Michael Balaban's Update on the War in Israel

- Michael Balaban
Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia President and CEO

In this pivotal moment, we are called to act — with clarity, compassion and courage. Together, we are responding to the rise in antisemitism, strengthening the security of our community, investing in the next generation and finding new ways to show up for one another. Thanks to generous supporters, every action we take this month can go even further.

This week brought both a moment of relief and a painful reminder of all that remains unresolved. Edan Alexander, a U.S.-Israeli hostage, was released after more than 19 harrowing months in Hamas captivity. His freedom is a powerful symbol of perseverance and hope. Yet 58 hostages remain — their fate still uncertain and their families still waiting. We hold them in our hearts and refuse to look away.

In Israel, beginning last night, the IDF launched Operation Gideon Chariots in Gaza as an effort to bring a close to and eliminate the threat that Hamas continues to pose to the people of Israel. Thousands of reservists have been called up. May G-d bless and protect our soldiers fighting, and may all know peace in our lifetime.

Closer to home, a recent incident at Barstool Sansom Street served as a painful reminder that antisemitism is not an abstract issue — it is here, and it is real. When patrons ordered and displayed a sign mocking Jewish trauma, followed by one individual appearing on a white supremacist platform, it shook many in our city. These are not isolated acts of ignorance. They are acts of hate that deepen fear and erode the sense of safety every person deserves.

As our colleague, Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) Chief Jason Holtzman, wrote in a May 13 op-ed in The Philadelphia Inquirer: “Words like these don’t just offend; they deepen fear, inflame tension and contribute to a climate where people targeted question their safety in spaces that should feel like home.”

At the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, we are responding with meaningful action. We are expanding school and workplace programs, building coalitions across lines of difference, and pushing for consistency from leaders who share our belief that hate has no place in our city — not in our bars, not on our campuses, not in our silence.

This May, your gift can go twice as far. Through the Greater Than Hate campaign, every donation to the Center to Combat Antisemitism will be matched dollar for dollar. This match is made possible by Jessica and Jason Morgan and Leah and Jason Morganroth, two families who stepped forward to lead by example and inspire others to join them.

“The Center to Combat Antisemitism represents a proactive, multi-faceted approach—right here in the community where we are raising our children,” Jessica and Jason Morgan shared. “We felt a deep responsibility to stand up as leaders in the Jewish community.”

This momentum is already inspiring action. In response to the Barstool incident, a group of young Jewish Philadelphians quickly organized Not In Our City: Philly Against Antisemitism, a powerful evening of music, unity and Jewish pride. Held at Vinyl, the event welcomed Jewish and non-Jewish attendees alike and raised $10,000 in support of the Center to Combat Antisemitism and our Greater Than Hate campaign. Their message was bold and clear: “When they go low, we go חַי.” 

We’re also fostering critical conversations about how we engage as advocates for Israel in the current climate. The JCRC study group is convening a series of focused sessions in partnership with the Shalom Hartman Institute on the Diaspora-Israel connection in a post-Oct. 7 world — bringing together partners from ADL, AJC, IAC, ZOA, J Street, strategic thinkers and other emerging leaders who are committed to showing up with integrity and impact. For many in our community, Israel is more than a place on the map — it’s a homeland, a refuge, a part of who we are. These conversations are rooted in love, identity and an unshakable belief in our right to exist and thrive.

While we address today’s challenges, we are also building a more resilient Jewish future. A recent study by Prizmah: Center for Jewish Day Schools found that day school alumni are significantly more likely to feel connected to Israel, to value their Jewish identity and to participate in Jewish life during college. But for many families, tuition remains a major barrier.

Through Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit program, individuals can redirect their state tax dollars to fund scholarships for Jewish education — and receive a 90% tax credit. With more than $2 million in credits available now, there has never been a better time to get involved.

We’ve also continued to invest in protecting Jewish institutions across our region. Our security team has conducted dozens of assessments and consultations, helping 13 Jewish organizations receive nearly $1 million in state and federal grants to address critical vulnerabilities. A new database built with the Secure Community Network is helping us identify and address the most urgent risks strategically, rather than one institution at a time.

And through it all — through the heartbreak, the headlines and the moments of hope — we continue to show up. 

I want to take a moment to acknowledge just how difficult this season has been. As a Jewish Philadelphian, I’ve felt both anger and heartbreak watching our community be targeted. But I’ve also felt something else — something more powerful. I’ve felt immense pride in how we continue to respond: with resilience, with creativity and with love. Whether by honoring our fallen, dancing in solidarity or simply asking, “How can I help?” — you have shown what it means to be part of something greater than hate.

Thank you for standing with us. Together, we are not just responding — we are leading, learning, and building a Jewish future that is proud, powerful, and enduring.

***