Jewish Relief Agency
Jewish Relief Agency
  • Home
  • Annual Event 2022
  • About
    • Impact
    • Our Story
    • Staff
    • Job Opportunities
    • Contact
  • Get Help
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer Now
    • Volunteer Programs
    • Volunteer Calendar
    • Volunteer FAQs
  • Donate
    • Donate Now
    • Donate By Mail
    • Period Packs Project
    • Honor and Memorial Gifts
    • Mishloach Manot Cards
    • Matching Gifts
    • Stocks and Bonds
    • AmazonSmile
  • More
    • Home
    • Annual Event 2022
    • About
      • Impact
      • Our Story
      • Staff
      • Job Opportunities
      • Contact
    • Get Help
    • Volunteer
      • Volunteer Now
      • Volunteer Programs
      • Volunteer Calendar
      • Volunteer FAQs
    • Donate
      • Donate Now
      • Donate By Mail
      • Period Packs Project
      • Honor and Memorial Gifts
      • Mishloach Manot Cards
      • Matching Gifts
      • Stocks and Bonds
      • AmazonSmile
  • Home
  • Annual Event 2022
  • About
    • Impact
    • Our Story
    • Staff
    • Job Opportunities
    • Contact
  • Get Help
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer Now
    • Volunteer Programs
    • Volunteer Calendar
    • Volunteer FAQs
  • Donate
    • Donate Now
    • Donate By Mail
    • Period Packs Project
    • Honor and Memorial Gifts
    • Mishloach Manot Cards
    • Matching Gifts
    • Stocks and Bonds
    • AmazonSmile

Our Mission

 The Jewish Relief Agency brings together individuals of all means, ages and backgrounds to address our community’s physical, social and spiritual needs, satisfying our unique desire to take care of each other and do good in the world. Built on the foundation of our monthly food distribution, our programs relieve the pangs of hunger, bring meaning to our recipients and volunteers, and build a caring and connected community. 

About Us

Jewish Relief Agency (JRA) was founded in 2000 as a volunteer-led hunger-relief organization working to inspire volunteerism in Philadelphia, under the conviction that no member of our community should be hungry. Today, JRA continues to create positive change by bringing people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities together each month to fulfill its mission.


Jewish Relief Agency serves over 6,200 diverse, low-income individuals across Greater Philadelphia, by relieving hunger, improving lives, and strengthening our community. Through a monthly Food Distribution Program, JRA harnesses the power of hundreds of volunteers to deliver kosher, nutritious food assistance and essential home supplies to thousands of low-income households each month. 


Although many organizations are working to fight hunger in Philadelphia, very few deliver directly to the homes in need. Home delivery alleviates several barriers food-insecure families may face such as the need to leave the house, lack of transportation, or access to healthy foods in nearby markets. Many of the individuals JRA serves, often elderly or disabled, are also experiencing some level of isolation, which has only been heightened by the Covid-19 pandemic. Through JRA’s program model, the agency is able to provide valued food assistance along with a warm community connection. 

Board of Directors

Arthur Berkowitz

Tara Cherwony

Lorin Decker

Marc Erlbaum*

Daniel Erlbaum*

Howard Goldstein

Eric Haron

Greg Jaron*

Robin Katz

Steven Katz

Hal Leshner

Cara Levinson

Robert Lipstein

Michael Neil

Bill Novick, Board Chair*

Dena Parmet

Rabbi Menachem Schmidt*

Rachel Schwartz

Mitch Sterling

Shelby Zitelman


*Designates member of Executive Committee

Providing Food and Everyday Essentials

Providing Food and Everyday Essentials

JRA provides a monthly box of nutritious food weighing about 15 lbs. that includes vegetables, carbohydrates, proteins, fruits, and fresh produce in the eight months of the year when refrigeration is not necessary. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, JRA has increased its offerings by providing critical household goods like toilet paper and dish soap, and PPE in the form of face masks. In addition to the monthly box, JRA's Family Friendly Food Initiative provides over 700 children and their families a bag of child-approved foods such as peanut butter, jelly, granola bars, pretzels, and fruit cups. Many of our seniors and families with children also receive an Everyday Essentials bag, which provides important household goods, such as shampoo, laundry detergent, toilet paper, soap, incontinence supplies, and diapers. 

A Portrait of Our Clients

A Portrait of Our Clients

In Philadelphia, 23% of seniors are living in poverty and 1 in 5 children are struggling with hunger. JRA provides free food and essential household items to 3,800 food-insecure households in the 5-county Greater Philadelphia area and parts of southern New Jersey. JRA's programs are open to anyone living in our delivery region with a household income at or below 150% of the federal poverty guildline, regardless of their religion, age, race, ethnicity, or background. Our clients include homebound older adults, children, persons experiencing housing instability, Holocaust survivors, individuals with intellectual disabilities, refugees, and persons facing temporary financial emergencies. 

Jewish Relief Agency

225 E. City Avenue, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania 19004, United States

610-660-0190

STAY IN TOUCH

Sign up to hear from us about agency updates, volunteer opportunities, and more!

Copyright © 2022 Jewish Relief Agency

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

Accept