- Jeffrey Lasday,  Senior Chief of External Affairs of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia

When I moved to Philadelphia three years ago, my wife Lori and I drove our realtor up a wall with our insistence on having an outdoor space. Not just any outdoor space, but space open to the sky without overhanging tree branches or porticos that would inhibit us from meeting the requirements for building a sukkah (a hut). So, on the one hand, we were very concerned that our new home would have stability with a solid, secure foundation. On the other hand, we were concerned about being able to build a flimsy shack that purposefully would shake in the wind and have enough gaps in the roof so that we could see the stars and the sky.

The week-long holiday of Sukkot begins five days after Yom Kippur, the day of atonement. Based on the lunar-solar Jewish calendar, there will always be a full “Harvest Moon” up in the sky on the first night of this harvest festival. We build sukkot to remind us of the huts the Israelites lived in during their 40 years of wandering in the desert and our fragile dependence upon G-d’s benevolence. During Sukkot, we thank G-d for a bountiful harvest and take time out of our busy lives to reflect on how fortunate we are in what we have. We may think that all we have derives from our own skill and hard work, but Sukkot comes around once a year to remind us that it is by the grace of G-d that we have what we have. Though the world may feel very secure inside our sturdy homes, the world is a very fragile place, not to be taken for granted. Shelter, health and wealth can be gone in an instant.

Those who farm the land know how tenuous life can be. One drought, one flood, one fire and a year's worth of work is gone. The fruit that is harvested today is dependent on those who planted before us. We are a link in a chain of those who came before us and those who will follow us.   

Just as a farmer’s harvest is dependent on the generations of those who worked the land before them, so is the sustaining of a bountiful Jewish community. Jewish communal institutions with deep roots and deep generational support can weather short-term challenges and be there for future generations.

Investing in communal endowments is one way to plant for the future and ensure future stability.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia has announced its planned giving and endowments program as the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Philadelphia, a dedicated branch of the Jewish Federation. This rebranding effort underscores a refined strategy designed to position the Foundation as the leading provider of philanthropic services for individuals, families and Jewish institutions. By aligning the Foundation's identity with the Jewish Federation’s broader mission, we are emphasizing our expertise in understanding the unique needs of our community, both locally and in Israel. The Foundation is committed to delivering personalized, top-tier services that empower donors to achieve their philanthropic visions and drive meaningful impact.

The Foundation manages our local Jewish community’s largest pool of endowments, totaling more than $380 million. These gifts make a significant impact in areas, such as hunger relief, education, older adult services and support for Israel — just to name a few. 

Endowments enable us to invest today in the Jewish community that we want to see tomorrow long after we are gone. For example:

• Jack Rappaort passed away in 2011 and through his generosity his endowment is sending five children to Jewish day school today.
• Charlotte and Harrison Schweig passed away many years ago and this year they provided over 1,500 Passover meals for those in need.
• Cis Golder passed away in 2006 and this year she is feeding impoverished community members, supporting frail seniors and providing trauma care services for individuals and families in Israel.

For years we took the security and stability of the American Jewish community and Israel for granted. Today we realize that our existence is just as precarious as that of our sukkah. 

To secure the future of our Jewish community and ensure that Jews can continue to live proudly and safely, our community endowment must grow to meet the challenges of our evolving reality.

***

About the Jewish Community Foundation

We are growing a better tomorrow, together.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Endowments Program is now the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Philadelphia, a branch of the Jewish Federation. Our name has changed to better highlight our steadfast commitment to providing top-tier, customized service to individuals, families and Jewish institutions. We help grow aspirations to create a better future and actualize them through smart investments today. 

With more than a century of experience in charitable giving, our expert team of professionals work with you one-on-one to channel your philanthropic dollars to make a lasting impact within the Jewish community and beyond for today and generations to come.