On Friday September 18th, 2020, the Jewish New Year, 5781 will begin.
Federation Housing is responding to these extraordinary times by offering
our friends and family the opportunity to enjoy Rosh Hashanah and Yom
Kippur services conveniently, on- line, led by our in-house Chaplain,
Rabbi Sandi Berliner. Join Rabbi Sandi as she brings us the joyful sounds
and traditions of the holidays.
Wishing you a happy, healthy and light-filled New Year.
Dear Friends of Federation Housing,
Many of you have contacted us concerned about the adverse effects Federation Housing and its residents may be experiencing as a result of this latest government shut down. We sincerely appreciate your concern as we navigate this troubling situation and felt it was appropriate to share with you the challenges our residents face as a result.
Feeling the Impact – Nearly all of our 1,500 low-income residents receive some form of financial support from the United States Department of Agriculture in the form of “SNAP” Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. These benefits come in the form of monthly financial assistance which provides the recipient funds for much needed food and related sustenance items.
SNAP issued a statement on January 14, 2019 indicating that February's SNAP benefits will be issued early and that future benefits will be delayed if available at all. Due to this decision, SNAP recipients will not be able to get future SNAP benefits until sometime in March 2019, even later if the shut-down continues. While many of us are financially positioned to weather such a storm, our senior residents have low incomes, with an average income of just $12,500 per year, and are not so fortunate.
In response to this hardship, we are proposing the following assistance to our resident’s agency wide:
Eliminate the $1.00 per meal participation cost to those residents who participate in the Senior Congregate Meal program who are currently receiving SNAP benefits.
Reach out to all FH residents and offer enrollment in the Senior Congregate Meal Program to ensure all those who reside at a FH managed property do not go to bed hungry.
Offering this type of emergency support to our nearly 1,500 senior residents comes at a price to Federation Housing and that is where we could surely use your support.
Please consider donating to our Senior Congregate Meal program to help us offset some of our meal expense as we assist our residents in overcoming their daily struggle with food insecurity during these uncertain times.
On behalf of those we proudly serve, we thank you in advance for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Eric Naftulin Debbie Zlotnick
Executive Director Fundraising Manager
The Federation Housing community records with sorrow the passing of their esteemed colleague and friend whose commitment to creating affordable housing benefited thousands of seniors served by Federation Housing, and whose life work serves as an example of kindness and compassion to the entire community.
Mr. Goldstein founded Federation Housing, Inc. in 1970 with the support and encouragement of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. Along with his wife Claire, of blessed memory, he was a long-time advocate and supporter of affordable housing for seniors. His unyielding commitment helped to create needed homes for seniors throughout the Greater Northeast Philadelphia area. Mr. Goldstein believed in his ability to make an impact and frequently testified in Congressional hearings about the financial burdens facing older adults specifically as it related to housing costs and related living expenses. He was unyielding in his efforts to break down barriers and stereo types often affiliated with the poor and provided hope to those less fortunate across the region.
Mr. Goldstein served as Federation Housing’s Executive Vice President from the agency’s birth in May of 1970 until his retirement in September 1994. Eph. along with a unique and talented team of real estate developers, bankers and philanthropic families worked tirelessly in pursuit of creating new affordable housing opportunities throughout those years. Today, Federation Housing proudly serves nearly 1,500 seniors in eleven beautifully appointed properties each with a blend of supportive services to ensure one’s quality of life.
His dedication and commitment to the needy reflects a life filled with compassion and endless giving to improve the lives of others. Federation Housing, Inc. and our entire community were truly fortunate to have been the beneficiary of Eph’s leadership and enduring tzedakah.
To all those touched by Ephraim; and to all who mourn his passing, the Federation Housing Community offer this expression of profound sympathy. May they find solace in the knowledge that his dedication, generosity and good works will serve as a living tribute to him and will benefit future generations for years to come.
Edward Tannebaum Eric D. Naftulin
President Executive Vice President