The upcoming months are full for the Jewish Federation's Center City Kehillah — be sure to save the date!
Between the Stone and the Flower: The Duality of the Conversos
Thursday, Dec. 12 | 6:30 - 9 p.m.
The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
This newly released documentary follows Genie Milgrom, a Cuban-born Catholic, on her quest to uncover her Crypto-Judaic roots, reconnect with her Pre-Inquisition Jewish heritage and her conversion to Orthodox Judaism. Milgrom will share her story and host a Q&A following the film screening. To register, click here.
Chanukah Happening
Sunday, Dec. 15 | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Society Hill Synagogue
Get ready for the Festival of Lights at Happening! Bring your family and friends to celebrate together and enjoy delicious gluten-free latkes from Latke Brigade and sweet sufganiyot (doughnuts), play dreidel games, take photos with Mr. Latke, and get creative with Chanukah art projects. Come dressed to impress (or amuse!) for an “ugly Chanukah sweater” contest, with great prizes! To register, click here.
Challah Braiding with the Challah Prince
Sunday, Dec. 15 | 2 - 4 p.m.
Kaiserman JCC
Join for an unforgettable experience with Idan Chabasov, the renowned Challah Prince, at the Kaiserman JCC! Known for his mesmerizing challah braiding tutorials on TikTok and Instagram and over 2.1 Million Likes, Idan has captivated millions with his unique and artistic approach to this beloved tradition. Born and raised in Israel, Idan combines his love for baking with his passion for community, sharing his skills and stories from his culinary journey. To register, click here.
Shine A Light
Sunday, Dec. 15 | 3 - 5 p.m.
Address Given Upon Registration
Join for the annual Shine A Light program in partnership with the Weitzman Museum of Jewish American History and Eteaches365! First, enjoy storytime in the PJ Library Corner with a delightful story session featuring a special visiting therapy dog. Create a light-inspired take-home craft that sparks creativity. Embark on a fun scavenger hunt throughout the Museum.
Then, experience the premiere of films from jkid4all’s project, "We Belong at the Table," highlighting traditions and history through food. Join filmmaker Eli Jacobs-Fantauzzi and jkid4all Director Sarah Kolker as they explore the homes of five Jewish families of color, sharing their favorite recipes and culinary traditions. To register, click here.
Hatishma Koli: Can You Hear My Voice? Songs of Longing, Hope and Praise
Sunday, Dec. 15 | 4 - 5 p.m.
Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel
Join Nashirah, the Jewish Chorale of Greater Philadelphia, directed by Dr. Julia Zavadsky, Shirei Chesed Community Chorus of New York, directed by Natasha Hirschhorn, and a special guest, Philadelphia Ballet Demi Soloist Yuval Cohen, for an afternoon of reflection, connection, and inspiration. Celebrate the music's ability to touch the soul and bring everyone together through Israeli and Ukranian songs, and beautiful classical settings of the Jewish liturgy. To register, click here.
Six13 Chanukah Concert
Sunday, Dec. 15 | 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Old York Road Temple-Beth Am
Get ready for an electrifying performance by a renowned Jewish A Cappella group! Known for their sensational hits like "Elton Johnukah" and "Bohemian Chanukah," they bring a unique and vibrant twist to your favorite tunes. To register, click here.
The Dehumanization of Jews in Russian and Soviet Cartoons
Monday, Dec. 16 | 6 - 7 p.m.
Free Library of Philadelphia
Bob Weinberg, Professor of History and International Relations at Swarthmore College will explore anti-Jewish visual imagery from the late Tsarist era to the early years of the Soviet Union, covering popular and official attitudes and perceptions of Russian and Soviet Jewry. To register, click here.
Tribe 12 Annual Hanukkah Celebration
Monday, Dec. 16 | 6 - 9 p.m.
Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
Join Tribe 12 to celebrate Chanukah. They will also honor longtime Fellowship Coach Matt Pincus, longtime fellowship peer Ariella Werden-Greenfield and longtime staff member Danielle Selber for their years of mentorship of young adults in our community! To register, click here.
Latkes & Vodkas Movie Night
Thursday, Dec. 19 | 7 - 9:30 p.m.
Khyber Pass Pub
It’s time to “latke and vodka” with Adam Sandler’s Hanukkah musical extravaganza! This Festival of Lights, join PJFM for drinks, latkes, and laughter galore with animated classic Eight Crazy Nights. To register, click here.
Being ___ at Christmas 2024
Wednesday, Dec. 25 | 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
Join for a day of family fun, Being ____ at Christmas. Let’s get groovy, crafty and jolly! From top to bottom, the Museum will be jam-packed with performances and activities for members and visitors of all ages. Don’t miss make-and-take crafts, including winter-themed foam sticker picture frames, paper lanterns, paper crowns, and coloring sheets; story time; and a sensory-friendly play zone with a foam floor, blocks, and puzzles. The fun doesn’t stop there: enjoy classic winter movies throughout the day in the Dell Theater, and explore the Museum’s core exhibition, checking out all of the excitement across five floors. To register, click here.
The Know-How of Knowing How
Thursday, Jan. 2 | 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Congregation Tifereth Israel
Seth Kovnat, an engineer with experience at SpaceX and other top tech companies, will share his journey and timeless lessons about innovation, teamwork and overcoming challenges. To register, click here.
Makom Community House Warming Shabbat Weekend
Friday, Jan. 10 - Saturday, Jan. 11
Makom Community
A weekend of Makom style Tefilah (prayer), learning, playing and growing as a community. There will be child playtime, adult learning and socializing moments. To register, click here.
Community Meeting: Meet the Mural Artist
Sunday, Jan. 12 | 2 - 3:30 p.m.
Virtual
Join the Philadelphia Holocaust Remembrance Foundation and Mural Arts Philadelphia for an event to learn about the Holocaust Memorial Plaza’s mural project and artist Ella Ponizovsky Bergelson’s vision for the mural. To register, click here.
Souls Shot Portrait Project
Monday, Feb. 3 | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Beth Am Israel
The Souls Shot Portrait Project connects fine artists with families or friends of victims of gun violence. The artists meet with the victims’ loved ones to learn about the lives they lived and create diverse works that in some way relay the essence of the person being portrayed. Through these intimate collaborations, the project aims to memorialize the victims and raise awareness about gun violence. To learn more, click here.
JRA Food Distribution
Sunday, Feb. 9, March 23, April 27, May 18, June 22, July 20, Aug. 10, Sept. 14, Oct.26, Nov. 16 and Dec.14 | 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
JRA Warehouse
Join this month's distribution and help pack and deliver food for low-income individuals across the Greater Philadelphia area. From 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., join JRA Juniors for ages ten and under to pack boxes and enjoy stories and crafts. Starting at 10:00 a.m., packing for ages ten and older will begin. To register, click here.
Poetry Workshop
Thursday, Feb. 13 | 7:30 - 8:45 p.m.
Beth Am Israel
Cathy Cohen is a gifted poet, artist and teacher. Cathy will read and talk about poetry, and guide those who would like to "take a stab" at expressing themselves through poetry. Writing and sharing poetry is not required. Each year this has been a lovely and meaningful gathering of folks to enjoy sharing, listening, or both. To register, click here.
Celebrating Black Jewish Voices
Thursday, Feb. 20 | 4 - 7 p.m.
Drexel University
The Laurie Wagman Initiative in Jewish Studies in collaboration with Drexel's Africana Studies Program and the Pennoni Honors College cordially invite you to a very special one-time live event featuring guests Westside Gravy, rapper; Rebecca S'manga Frank, actress and writer; Fabulous Flores, Holocaust awareness educator; Debra Bowen, rabbi; Rachel Moon, fashion blogger; Brandy Shufutinsky, journalist and activist; Dmitri Shufutinsky, journalist and author; and Gulienne Rollins-Rishon, advocate and dialogue facilitator. To register, click here.
“Yellow Piano" Event for the Hostages
Sunday, Feb. 23 | 2 - 3:30 p.m.
Kaiserman JCC, Wynnewood
Alon Ohel, a gifted pianist, was abducted by Hamas from the Nova music festival on Oct 7. His whereabouts are currently unknown. Alon’s family installed a yellow piano in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square with a sign “You Are Not Alone.” Since then, yellow pianos have been installed in cities around the world, encouraging people to play in support of all the hostages. The Kaiserman JCC is bringing the Yellow Piano to Philadelphia. Join for a musical event to raise awareness of Alon’s story and the stories of all those who remain in captivity in Gaza. Several musicians will perform and we will hear a moving message from Alon’s mother, Idit. Through music, let’s send Alon and the other hostages love, strength, and the reassuring message that they are not alone. To register, click here.
KUGEL: Episodes 1 + 2 - Sneak Preview
Tuesday, Feb. 25 | 2 - 8:30 p.m.
Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
Years before Akiva Shtisel and Libi (Hadas Naron, FILL THE VOID) crossed paths, KUGEL takes us to Antwerp, Belgium, where Nuchem (Sasson Gabay, THE BAND'S VISIT), a charming yet rule-bending jewelry dealer, juggles ambition, love and family drama. As his marriage crumbles, his daughter, Libi, dreams of becoming a writer — until a chance encounter on an Antwerp tram changes everything. Told with the humor and heart that made SHTISEL a global sensation, KUGEL explores love, ambition, and the delicate balance between tradition and individuality. From the creators of SHTISEL, this is a deliciously complex story you won’t want to miss! To register, click here.
Shishi Israeli - Family Celebration!
Friday, Feb. 28 | 5:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Kaiserman JCC
Join the Israeli American Council and Kaiserman JCC for a warm and joyful Shabbat gathering, bringing together families, friends and community. Enjoy an evening filled with music, dancing and delicious food and celebrating the spirit of togetherness. To register, click here.
Documentary Film - Campus Antisemitism, at Har Zion Temple, Penn Valley
Tuesday, March 4 | 7 - 9 p.m.
Har Zion Temple
A must-see film about the threat to Jewish life on campus, told through the voices and experiences of students. The film will be followed by a panel with Executive Producer Leonard Gold. To register, click here.
Commonwealth Youth Choir Concert Honoring HAMEC Survivors
Wednesday, March 5 | 7 - 8:24 p.m.
Keneseth Israel Synagogue
Commonwealth Youth Choir will sing to local Holocaust survivors. Audience members will also have a meet and greet with survivors after the concert. This is a very special opportunity to come and honor our local Holocaust survivors. Families are encouraged to attend! To register, click here.
Israeli Film festival Opening Night Movie and Reception - ‘Bliss’
Saturday, March 22 | 8 - 11:30 p.m.
Weitzman National Jewish Museum of American Jewish History
Step into the lives of Sassi and Efi, an endearing couple whose love and humor light up the screen in Shemi Zarhin's acclaimed film Bliss. As they navigate the struggles of life, including the debts left behind by Sassi’s estranged son, their world is suddenly shaken by the arrival of two young men. Sassi’s free-spirited grandson, and a former student of Efi, bring unexpected challenges and revelations that test the strength of their relationship. With a delicate balance of warmth, wit, and raw emotion, Bliss is a profound exploration of love, loyalty, and the bonds that define us. To learn more and register, click here.
Ramah Day at JRA
Sunday, March 23 | 9 - 11:15 a.m.
JRA Warehouse
Join Ramah Day Camp and Camp Ramah in the Poconos for a morning of volunteering. Help pack and deliver food for low-income individuals across the Greater Philadelphia area. To register, email leannek@ramahpoconos.org.
‘Children of nobody’ - Israeli movie (English subtitles) followed by Q&A with Director Erez Tadmor
Sunday, March 23 | 3:30 - 6 p.m.
Weitzman National Jewish Museum of American Jewish History
Set in Tel Aviv’s Neve Tzedek neighborhood, Children of Nobody follows Jackie (Roy Assaf), a former at-risk youth, who inherits the responsibility of running a crumbling shelter for neglected and abused teens after the passing of its founder, Margalit (Tiki Dayan). When the shelter faces demolition to make way for a boutique hotel, Jackie and the residents band together to challenge the municipality and fight for the only home they’ve ever known. Directed by Erez Tadmor (A Matter of Size, The Art of Waiting, both screened at the Israeli Film Festival of Philadelphia), this gripping tale captures the struggles of marginalized youth and the power of community. To learn more and register, click here.
Israeli Movie(English subtitles) ‘Soda’
Sunday, March 23 | 7 - 9:30 p.m.
Weitzman National Jewish Museum of American Jewish History
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Sea of Galilee in 1956, Soda tells the powerful story of Eva, a seamstress whose arrival in a close-knit community of Holocaust survivors sets off a storm of emotions and questions. As whispers about her past as a possible Kapo during the Holocaust spread, Eva finds herself at the center of a moral conflict. This heart-wrenching narrative explores love, redemption, and the scars of history that refuse to fade. To learn more and register, click here.
‘His Own Way’ Documentary Israeli Film (English subtitles) Narberth Movie Theatre
Tuesday, March 25 | 7 - 9 p.m.
Reel Cinemas Narberth Stadium 2
Dive into the extraordinary career of Avi Nesher, one of Israeli cinema’s most iconic filmmakers. This captivating documentary chronicles Nesher’s remarkable journey through five decades of filmmaking, from his groundbreaking debut with The Troupe to beloved classics like Turn Left at the End of the World and The Matchmaker. Combining personal anecdotes, behind-the-scenes stories, and interviews with family, colleagues, and film scholars, the film paints a vivid portrait of the man behind the lens. To learn more and register, click here.
Israeli Moving Drama ‘Midlife’ (English subtitles)
Thursday, March 27 | 7 - 9 p.m.
Reel Cinemas Narberth Stadium 2
Midlife is a deeply moving Israeli drama that explores themes of faith, family, and transformation through the intertwined lives of two sisters. When Ahinoam leaves her ultra-Orthodox husband, she seeks refuge with her estranged sister Sari. Sari, who has long abandoned their religious upbringing, struggles with her own marital issues and a health crisis, creating a tense and emotional reunion. As Ahinoam rebuilds her life within a spiritual community in the West Bank, the sisters grapple with their shared history, divergent paths, and the possibility of reconciliation. To register, click here.
‘The Ring,’ a Tale of Survival Movie, Hebrew with English Subtitles
Saturday, March 29 | 9 - 11:30 p.m.
Gratz College
The Ring is a poignant tale of survival, redemption, and family inspired by true events. In 1944 Hungary, a young Jewish mother saves herself and her infant son from deportation by bribing a soldier with her cherished ring. Decades later in Israel, her son, now an observant Jew and estranged from his daughter, sets out to recover the ring as his mother’s health declines. To register, click here.
TikTok Tova: Voice of Survival – Combating Antisemitism and Advancing Holocaust Education
Sunday, March 30 | 2 - 3 p.m.
Holocaust Awareness Museum
This event offers a rare and powerful opportunity to hear from Tova Friedman, a Holocaust survivor who was a child in Auschwitz. Friedman will share her deeply personal story, providing a unique perspective on the Holocaust that will leave a lasting impact. In addition to sharing her testimony, Friedman has embraced the digital age, connecting with a new generation through her TikTok account, TovaTok (@TovaFriedman). With over 500,000 followers and 10 million likes, she engages Gen Z innovatively and meaningfully. To learn more and register, click here.
‘Matchmaking 2,’ A delightful romantic Israeli comedy (English subtitles)
Sunday, March 30 | 6 - 9 p.m.
Weitzman National Jewish Museum of American Jewish History
Matchmaking 2 (2024), directed by Erez Tadmor, is the delightful sequel to the acclaimed romantic comedy Matchmaking (screened at the Israeli Film Festival of Philadelphia in 2023). Returning to the vibrant world of macthmaking in the Orthodox Jewish community, the film offers a fresh and witty exploration of love, relationships, and tradition. To register, click here.
Adult Paperclips Trip
Monday, May 5 - Wednesday, May 7
Visit the Children's Holocaust Memorial (Paperclip Museum), Whitwell, TN. Experience an emotional 3 days with the children who are ambassadors for the project and the principal and teachers who bring to life the principles of diversity and the implications of hatred and intolerance. Activities include a service in their authentic rail-car, exploration of artifacts and letters, as well as meeting residents of Whitwell and some coal miners. Anti-semitism is growing, but this town supports Jews, they live the principle of love your neighbor as yourself and are handing this down to their children. There is HOPE! Join us on this meaningful trip. (Fly as a group, all food is kosher, modern bus transport, stay at Hampton Inn (Hilton). To learn more, email Marcia Levinson at marciafaye01@gmail.com.
Tribe 12 Fellowship: Launch Night 2025
Tuesday, May 6 | 6 - 9 p.m.
The 15th annual Tribe 12 Fellowship Launch Night is here! Be the first to witness the unveiling of 12 socially-conscious businesses, nonprofits, and projects poised to make a difference in our community, city, and beyond. Participants will hear firsthand from our 2025 Tribe 12 Fellows as pitch their ventures live on stage. To learn more, click here.
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The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia's Kehillah initiative works to foster vibrant Jewish communities. You can learn more about the Center City Kehillah by visiting jewishphilly.org/centercity or by contacting Community Engagement Specialist Noah Schoenberg at nschoenberg@jewishphilly.org.
Want to see other events happening in your community? Click here to see the community calendar.
