The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Jewish Federation Real Estate (JFRE) group awarded more than $645,400 to support 18 capital projects for Fiscal Year 2026.

Fueled by the generosity of JFRE members, who support the JFRE Fund through annual membership dues, these projects in Greater Philadelphia and Israel will receive vital funding to create welcoming places for people to safely congregate, worship and learn in.

“Since our group’s founding in 2008, JFRE has been here to invest in our Jewish community’s present and future through capital projects,” said Malina Robbins, JFRE Executive Committee and Appropriations Sub-Committee member.

As a result of the unprecedented global and local rise in antisemitism, JFRE largely focused this year’s funding on security projects that protect the community from increased threats of Jewish hate.

“With another year marked by an unprecedented rise in antisemitism, I am proud of our grants this year, which will safeguard our institutions so that they can provide spaces and opportunities for our Jewish community to connect with each other and with their Jewish identity, without fear of threat, intimidation or discrimination,” Robbins continued.

Learn more about JFRE’s latest grantee organizations below:

GREATER PHILADELPHIA GRANTEES

Ann Newman Preschool at Temple Beth Sinai
Ann Newman Preschool at Temple Beth Sinai has been a staple in the community for over 50 years, serving children ages 6 weeks through 5 years old. The organization’s early childhood development program allows each child to reach their fullest potential while embracing Jewish values. JFRE’s grant will permit the installation of vehicle impact bollards in front of the playground and building — providing an added layer of protection to both gathering congregants and children at play.

Camp Havaya
Camp Havaya is a Reconstructionist Jewish overnight camp located in the Poconos Mountains. Recognized as among the most diverse Jewish camps in North America, Havaya is proud to welcome campers of color, the LGBTQ+ community, interfaith backgrounds, and across the religious spectrum. With support from the JFREFund, the camp will install a generator connected to its main building to safeguard the wellbeing of campers and staff in the event of an emergency or power outage. 

Chabad House at the University of Pennsylvania
The Chabad House is a center for Jewish life, learning and gathering on the University of Pennsylvania’s campus. Each Friday, approximately 250 Penn students attend weekly Chabad House events, from mentoring sessions to Shabbat dinners. With antisemitism on the rise at universities nationwide, JFRE’s grant will support essential security upgrades to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff. 

Congregation Beth Israel of Media
Congregation Beth Israel, a Reconstructionist synagogue located in Media, PA, is home to a community of 180 families. The JFRE Fund will support the replacement of three sets of interior entryways, promoting the safety and functionality of the synagogue’s shared spaces. 

Congregation Shir Ami
Congregation Shir Ami is a Reform synagogue in Newtown, PA, serving more than 500 families. With support from the JFRE Fund, the congregation will perform security upgrades to three main entryways to ensure safe, controlled and efficient building access for all members and visitors. 

Congregation Tiferes B’nai Israel
Congregation Tiferes B’nai Israel was founded in 1924 and is the oldest continuously operating synagogue in Bucks County. A JFRE Fund grant will allow the congregation to replace two deteriorating entrance and exit doorways, improving both security and accessibility for all who enter its historic space. 

KleinLife
KleinLife is a vibrant Jewish community center in Northeast Philadelphia that provides a wide range of social, educational and cultural programming for individuals of all ages — from preschoolers to seniors. The organization also offers a plethora of health, wellness and social services to members, many of whom are Russian and Ukrainian immigrants. With support from the JFRE Fund, the center will upgrade and replace their original security doors in the 50-year-old facility. 

Morris and Rose Caskey Torah Academy
Caskey Torah Academy is an Orthodox Jewish day school that educates nearly 400 students from preschool through eighth grade. With a strong commitment to academic excellence and Jewish values, the school fosters a nurturing environment for young learners. A grant from the JFRE Fund will support the replacement of six aging exterior doors to enable children and staff to enjoy a safe and secure school community. 

Ohev Shalom of Bucks County
Ohev Shalom of Bucks County is a Conservative synagogue dedicated to serving the spiritual, educational, cultural, civic and social needs of its members. With support from the JFREFund, the congregation will install a chair lift on the second floor, which houses a large, multi-purpose space for worship services, social events, gatherings, and the synagogue’s main offices. 

Politz Yeshiva & Bais Yaakov
Politz Yeshiva & Bais Yaakov is an Orthodox Jewish day school in Northeast Philadelphia, serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade. A JFRE Fund grant will enable critical upgrades to the school’s intercom, access control and 911 emergency response systems to strengthen campus security. 

Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel
Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel in Elkins Park, PA has served the Philadelphia Jewish community with distinction since 1847. The synagogue, which currently serves nearly 800 families, offers many different worship opportunities, provides education for all ages, and hosts social action and outreach programs. A JFRE grant will support the replacement of exterior doors and the installation of an access control panel.

Rose and Morris Caskey Gan Israel Camps of Greater Philadelphia
Camp Gan Israel is a ten-acre day camp in Collegeville, PA offering a welcoming and inclusive approach to Jewish education. The camp is rooted in Ahavat Yisrael, an unconditional love for every Jew regardless of background or experience. The JFRE Fund grant will support vital security infrastructure, including enhanced perimeter fencing, to help provide safe play and secure facilities throughout the summer. 

ISRAEL GRANTEES

Community Centers Network: Kiryat Shmona
The Community Centers Network in Kiryat Shmona works together with the local municipality, carrying out and coordinating all community-related activities in Kiryat Shmona. The JFRE Fund grant will support the renovation and establishment of a shelter to host activities for children and youth. 

OneDay Tikkun Olam
OneDay Tikkun Olam, also known as OneDay Social Volunteering, is an international non-profit organization that encourages young people ages 18-35 to volunteer in community activities. A JFRE Fund grant will allow for the organization to purchase equipment to help train rescue teams of volunteers across Israel, giving them the skills to respond effectively to emergencies in their local communities. 

Moshav Sharsheret
Moshav Sharsheret was established in 1951 by immigrants from Tunisia and is located next to the Gaza border. The moshav is located in Sdot Negev, which is part of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Partnership2Gether region. JFRE’s grant will renovate a safe room, which is a part of a community youth club, for teens to be able to socialize and participate in activities without fear of threat. This project is part of Adopt-a-Community, the Jewish Federation’s initiative to rebuild and refortify Sdot Negev’s 16 communities.

Moshav Zeru'a
Moshav Zeru'a was established in the early 1950s during the first stages of Negev’s development and consisted of families who immigrated from Morocco. The moshav is located in Sdot Negev, which is part of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Partnership2Gether region. JFRE’s grant will renovate a mobile shelter that is adjacent to a youth club, so that teens can safely participate in after-school activities. This project is part of Adopt-a-Community, the Jewish Federation’s initiative to rebuild and refortify Sdot Negev’s 16 communities.

Nirim
The Nirim Organization provides youth-at-risk, ages 14-18, with an opportunity to overcome their harsh life circumstances, and become self-confident and successful contributing members of society. The JFRE Fund will provide security upgrades to Nirim’s farm facilities — located about 900 yards from the Syrian border — with fencing, cameras, safe pathways and emergency equipment. 

Upper Galilee Regional Council
Located on the northeastern edge of Israel, the Upper Galilee Regional Council serves 29 kibbutzim and offers a wide range of services, including education, cultural and regional activities. The JFRE Fund grant will support the installation of a high-tech security pole equipped with an advanced camera system. This system will provide real-time alerts to the control center in the event of missile strikes, natural disasters or terrorist infiltrations — ensuring a rapid, coordinated emergency response. 

***

The Jewish Federation Real Estate (JFRE) group brings professionals together to learn, network and lead the way in creating a more secure Jewish world through philanthropic investments. Founded in 2008, JFRE is a membership-based affinity group of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia.

For more information about JFRE and how to become a member, visit jewishphilly.org/JFRE or email jfre@jewishphilly.org.