Sun, April 26 | 5 PM
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About Philly Friendship Circle

Based on the Jewish value of “Love your fellow as yourself”, our mission is to connect teens and young adults to youth with special needs and their families through a full range of social offerings. Inspired by the power of genuine friendships, our youth cultivate understanding, kindness, and responsibility while ensuring a caring and inclusive community.

Become a Gala Sponsor

Your partnership keeps our heart beating

At Philly Friendship Circle, connection doesn't happen by chance. It's cultivated. Behind every joyful moment is a thoughtful system that keeps our heart beating strong, allowing friendships to grow and endure.
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At the Heart of What We Do

Creating connection for every member of the family,
across all of our programs, including:

Sunday Circle Playroom
Early Childhood & Families
With more younger children, siblings, and entire families joining, we expanded with carefully facilitated, age-appropriate experiences—powered by added staff and essential equipment.
MVP Intro Program
Tweens Grades 6-7
Strong enrollment in grades 6 to 7 has already prompted future planning, reflecting sustained interest and growing demand that continues to exceed available program capacity.
Young Adult Game Night
Young Adults 18+
Initiated and led by one of our alumni, this pilot program fills a gap by creating a warm, home-like space where young adults feel safe, included, and eager to return.

Stories that come from the heart


“I'm so grateful to be a part of such a supportive group of people where everyone is encouraged to grow, thrive, and live authentically. Every time I go to an event, I am surrounded by laughter and a genuine joy that I have not seen anywhere else."

– Ella, Philly Friendship Circle Teen
“My son doesn't attend every event, but the ones he chooses to attend, it's like a giant exhale - I don't have to be by his side. Everything he needs, they have for him. All the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed.”

– Cara, Philly Friendship Circle Mom
"Philly Friendship Circle isn't just a program—it's a feeling. Like hot chocolate with marshmallows or a warm hug.”

– Deborah Livingston, Philly Friendship Circle Mom and Board Member"
210

Children & Teens

with & without disabilites
78

Young Adults

with & without disabilites
88

New Friends

signed up in 2025
75%

Attendance Rate

for 3 or more programs
Why Sponsor?

Together, we keep friendship at the heart of it all.

Your financial partnership allows us to grow, adapt, and ensure every friend and family has a place where they are truly seen and valued.

Thank you to our 2026 Gala Sponsors

List updated April 23, 2026
Best Friends Forever
  • Kelly & Michael Barrie
  • Danielle & Adam Illfelder
Cherished Chaverim
  • Caren Barnet & Steve Abramson
  • Sandra Cozen
  • Neubauer Family Foundation
Perfect Pals
  • Jill & Mark Fishman
  • Stephen Klein
  • Amy & Michael Kopelman
  • Alyson Simpson & Joel Lazovitz
  • Michele & Robert Levin
  • Alicia Felton & Sherrill Neff
  • Myriam Klotz & Margot Stein
Best Buds
  • Melissa & Paul Anderson
  • Lisa & Arthur Berkowitz
  • Malka & David Caroline
  • Amy & Daniel Erlbaum
  • Amy & Steven Erlbaum
  • Susan & Lewis Gantman
  • Alyssa Terk & Denis Jablonka
  • Robin & Steven Katz Family
  • Rena & Josh Kopelman
  • Gail & Elliot Norry
  • Marvin & Marsha Raab
  • Ken & Sunnie Rosenstein
  • Liz Cohen & David Whellan
Awesome Allies
  • Susanna & Dean Adler
  • Debbie Blume, Steve Stutman & Sylvia Blume
  • Sharon Musher & Daniel Eisenstadt
  • Jill & Lenny Feinberg
  • Jessica Chow & Jacob Finder
  • Ellen & Harris Fishman
  • Deborah Winokur & Hanan Fishman
  • Lauren & Jeff Gladstone
  • Marcy Gringlas & Joel Greenberg
  • Robyn & Scott Greenberg
  • Margie & Jeffrey Honickman
  • Naomi Prusky & David Levin
  • Eydie Rudman & Howard Levin
  • Susan & Paul Lichtman
  • Julie & Harris Miller
  • Stephen & Lizabeth Raynes
  • Sally & Robert Salon
  • Specter Foundation
  • Ray Starzmann
  • Danielle Tapper
  • Miriam & Bruce Taubman
  • Richard Tregerman
  • Renee & Michael Zeitzer
Fast Friends
  • Michael Adelman
  • Charna Axelrod
  • Sheldon & Penny Bernick
  • Hedy & Morris Cohen
  • Sara & Allan Crimm
  • Amy & Andy Dorfman
  • Maria & Tom Federman
  • Lynne & Bill Garbose
  • Gerber Schneiman Family, Hurok Family, & Whitehorn Family
  • Tracy & George Gordon
  • Sherrie Willner & Janice Gorson
  • Abby & Nate Greenberg
  • Cara & Michael Herrmann
  • Aviele & Michael Koffler
  • Carol Weissman & Richard Kopelman
  • Eve & David Kovsky
  • Barbara & Allen Lerman
  • Lori & Jerome Marcus
  • Simone & Brian Nadav
  • Mary & Nathan Relles
  • Betsy & David Rentz
  • Carolina & Marcio Rochwerger
  • Hilde & Bruce Sham
  • Staci & Mitch Sklar
  • Sharon Wexler

Thank You to Our Foundational Friends

Thank you to our Foundational Friends who provide the year-round support that helps ensure Philly Friendship Circle’s stability & growth.

  • Julie & Rob Axelrod
  • Karen & Richard Banner
  • Dotty & Lawrence Brown
  • Holly Cohen & Leib Meadvin
  • Bonnie & Michael Coplon
  • Vicki & Gary Erlbaum
  • Darien Finder
  • Judi & Mark Goldstein
  • Shana & Jeffrey Goldstein
  • Beth & David Joseph
  • Melissa Lerman & Eric Berger
  • Sharon & Jonathan Levin
  • Sammi Levin
  • Ellen & Peter Livingston
  • Deborah & Mark Livingston
  • Freda Pepper & Howard Bernstein
  • Jill & Brian Rosen
  • The Rudoler Family
  • Gail Simon
  • Rebecca Stein & Steven Matthews
  • Alison & Lee Sussman
  • Gabe Tayar Memorial Fund
List updated April 19th, 2026.

Learn more or join: [email protected]