Our Community and Values
Nestled in the beautiful, natural surroundings of the Pocono Mountains in Northeastern Pennsylvania, the Jewish Fellowship of Hemlock Farms (JFHF) has been the center of Jewish life in Pike County for 50 years. We are a community of families and individuals who come together for a sense of belonging and to benefit from the treasures, wisdom and joy of Judaism.
We celebrate holidays, honor traditional practices, and are open to a creative approach that brings an aliveness, vibrancy and relevance to our modern-day lives. Our part-time rabbi and volunteer committees offer programming for all ages, finding avenues of learning and discussion through cultural and social events, the outdoors, movies, excursions, and speakers on topics of Jewish interest.
Everyone is welcome to attend our egalitarian religious services and events. As an unaffiliated not-for-profit religious organization, we welcome Jews of all denominations - Reform, Reconstructionist, Conservative, Orthodox, and secular - regardless of current or prior practice / affiliation. Our membership includes full-time residents, weekenders, and snowbirds.
While the Fellowship is physically located within the gated community of Hemlock Farms, we invite families and individuals who reside in, or spend time in the greater Pike County area to participate. Our facility is wheelchair accessible, and we invite individuals of all ages and abilities to participate.
Our neighborhood, Hemlock Farms, is in itself, a unique, closely knit Inter-faith community of over 3,000 homes. Contributing to this environment, the Fellowship proudly participates in numerous ecumenical programs throughout the year. As a long-time member of the Interfaith Council of Hemlock Farms, JFHF fosters unity by working closely with the other houses of worship within Hemlock Farms and surrounding communities. JFHF is also an active affiliate member of the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania, contributing and providing support for local and national causes, as well as for the State of Israel, extending our hand in fellowship among Jews and all people.
