Supporters

The seventeenth annual giving campaign raised $26,800, with contributions from 182 individual donors.

Generous gifts also came from Camp Council, Center for Leadership Development-Birthright Israel, The Good People Fund, Hannah Langendorf Fund, Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, Kelman-Brown Hebrew Academy, Men’s Club, Temple Beth Hillel/Beth El, Milken Family Foundation, Gloria Moldoff Memorial Fund, Rittenhouse Foundation, Gilroy and Lillian Roberts Charitable Foundation, Shabbat Dinner Club, The Susquehanna Foundation, United Way of SoutheasternPennsylvania and the Women of Vision Fund.

The sum of these donations enabled FHBS to increase outreach to Jewish women in crisis. We are grateful to have so many supporters who understand and embrace our mission

Board of Managers

  • Gabrielle Applebaum
  • Naomi Benditt
  • Juliet Englander**
  • Debra Felman
  • Rochelle Hirsh**
  • Barbara Jaffe
  • Elaine Katz*
  • Marlene Korn*
  • Carmel Levine
  • Joanne Lippert
  • Nancy Messinger
  • Rise Newman**
  • Eve Orlow
  • Judith Richards
  • Carol B. Shore
  • Eileen S. Sklaroff
  • Pamela Stein
  • Mirele Steinig*

*Emerita **Observer

Who Are We?

Preamble to the Constitution of the Female Hebrew Benevolent Society: In all communities the means of alleviating the sufferings of the poor are considered of high importance by the benevolent and the humane. The original subscribers, members of the Hebrew Congregation of Philadelphia, and citizens of the United States and of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, sensible to the calls of their small society, and desirous of rendering themselves useful to their indigent Sisters of the House of Israel, associated themselves together for the purposes of charity; and in order to make the benefit permanent, adopted this Constitution.

Founded 190-years ago by the women of Congregation Mikveh Israel and guided by Rebecca Gratz, the Female Hebrew Benevolent Society remains the oldest Jewish charity in continuous existence in the United States. It is also the first independent organization established by Jews to serve Jews in the City of Philadelphia. Philly Firsts by Janice L. Booker, credits Gratz’s pivotal role in organizing FHBS as the start of Jewish charitable organizations in Philadelphia today.

The Society is overseen by a board of 13-managers who act in a volunteer capacity, assuming responsibility for administration and almost all overhead. There are no paid employees. Future board members serve as observers at semiannual meetings and gradually take on tasks as their knowledge of and commitment to our mission increases.

FHBS concentrates on four specific areas of assistance: emergency aid, monthly stipends, personal emergency response systems for frail, elderly women and camp scholarships. All cases are considered individually, taking into account any extenuating circumstances. Requests are filled as the treasury permits, often within a 24-hour period. Referrals come from communal professionals at Jewish agencies who must screen the client to verify and prioritize her needs before making a recommendation to FHBS.

During fiscal year 2008-2009, over $139,000 was distributed to 238 unduplicated clients. Overhead was less than $4,200.