Issa Kabeer is many things: an artist, Special Education Teacher, Jumpstart Team Leader, Emotional Therapist and an active NextGen community member.
Coming from a multifaith household, Kabeer was inspired to learn more about his Jewish identity and has since cultivated a strong voice and involvement in Greater Philadelphia's Jewish life.
“I was looking for Jewish community, and I finally found it. Once you get into one Jewish pocket, you kind of get into all of them,” said Kabeer, who serves on the NextGen Board. “They are all interconnected and it was a domino effect from there.”
Being a Special Education Teacher, Kabeer drew a deeper connection to the Jewish Federation after learning about the organization’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. For example, the Jewish Federation will invest more than $2.5 million in fiscal year 2023 to help achieve independence for Jewish individuals, allow adults to age with dignity and more.
“I know the Jewish Federation does a lot of work, but what inspires me the most is the vital work they do to help those in need – particularly those with special needs,” Kabeer continued.
NextGen spoke with Kabeer to learn more about his commitment and passion for the Jewish community.
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What are three fun facts about you?
1. I am an actor. I have done commercials, voice acting for video games, radio plays and produced films. You can check out my imdb page here.
2. I went to Don Bluth University for animation. It connects with my acting, since I want to do storyboarding. You can see some of my work on Instagram @supersilverhero.
3. I am a visual arts student at Barnes De Mazia, where I received a full scholarship from the Barnes Foundation.
How has your passion for art been influenced by your Jewish identity?
I am always very interested in artists who are Jewish. I just finished the Tribe 12 Fellowship, where my venture was “Faces of the Few: Peering through as a Jew.” My goal is to showcase the work of diverse Jewish artists of varying religious practices, genders and sexual orientations.
Throughout your leadership journey in the Jewish Federation, what have been some of your most memorable experiences?
I was a part of NextGen’s Leadership Development Program (LDP). During the LDP, we visited Judith Creed Horizons for Achieving Independence (JCHAI), which is supported by the Jewish Federation and provides innovative vocational and living programs for adults with intellectual disabilities. The experience was very transformative for me since, as a special needs teacher, this is an organization that I would love to volunteer with in the future.
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What is an organization, program or cause that the Jewish Federation supports that personally resonates with you?
The Jewish Federation’s support of Tribe 12 gave me the opportunity to network and connect with other young professionals. It also helped me grow and make a great impact with others in the community.
What drives your commitment to the Jewish community?
I come from a space of diversity, equity and inclusion. My mom is from an Ashkenazi background and my dad is from a South Asian background. Being Jewish and a person of color, it is important to share my voice within this space where so much good work is being done. I want to help honor these different voices and experiences within our community.
Why do you give to the Jewish Federation?
The Jewish Federation does really good work and I am proud to be a part of that mission. Being in the LDP, I saw firsthand how people are being taken care of in a dignified way and receiving the resources that they need.
I made the philanthropic step to be a part of NextGen’s Ben Gurion Society, because I know that it is going to make a true difference. I believe in philanthropy and that through giving, we can make an impact.
What advice would you give to someone who is just starting to get involved in NextGen?
This is for the next generation. Come and explore, come to an event, come meet the people, come be present and you will see the great work that is being done. And like me, I think you too will be inspired to help support this organization that is doing great work, tikkun olam (repair of the world), and mitzvot.
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NextGen is an affinity group of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia for leaders and philanthropists in their 20s, 30s and early 40s, who are looking to give back while building community. To learn more about NextGen, please email Susan Becker at sbecker@jewishphilly.org and follow us on Facebook.