Jewish Federation Plans Biggest High Holiday Food Drive Ever
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia has expanded its annual High Holiday food drive to 45 local synagogues and institutions this year with a goal of collecting 60,000 pounds of food — enough to stock the five Mitzvah Food Pantry programs for more than five months.
The goal of 60,000 pounds of food collected is a sharp increase over the 50,000 pounds normally received.
Starting on Rosh Hashanah, donations of nutritious canned kosher protein items (nut butters, canned fish or canned beans) can be made to a participating synagogue or agency. All food must be kosher, have a future expiration date and be properly sealed. No bulk sizes are accepted, nor are glass items.
After the holidays, organization will deliver the donations to a pantry site, to the SHARE warehouse or schedule a pickup.
Jewish Federation said there are 11,000 Jews in Greater Philadelphia that face food insecurity and that more than 8,600 clients annually receive food regardless of race, income, gender, age or religion.
For details, visit jewishphilly.org/resources/mitzvah-food-program/high-holiday-food-drive.
Former Exponent Columnist Edward L. Snitzer Dies at 87
Edward L. Snitzer, who wrote investing columns for the Jewish Exponent in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s died Sept. 11. He was 87.
Snitzer was a Navy veteran, attorney, businessman, author and co-founder of investment management firm Prudent Management Associates in 1982. He chaired the American Bar Association’s committee on eminent domain and was an adjunct lecturer at Temple University.
Snitzer served as president of Congregation Rodeph Shalom from 1986-’89 and was active there for more than 40 years.
He also served on the board of the Albert Einstein Healthcare Network as secretary, vice chairman and as an honoree; was treasurer of the Settlement Music School; finance chair at the Foreign Policy Research Institute; and served on the board of the American Jewish Committee.
ZOA Honors Four at Annual Gala
The Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Zionist Organization of America honored four people at its annual gala on Sept. 24.
The organization presented its Amud Ha’Kehillah (Pillar of the Community Award) to businesswoman Malka Kantor-Rapkin, who was born in Mandate Palestine. She and her husband-to-be came to Philadelphia in 1964 to attend Gratz College. After graduating, she taught Hebrew and music in U.S. Jewish day schools here and elsewhere. She later worked in financial services, co-founding her own planning and wealth management firm.
The newly named Lee Bender Defender of Israel Award — named after the ZOA president who died Sept. 10 — went to Williamsport attorney Cliff Rieders. He serves on ZOA’s National Board and assisted in creating ZOA’s Center for Law and Justice. He has fought against the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.
The Guardian of Israel Award went to Rabbi Eliezer Hirsch, a founder of Mekor Habracha/Center City Synagogue. He was cited for being a fervent voice for Israel with his congregation.
The new Education Beacon Award went to DePaul University Professor of Philosophy Jason D. Hill, who was the keynote speaker. A recent Hill article in The Federalist, “The Moral Case For Israel Annexing The West Bank — and Beyond,” created a stir in academia. DePaul’s students sought an apology and called for him to be censured, while faculty members passed a resolution condemning him. He is also president and CEO of the Institute for Immigrant Assimilation.
