If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about the global Jewish community, one of the best ways to do so is by participating in a Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia-sponsored trip that introduces you to Jewish people and places around the world, frequently referred to as a mission.
If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about the global Jewish community, one of the best ways to do so is by participating in a Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia-sponsored trip that introduces you to Jewish people and places around the world, frequently referred to as a mission.
“Missions are extremely valuable community-building vehicles,” said Rabbi Deborah Glanzberg-Krainin, the Jewish Federation’s chief program and strategy officer. “They help members of our Greater Philadelphia Jewish community connect with each other in meaningful ways and they support the global Jewish community by connecting us to Jewish people all over the world.”
Last year, both through financial assistance and by organizing missions, the Jewish Federation helped approximately 2,000 Greater Philadelphians travel to Israel and other Jewish communities.
Through its missions program, the Jewish Federation offers a wide variety of exciting and meaningful adventures locally, in Israel and in other countries with Jewish populations. Because of its unique position and extensive experience, the Jewish Federation can provide participants with exclusive insider access to political figures, historians, area experts, community leaders and local residents, while also demonstrating the impact of Jewish Federation funds overseas.
“Missions give you a chance to experience first hand the powerful work of the Jewish Federation locally, nationally and internationally,” said Robin Zappin, who, along with Scott Isdaner, co-chairs the Jewish Federation’s Missions Committee. “Missions are one of many avenues the Jewish Federation and the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) provide for people of all ages to explore their individual Jewish connection, while connecting to the beauty, culture and people of other countries.”
Highlighted below are some of the upcoming opportunities to travel with the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia or JFNA.
JFNA Prime Minister’s Council Mission to Spain and Israel
Sept. 18 to 25, 2016
(Optional pre-mission to Portugal: Sept. 15 to 18, 2016)
Discover Jewish Spain, from its rich past to its unique rebirth. Join an elite cadre of Jewish Federation philanthropists on an exclusive voyage of discovery. In Spain, get special access to top leaders — a former prime minister and members of the royal family have been invited — and influential members of the Spanish Jewish community. And in Israel, meet with the prime minister and modern-day heroes, visit innovative Jewish Federation-funded programs, and learn about the latest developments in business and culture. A voluntary commitment of $100,000 to the Jewish Federation’s 2017 Annual Campaign is suggested for participants; donors under the age of 45 who contribute $50,000 or more to the Annual Campaign are invited to participate on the mission as well. For more information, contact Pam Pearlmutter at 215-832-0837 or ppearlmutter@jfgp.org.
75th Anniversary of Babi Yar Mission
September 26 to 30, 2016
Join people from around the world in bearing witness to this human — and inhuman — tragedy. In September 1941, two years into World War II, Nazi forces occupied the Ukrainian capital, Kiev. Late in the month, the Nazis ordered all of Kiev’s Jews to report on the 29th to a ravine called Babi Yar. That day and the next, nearly 34,000 Jews were rounded up, forced to undress and marched into the path of machine guns … an industrial slaughter that was the largest massacre of the Holocaust up to that date, and one of the largest of the entire war. Thousands more, Jews and others, were murdered at Babi Yar over the next few years. Seventy-five years to the day after that horrifying massacre, survivors, their families, world leaders and people of all faiths will gather at the “site to commemorate these awful events, to think about the lives lost, and to resolve that nothing like this will happen again.” You can represent the Greater Philadelphia community at what promises to be an unforgettable experience that will include meetings with government officials and community leaders, as well as official commemorative events. For more information, contact Rachel Gross at 215-832-0572 or rgross@jfgp.org.
Kesher Mission
Oct. 31 to Nov. 8, 2016
The Jewish Federation invites you to a special Kesher (connection) mission for members of our community – connect more deeply to Israel. Mission Chairs Scott and Andrea Barsky hope you will join them for this unique opportunity to taste, see and feel the beauty of Israel just the way you want to, while building relationships with our Greater Philadelphia Jewish community. A $500 deposit is required to reserve your spot; this deposit will be refundable until Sept. 15. A donation of $1,800 or more per person to the Jewish Federation’s 2017 Jewish Community Fund is requested. You can learn more about this mission at a parlor meeting on July 7 at 7 p.m., at the Barskys’ home in Margate, N.J. To sign up for and get details on the parlor meeting or mission, contact Bob Seltzer at 215-832-0535 or rseltzer@jfgp.org.
JFNA King David Society
Mission to Argentina
March 13 to 19, 2017
From tango in the streets of Buenos Aires to the best Malbec wine in the world, Argentina evokes countless vibrant images. Home to the largest Jewish population in Latin America, it’s also been a hub for Jewish life for more than 150 years. Join us as we meet thriving Jewish communities throughout the country, tour dazzling historic sites and idyllic vineyards, and engage with the leaders charting a bright course for Argentina’s future. The mission program will begin in Mendoza on March 13 and conclude in Buenos Aires on March 19. The suggested voluntary commitment for participants is $25,000 to the Jewish Federation’s 2017 Annual Campaign; donors are encouraged to invite their adult children to attend. For more information, contact Pam Pearlmutter at 215-832-0837 or ppearlmutter@jfgp.org.
B’nai Mitzvah Mission to Israel
December 21 to 31, 2017
This exciting family experience will include a very special group B’nai Mitzvah ceremony, as well as time for private family reflection. This trip is perfect for multi-generational families, especially first-time travelers to Israel, who want to celebrate this sacred lifecycle event in Israel. Though details are still being finalized, the Jewish Federation hopes Greater Philadelphia families will commit now to making this unique opportunity part of their upcoming simchas. For more information, contact Pam Pearlmutter at 215-832-0837 or ppearlmutter@jfgp.org.
All mission details are subject to change. For more information on Jewish Federation missions in general, visit jewishphilly.org/missions.
