday, September 11
REGISTER FOR SESSION 1

For parents of students in grades K-5
Monday, September 16
REGISTER FOR SESSION 2

For questions about this virtual workshop, please contact the Jewish Federation’s Director of Leadership Development & Governance Lori Rubin at lrubin@jewishphilly.org or 215.832.0828.

This series is brought to you by the Jewish Federation’s JCRC and Kehillot groups, Jewish Learning Venture, StandWithUs, the Israeli American Council, and the ADL Philadelphia.

Event

On Sunday, September 15, from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM, share some sweet moments together at this family-friendly afternoon at the orchards with the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia's Kehillot (neighborhood) groups. This is an afternoon of connecting with community, enjoying crafts and honey sticks, and learning from Jewish institutions in the region. Participating orchards: Indian Orchards Farm (29 Copes Ln, Media) and Tabora Farms/Rustic Valley Orchards (1220 Upper Stump Rd, Chalfont). This program is free. Participants are responsible for paying the orchard for any apples they pick or activities they participate in. Register here.

Event

Hidden is a musical by David & Jenny Heitler-Klevans based on the true story of Ruth Kapp Hartz, who as a young Jewish girl was hidden in Southern France during World War II. Forced to change her name to Renée Caper in order to blend in, Ruth and her family rely on the kindness of strangers in a small French village. From a secret apartment to a basement hideout to a Catholic orphanage in a convent, Renée must hide her true identity and learn to survive through a series of harrowing events. Dealing with themes of identity, allies, anti-Semitism, fascism, resilience and resistance, this musical will resonate with audiences today.

Performances:
September 6, 7, and 20 at 8:00 PM
September 21 and 22 at 2:00 PM
At Gratz Theater in Elkins Park

Click here to purchase tickets.

Event

On Sunday, August 4 at 10:00 AM, there will be a "Bring Them Home NOW" rally, marking the 5th birthday of Ariel Bibas. Ariel, along with his brother Kfir(1), mother Shiri and father Yarden were kidnapped from kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7th 2023 and are STILL being held hostage by Hamas terrorists, nearly 10 months later. Ariel Bibas is turning 5 years old! Please join us in marking his birthday. Ariel is a devoted fan of Batman and in his honor, the event will be Batman-themed.  We welcome all adults and children to join us. We will provide some accessories and have some fun activities for the younger souls. The organizers of the rally are in touch with the family, who would love to see wide attendance.  So come to Rittenhouse Square and wear your Batman gear. Security will be provided by PPD. Please register here.

Event

jkidphilly and Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia are out exploring nature in your neighborhood this summer! Each “Let’s Explore!” event features a fun nature-themed scavenger hunt, a craft project, and a story. BYO picnic and we’ll bring a treat to share!

Location: An outdoor location in Elkins Park; register for the exact address.
Date and Time: Tuesday, July 30, 2024, 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Cost:  Free
Recommended Ages: Ages 0–8 (siblings always welcome!)