--- title: Your Giving Changes Lives description: As we welcome this season of gratitude, thank YOU for helping us care for, inspire and connect with our Jewish communities each and every day. image: https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hubfs/Avi%20300x175%20(3).jpg --- [![Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hubfs/JewishFederation_May2019/images/logo--color.svg)](https://jewishphilly.org/) - [Philly Stands With Israel](https://go.jewishphilly.org/philly-stands-with-israel) - - [Donate to Philly Stands with Israel Fund](https://donate.jewishphilly.org/page/66252/donate/1) - [Community Resources](https://jewishphilly.org/philly-stands-with-israel-resources/) - [Emergency Allocations](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/donate-emergency-response-fund/emergency-allocations/) - - [Advocate](https://jewishphilly.org/philly-stands-with-israel-resources/advocate/) - [Israel in the News](https://go.jewishphilly.org/israel-in-the-news) - [Sign up for Israel Emergency Emails](https://go.jewishphilly.org/israel-emergency-emails) - [Who We Are](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/) - - [About](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/about/) - [History](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/history/) - [Our Impact](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/our-impact/) - [Financials](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/financials/) - [Program Evaluation](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/program-evaluation/) - - [Leadership & Governance](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/leadership/) - [Ethics and Organizational Oversight](https://jewishphilly.org/ethics-and-organizational-oversight/) - [Careers](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/careers/) - [Contact Us](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/contact-us/) - [Sign Up for Emails](https://go.jewishphilly.org/jewish-federation-email-sign-up) - [Ways to Give](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/) - - [Donate Now](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/donate-now/) - [Give Monthly](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/give-monthly/) - [Donate a Vehicle](https://jewishphilly.careasy.org/HOME.html) - [Jewish Community Foundation](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/Jewish%20Community%20Foundation) - [Life & Legacy Program](https://jewishphilly.org/life-and-legacy/) - - [Philanthropic Donor Advised Funds](https://jewishphilly.giftplans.org/index.php?cID=247) - [Tribute E-Cards](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/tribute-cards/) - [Giving Societies](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/giving-societies/) - [EITC](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/eitc/) - - Your gift matters. - Your donation to the Jewish Federation has a big impact, rippling through our community and around the world, providing resources to meet urgent needs today and build a bright future. - [Get Involved](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/) - - [Events Calendar](https://jewishphilly.org/events-calendar) - [Signature Events](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/signature-events/) - [Affinity Groups](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/affinity-groups/) - [Volunteer](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/volunteer/) - 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[Apply for Grants](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/apply-for-grants/) - [Security](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/security/) - [News](https://go.jewishphilly.org/news) - [Philly Stands With Israel](https://go.jewishphilly.org/philly-stands-with-israel) - - [Donate to Philly Stands with Israel Fund](https://donate.jewishphilly.org/page/66252/donate/1) - [Community Resources](https://jewishphilly.org/philly-stands-with-israel-resources/) - [Emergency Allocations](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/donate-emergency-response-fund/emergency-allocations/) - - [Advocate](https://jewishphilly.org/philly-stands-with-israel-resources/advocate/) - [Israel in the News](https://go.jewishphilly.org/israel-in-the-news) - [Sign up for Israel Emergency Emails](https://go.jewishphilly.org/israel-emergency-emails) - [Who We Are](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/) - - [About](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/about/) - [History](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/history/) - [Our Impact](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/our-impact/) - [Financials](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/financials/) - [Program Evaluation](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/program-evaluation/) - - [Leadership & Governance](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/leadership/) - [Ethics and Organizational Oversight](https://jewishphilly.org/ethics-and-organizational-oversight/) - [Careers](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/careers/) - [Contact Us](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/contact-us/) - [Sign Up for Emails](https://go.jewishphilly.org/jewish-federation-email-sign-up) - [Ways to Give](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/) - - [Donate Now](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/donate-now/) - [Give Monthly](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/give-monthly/) - [Donate a Vehicle](https://jewishphilly.careasy.org/HOME.html) - [Jewish Community Foundation](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/Jewish%20Community%20Foundation) - [Life & Legacy Program](https://jewishphilly.org/life-and-legacy/) - - [Philanthropic Donor Advised Funds](https://jewishphilly.giftplans.org/index.php?cID=247) - [Tribute E-Cards](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/tribute-cards/) - [Giving Societies](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/giving-societies/) - [EITC](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/eitc/) - - Your gift matters. - Your donation to the Jewish Federation has a big impact, rippling through our community and around the world, providing resources to meet urgent needs today and build a bright future. - [Get Involved](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/) - - [Events Calendar](https://jewishphilly.org/events-calendar) - [Signature Events](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/signature-events/) - [Affinity Groups](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/affinity-groups/) - [Volunteer](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/volunteer/) - - [Neighborhood (Kehillot) Programming](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/neighborhood-programming/) - [Mission Trips](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/missions/) - [Jewish Professionals Organization (JPRO)](https://jewishphilly.org/jpro/) - [Resources](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/) - - [Supporting Ukraine](https://go.jewishphilly.org/supporting-ukraine) - [COVID-19 Relief](https://go.jewishphilly.org/combatting-covid-19) - [Population Study](https://jewishphilly.org/communityportrait/) - [Mitzvah Food Program](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/mitzvah-food-program/) - [Teen Programs](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/teen-programs/) - [Jewish Camping](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/jewish-camping/) - - [Scholarships](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/scholarships/) - [Jewish Community Relations Council](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/public-affairs/) - [Israel Engagement](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/israel-engagement/) - [Holocaust Education](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/holocaust-programming/) - [Apply for Grants](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/apply-for-grants/) - [Security](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/security/) - [News](https://go.jewishphilly.org/news) [Donate](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/donate-now/) [Donate](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/donate-now/) [Newsletter](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/newsletter/) [Login](https://jewishphilly.org/login/) [Board Login](https://jewishphilly.org/board-login/) Search Search the site: Search the site: [Newsletter](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/newsletter/) [Login](https://jewishphilly.org/login/) [Board Login](https://jewishphilly.org/board-login/) Search ## Jewish Philly Blog ![Your Giving Changes Lives](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hubfs/Avi%20300x175%20(3).jpg) ## December 15, 2021 # Your Giving Changes Lives As 2021 comes to a close, your generosity has impacted countless lives from around the world through supporting the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. The quotes below share how just some of those lives have been uplifted and irrevocably changed over the past year through the Jewish Federation’s funded services, programs and organizations.   **![Leah Koontz, South Philly Director of Makom ](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Leah%20Koontz%2c%20South%20Philly%20Director%20of%20Makom%20.webp?width=214&name=Leah%20Koontz%2c%20South%20Philly%20Director%20of%20Makom%20.webp)** > “This year I am leading Makom Community's second location in South Philly. Over the past few months, I have joyfully watched program attendees, campers, students and their families connect in this co-created environment uniquely suited to them. The Jewish Federation's support made this dream of a second location a reality for our growing enrichment center that creates family-centered Jewish experiences.” > > — Leah Koontz, South Philadelphia Director of Makom Community     ![Eden Saunders-1](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Eden%20Saunders-1.jpeg?width=300&name=Eden%20Saunders-1.jpeg) > “When I started Diller Teen, I had a strong connection with my Jewish identity and Israel. However, through Diller I have found a group of teens my age that I relate to. This has helped me learn so much about not just Judaism, but also things that go along with Judaism, like social justice, the environment and so much more. Diller has definitely helped me learn, grow and connect with my Jewish identity.” > > — Eden Saunders, Diller Teen Fellows Graduate     ![Leket recipient](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Leket%20recipient.png?width=284&name=Leket%20recipient.png) > “If not for the food that I receive through Leket Israel, I don’t know if I would have survived through these past few months. Some days, this food is the only food I eat all day.” > > > *—* Avi Ohanan, Israel - Leket Recipient (funded by the Jewish Federation)     ![Word Version - Zhanna from Ukraine - JDC](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Word%20Version%20-%20Zhanna%20from%20Ukraine%20-%20JDC.png?width=181&name=Word%20Version%20-%20Zhanna%20from%20Ukraine%20-%20JDC.png) > “I have lived through a famine and through World War II. But the isolation of lockdown has been the most difficult time of all. I truly feel that you care about me. Thank you for keeping me alive and keeping me sane!” > > *—* Zhanna, Ukraine - JDC Recipient (funded by the Jewish Federation)   \*\*\* **You can help change even more lives by making a gift to the Jewish Federation’s Jewish Community Fund. Visit[jewishphilly.org/donate](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/donate-now/) or call 215.832.3484 to make your gift before year’s end.**   Share [Share on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.jewishphilly.org/your-giving-changes-lives&title=Your%20Giving%20Changes%20Lives) [Share on Twitter](http://twitter.com/home?status=Your%20Giving%20Changes%20Lives+https://blog.jewishphilly.org/your-giving-changes-lives) [Share by Email](mailto:?subject=Your%20Giving%20Changes%20Lives&body=Your%20Giving%20Changes%20Lives%20-%20https://blog.jewishphilly.org/your-giving-changes-lives) ### Sign up for the *Jewish Philly* E-Newsletter [Back to The Latest](https://blog.jewishphilly.org) [Tweets by JFedinPhilly](https://twitter.com/JFedinPhilly?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) ## Find us on ![JFGP_KO_rgb](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hs-fs/hubfs/JFGP_KO_rgb.png?width=300&height=84&name=JFGP_KO_rgb.png) Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia Two Commerce Square 2001 Market Street, Suite 2300 Philadelphia, PA 19103 [215.832.0500](tel:1-215-832-0500) | [info@jewishphilly.org](mailto:info@jewishphilly.org) *The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia welcomes the participation of Jews across the religious spectrum, interfaith couples and families, and people of all abilities, backgrounds, gender identities, and sexual orientations. 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