About Our ZOA Chapter

GREATER PHILADELPHIA ZOA

The Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Zionist Organization of America is relentless in promoting, supporting and defending the Jewish People, Israel, Zionism, American values and the mutually beneficial U.S.-Israel relationship. No group is as bold as we are.

Our hallmarks are education, advocacy/activism and outreach. Desirably we do these pro-actively, when they are more effective than after an incident or situation arises. See the “Take Action” tab for details. We are a grassroots organization that encourages participation from our members and supporters. Via our educational initiatives, we offer the unvarnished facts — contemporary and historical. Our advocacy prioritizes the well-being of the Jewish community including our rights and the ability to be secure and to thrive. We promote what Zionism truly is and that it is as relevant today as ever.

While our chapter concentrates on the Greater Philadelphia region, it also encompasses eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware. We have pro-active, positive initiatives and activities focusing on education, advocacy and outreach. We respond to attacks against Jews and Jewish institutions; efforts to delegitimize Israel and Zionism; and to those who try to weaken or sever the bond between Americans and Israelis/America and Israel.
Since the Palestinian-Arab mass-murders, rapes, wounding of thousands of Israelis and hostage-taking on Oct. 7, 2023 sparked an unparalleled, sustained wave of anti-Jewish activity — the Philadelphia area became an epicenter of Jew-hatred and indoctrination against Israel, Zionism and Jews — Greater Philadelphia ZOA has responded as follows:
✓ We have met with pro-Israel students on multiple campuses;
✓ We have met with state and federal officials
✓ We have been featured on talk-radio and published articles in numerous publications;
✓ We created our “Information Ambulance,” a LED-panel truck displaying a dozen mes-sages and dispatched to scores of locations throughout our region to “rescue the truth”;
✓ We have held special meetings for parents and students and have spoken with school board members, school district officials and faculty;
✓ We have spent countless hours offering one-on-one support sessions by phone, on social media and Zoom with traumatized people in the community who sought our expertise;
✓ We have done advocacy workshops featuring our audio/visual presentation “The Many Sources of Jew-Hatred and What You Can Do About Them”;
✓ We offer our weekly newsletter (sent via email and posted on social media) to emphasize activism instruction, tools and resources; and
✓ We regularly monitor dozens of local anti-Jewish groups and individual activists on
social media as well as local libraries.

Our 2022 unprecedented 27-page report detailing anti-Jewish/anti-Israel activities by city of Philadelphia agencies turned out to be prescient. We warned that schools, libraries and other official agencies were engaging in Jew-hatred, and left unchecked it would worsen. We were accused by other Jewish groups of exaggerations and fear-mongering. Yet we were correct.

  • Please make sure we have your current email address and physical address so that we can keep you informed!
    Please participate in and support our vitally important work.
  • Consider hosting a parlor meeting to introduce ZOA to your friends, family, neighbors and colleagues.
  • Volunteer in our office or with our Vigilance Project. Learn more about us and the role you can play at 610-660-9466, [email protected] or at philly.zoa.org.
    Get involved. Join our cadre of leaders.
  • Make a positive difference!

We appreciate each and every member and each and every donation!

See the DONATE/JOIN tab to support our vital work.

Our additional activities on behalf of the people and land of Israel include:

Meeting with lawmakers to promote pro-Israel legislation;

Producing education programs and encouraging purchase of goods produced in Israel;

Promoting balanced programs on the Middle East at educational institutions;

Working within the Jewish community for pro-Israel positions and activities;

Leading rallies and demonstrations;

Writing articles, op-eds and letters-to-the-editor and appearing on electronic media and social media to promote Israel, or correct media inaccuracies and fight biased reporting; Reaching out to media;

Holding public meetings featuring prominent speakers;

Actively participate in National ZOA’s Washington Advocacy Mission;

Partner with like-minded groups including Christian Zionists;

Everyday we educate and advocate on behalf of Israel and reach out to the under-informed, uninformed and misinformed.

Officers:

Co-Presidents:

Lynne K. Lechter and Kevin Ross

Vice Presidents:

Ruth C. Gleit

Bruce Holberg

Pnina Mintz

Kevin Williams

Treasurer:

Leonard Getz

Recording Secretary:

Gerri Richmond

Chairman of the Board: