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A Community Update & Call to Action

By Steven Roth
Board Chair, Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg

As I enter my third month as Board Chair of the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg (JFGH), I want to share a transparent and hopeful update on where we are as an organization, the progress we are making together, and how our community can play an essential role in shaping a strong and vibrant Jewish future here in Greater Harrisburg.

Celebrating Momentum and Impact in 2025

The past year reflects meaningful momentum and clear evidence of what our community can accomplish when we work together:

  • Membership grew nearly 30%, from approximately 550 member units to more than 710—representing nearly 1,500 individuals connected to Jewish life through JFGH.
  • Unrestricted annual campaign contributions increased by 36%, rising from $380,000 to $516,000.
  • Three new playgrounds were completed on the Alexander Grass Campus for Jewish Life, serving the Brenner Family Early Learning Center, Silver Academy, and the broader community. Thank you to Marcia & Sandy (z’l) Cohen and Family, and Capital Blue Cross for providing crucial funds in making these projects possible.
  • The Ellie Goldenberg Theater Program expanded, now including a spring all-ages production.
  • The Brenner Family Early Learning Center was named Simply The Best by Harrisburg Magazine.
  • Financial stewardship was strengthened with improved reporting and oversight under our new Director of Finance and Accounting, Victor Ha. The Board approved a FY2026 operating budget that includes a projected $400,000 deficit reduction, with additional reductions under active consideration.
  • Our Senior Adult Club is thriving in its new home on the Grass Campus, offering hot kosher lunches, engaging programming, and meaningful social connection.
  • Our food service program served approximately 40,000 hot kosher meals during Fiscal Year 2024-2025 and successfully transitioned operations to Chisuk Emuna.
  • We created and launched a five-year Strategic Business and Sustainability Plan, providing a clear roadmap for stability and growth.

These accomplishments reflect the vitality of our programs and the dedication of our staff, volunteers, and community members.

Understanding the Broader Context

Jewish Federations and Jewish Community Centers across the country share a common mission: to strengthen Jewish identity, care for the vulnerable, support Jewish education and culture, and serve as a unifying voice and hub for Jewish life. JCCs in particular have historically functioned as community anchors—offering education, wellness, cultural programs, early childhood learning, and spaces for connection—while Federations coordinate philanthropic support, communal planning, and partnerships locally, nationally, and in Israel.

Like many Jewish communal organizations nationwide, JFGH has faced long-standing financial challenges driven largely by demographic shifts and declining philanthropic participation over many years. These trends predated our move to the Grass Campus and affected operations even at our former home at 3301 North Front Street, i.e., the “J”. Similar pressures have led to the closure or consolidation of numerous JCCs and Federations across the country, including in major metropolitan areas.

Recognizing these realities, Federation leadership—guided by a commitment to long-term sustainability—made the courageous decision to partner with members of the community to reimagine our model and invest in a more flexible, collaborative, and future-oriented campus.

The Grass Campus: A Community Investment

Thanks to extraordinary generosity from our community, particularly several families who believed deeply in this vision, the 2022–2024 capital campaign raised over $16 million in commitments, exceeding expectations and enabling the acquisition and transformation of the Grass Campus.

While renovation costs ultimately exceeded initial projections—largely due to COVID-era construction inflation and broader economic pressures—the Grass Campus today serves as a shared home for Federation programs, the Early Learning Center, and Jewish agency partners. Through significantly subsidized leases and in-kind support totaling nearly $800,000 annually, JFGH continues to fulfill its core mission of strengthening and sustaining Jewish communal life across our region.

Where We Are Today—and Where We Are Headed

Today, JFGH is actively working with our lender to restructure existing debt in order to reduce monthly obligations and improve cash flow. At the same time, our staff and volunteer leaders are reimagining programming and operations so that the Grass Campus functions as a true regional hub for Jewish life—welcoming, efficient, and financially sustainable.

It is important to be clear and reassuring: the Federation has no plans to file for bankruptcy. Rather, we are taking deliberate, responsible steps to reduce expenses, strengthen revenue, and achieve operational break-even—while continuing to deliver vital programs and support to our partner agencies.

A Shared Call to Action

To sustain this positive momentum and ensure a thriving Jewish future in Greater Harrisburg, we need renewed and expanded community engagement.

Jewish Federations exist because communities choose to support them—not only with membership and active participation and volunteerism, but with meaningful philanthropic participation. To remain strong, we must rebuild an annual campaign of at least $1 million, allowing us to:

  • Sustain and grow core programs
  • Continue supporting partner agencies
  • Invest in Jewish education and engagement
  • Serve as a unified voice for our community locally and beyond

We invite you to reaffirm your commitment—through financial support, active participation, advocacy, and volunteerism. We are a strong Jewish Community however every contribution, every engagement, and every voice further strengthens the Federation’s ability to serve as the heart of Jewish life in our region.

If you have made your pledge to this year’s Annual Campaign, I personally and the community more broadly thank you for your commitment to the Federation, its programs and investment in the community and aligned Jewish agencies. If you have not made a pledge, please consider doing so at a level with which you feel comfortable. The community’s support will be crucial in allowing the Federation to continue its mission.

Together, we have already demonstrated what is possible. With shared responsibility and renewed investment, we can ensure that the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg not only endures—but flourishes—for generations to come.