The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is continuing its efforts to provide essential support for our communities as the COVID-19-coronavirus pandemic continues. We are working closely with our local, national and international partners to ensure we are keeping our communities safe and taking advantage of every opportunity possible to provide further support.
Here are just a few of the many things we’re working on. For a complete list and further information, please visit Jewishphilly.org/COVID-19 and be sure to follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Jewish Together: Jewish Federation’s role in the Paycheck Protection Program and CARES Act
Last week, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act into Law. The CARES Act allocated $350 billion in funding to help keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn. Known as the Paycheck Protection Program, the initiative provides 100% federally guaranteed loans to small businesses and, thanks to a united lobbying effort from Jewish and other religious organizations, nonprofits and religious institutions.
While there are some exclusions in the bill, most Jewish nonprofit organizations with 500 or fewer employees — Jewish Federations, JCCs, synagogues, schools, human services organizations, Jewish summer camps, Hillels, youth organizations, engagement organizations and others — can get the necessary funds to help them through the critical months ahead and keep their organization running. The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is actively disseminating this information to all local organizations and will provide additional resources and materials in the days ahead.
The loans can be used for operational costs including payroll expenses; health benefits; paid, sick, medical/family leave and insurance premiums; mortgage interest; rent payments; and interest on debt incurred before the covered period. Organizations may qualify to have a portion of their loan forgiven if they meet certain requirements.
The loans are a first-come, first-served basis and organizations are encouraged to apply early. Jewish Federations of North America has created a one-stop platform for Jewish individuals and organizations to access pertinent information and resources. Visit Jewishtogether.org to learn more about applying for a federal loan, access a calendar of virtual meetups and gatherings and tune in to Jewish communal videos.
Jewish Federation’s COVID-19 Emergency Fund
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia remains committed to providing essential resources to the entire community during the international crisis caused by the COVID-19 coronavirus. We are continuing to coordinate with all Jewish-affiliated organizations, schools, synagogues and agencies in the region to assess and address emerging needs.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we have raised over $750,000 for our COVID-19 emergency fund. Our first round of allocations were distributed last week, and the next round will be announced shortly. All of our allocations will support organizations providing meals and support services to our community’s most vulnerable members, including the hundreds of Holocaust survivors who live in our region.
While the funds raised have already made a significant impact, we still need your help. The needs of our Jewish communities will continue to grow and change quickly as the coronavirus pandemic endures. As the convener of our Jewish communities, we are uniquely positioned to assess these needs and meet them swiftly. But we can’t do it alone.
Donations of any size are welcome and appreciated. To donate online, visit jewishphilly.org/covid19. You may also give your donation over the phone by calling 215-832-0521 or 215-832-0865.
Jewish Federation Real Estate Launches Emergency Campaign
As leaders in the industry, the Jewish Federation Real Estate (JFRE) affinity group of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia has the ability to immediately respond to the COVID-19 crisis. As such, the JFRE Executive Committee has approved an Emergency Campaign to support programs providing food for those members of our community that are at risk or now find themselves food insecure.
JFRE will immediately grant $50,000 from the JFRE Fund and will match pledges to this campaign dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000 through April 3. The committee is challenging the JFRE community to stand up for those most vulnerable by raising an additional $100,000 through JFRE’s Emergency Campaign.
The group intends to support four programs that have a significant impact serving vulnerable populations and individuals of all faiths. The total amount raised through the JFRE Emergency Campaign will be equally distributed to the Jewish Federation’s Mitzvah Food Program, KleinLife’s Meals on Wheels, MANNA and the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association’s Hospitality Workers Relief Program.
Donations to the JFRE emergency campaign can be made online at
jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/jfre-covid-campaign.
In an abundance of caution, JFRE has decided to postpone the annual Legends and Leaders event at the Kimmel Center, and is considering dates later this year. However, the event is encouraging potential sponsors to move ahead with their sponsorships to support the COVID-19 response efforts. Sponsors will receive the same benefits as outlined in the original sponsorship packages. More information can be found at jewishphilly.org/jfre-sponsorship.
Volunteers Still Needed
Are you healthy, under the age of 60 and have not been exposed to the COVID-19 coronavirus? If so, the Jewish community in the Greater Philadelphia region could use your help. The Jewish Federation’s Mitzvah Food Program, the KleinLife Home Delivered Meals program and the Jewish Relief Agency are all in need of drivers to drop off prepacked food and emergency items to local homes.
For those who wish to volunteer from their homes, the Jewish Federation needs more volunteers to partake in our Phone-A-Friend program. If you’re a regular, dependable person who can check-in several times a week with an older adult in our community who is isolated, please fill out the form on our website. All opportunities and more information can be found at Jewishphilly.org/COVID19.
