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

News

THIRD QUARTER REPORT

In the third quarter, November 1, 2009 through January 31, 2010, the Female Hebrew Benevolent Society distributed $21,285 in direct aid to Jewish women in financial crisis.  Seventeen women, ten new to FHBS, received $10,344 in emergency aid; the average grant was $492.  Top areas of need were dental, medical bills or supplies and rent or mortgage payments.

Fifty-one women had the use of a personal emergency response system during the quarter.  Cost for the three months was $3,750.  Equipment was used to call for assistance on nine occasions by eight different women. Following is an account from a care manager describing what happened on October 30, 2009 when her client used the call button to summon help:

“Who knows what would have happened to H without Lifeline on that day.  She fell and was hospitalized for two weeks.  Her doctor told her she would never be able to live alone again.  Her son had been trying to get her to move to Houston for several years, but H had been refusing.  I discussed it with her many times.  Now she had no choice.  I have spoken to the son a few times during the years I have worked with H.  He has always presented as a very caring child who respects his mother’s wishes to do what she wants to do, even though he might disagree with her.  He said he has applied for her to move into a beautiful, Jewish assisted living facility near his home – and I might add that he said he would pay the bills if need be.  In the meantime, he has already involved H in the JCC.  He feels that she has totally turned around.  She was very depressed and lonely here, and she cried a lot.  FYI, she is a Holocaust survivor and every bit of news that effected Jews was upsetting to her.  She is going to be so much better now.  …I guess you do not get to hear too often the behind-the-scenes stories of the ladies you help.  This is such a good outcome for H.”  FB, Care Manager, JFCS/Department of Senior Services

Eleven women received a monthly stipend in amounts ranging from $50-$175. Commitment for the quarter was $5,350.

FHBS pays for the rental of stairglides in the homes of five women, most of whom are Holocaust survivors. Total fee for the six-month period from 11/1/09-4/30/10 was $1,845.

Overhead for the quarter was less than 1%.

Since May 1, the beginning of the fiscal year, FHBS has assisted 159 unduplicated clients.