On Sept. 16, over 600 community members gathered for the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Main Event. The signature event, which was co-chaired by Sara and Adam Laver and Judy and Jerry Novick, returned to kick off the New Year and start a year-long celebration of the Jewish Federation’s 125th anniversary.

Featured speaker Dan Senor, host of the "Call Me Back" podcast and author of "The Genius of Israel,” shared his insights on Israel’s resilience and his hopes for the future. He concluded by reflecting on the incredible surge in Jewish life being witnessed today and the community’s collective responsibility to nurture and strengthen it. 

During the program, Jewish Federation President and CEO Michael Balaban thanked outgoing leadership and installed the new Board of Directors, including Board Co-Chairs Michele S. Levin and Mark Fishman.

“When you take on leadership of a 125-year-old organization, you can feel the voices of those who came before us — people who dreamed, who built, who sacrificed so that Jewish life in Greater Philadelphia would not just survive, but thrive,” Levin shared at the event.

Fishman continued: “But our greatest responsibility isn’t only to honor their legacy. It’s to make sure that 125 years from now, someone else is standing here saying, “They made sure we were ready for whatever came next.”

Campaign Co-Chairs George Danneman and Holly Nelson highlighted the role of the Jewish Community Fund in the Jewish Federation’s impact, celebrating its support for moments of joy, learning and tradition, while underscoring its importance in uniting the community in moments of crisis and driving Jewish life forward in times of strength.

“This campaign is more than numbers — it’s about people, about community, and about what we can accomplish together when we are Here as One,” said Dannenman to the attendees. “Over the past year, I’ve seen firsthand the generosity, commitment, and passion that fuel this campaign. And with Holly [Nelson] stepping into this leadership role, we’re adding even more energy, fresh ideas and vision to carry us forward.”

The evening also included the recognition of community members who included the Jewish Federation in their estate plans. The Jewish Federation’s Jewish Community Foundation Co-Chairs Susanna Lachs Adler and Karen Kramer inducted new Legacy Society members and paid tribute to those members who passed away.

The National Young Leadership Cabinet cohort and alumni gathered at the Levin Society pre-event reception to mingle and connect before the Main Event.

Over 600 attendees came together to kick off the new year, commemorate our collective impact, honor our dedicated leadership and recognize members of our Legacy Society.

The Jewish Federation’s Main Event Co-Chairs Judy and Jerry Novick and Sara and Adam Laver welcomed attendees and kicked off the Jewish Federation’s celebration of 125 years of impact in Greater Philadelphia. 

The Jewish Federation’s President and CEO Michael Balaban installed the Fiscal Year 2026 Board of Directors, thanked outgoing leadership.

Participants heard from Dan Senor, host of the "Call Me Back" podcast and author of "The Genius of Israel.”

New Legacy Society members were inducted and honored for their commitment to building a strong and thriving Jewish community for generations by including the Jewish Federation in their estate plans.

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Since 1901, the Jewish Federation 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, click here.