On behalf of the Jewish Federation and the Greater Philadelphia community, we extend our deepest gratitude to Michael Markman for his leadership and service as board chair of the Jewish Federation from September 2023 to August 2025.
Markman began his role at a at a particularly challenging time for the Jewish community, just one month price to the Oct. 7 attack on the people of Israel. Despite this unique challenge, Markman brought the community together to mourn, to heal and to stand united.
Two days after the Philly Stands With Israel Rally and inspired hope in a time of fear. offering strength and unity when our community needed it the most. Markman then led the march of over 5000 people from City Hall to the Liberty Bell, being an example of showing up with Jewish pride and speaking up for our Jewish brothers and sisters when they needed our help. Over his two years as board chair, Markman's voice continued to be one of assurance and resilience, whether speaking at the Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony: Chanukah Celebration or Annual Meeting.
Beyond public messages to the community. Markman was instrumental in our fundraising efforts by leaning into his business acumen and helping guide us towards a more stable financial future with focus on reducing debt, optimizing our real estate holdings and homing our operational priorities.
Through it all, he upheld his passion for serving all Jews who need a helping hand, such as in Gondar, Ethiopia. Following a 2022 visit to Ethiopia, Markman turned to the Jewish Federation's Jewish Federation Real Estate group leadership-and together they worked with the nonprofit Struggle to Save Ethiopian Jewry to set up a medical clinic to care for Ethiopian Jews as they awaited aliyah to Israel.
Markman's dedication and commitment to the Jewish Federation's mission, locally and globally, has and continues to be a driving force for positive change. We thank him for his contributions that will be felt for years to come, and we look forward to his continued leadership as the immediate post chair.
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Since 1901, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia has served as the hub of the region’s Jewish communities, providing an infrastructure of support for Jewish people and organizations in need. Through grants, emergency funding, restricted gifts, endowments with our Jewish Community Foundation, and our partnership with the Foundation for Jewish Day Schools, we invest millions each fiscal year to care for those in need, support Israel and global Jewry, and secure a vibrant Jewish future. For more information, please visit: jewishphilly.org.