From Where I Sit

Today is Giving Tuesday and the fact that it falls between the lighting of the 2nd and 3rd Hanukkah candle is a good thing. In the spirit of Hanukkah, we have an opportunity to celebrate our favorite nonprofits, while also showing our dedication to the work they do.

We sometimes forget that just because we don't wear a team uniform, we can still be a part of a team. Working towards similar goals, our teammates and us have a unique responsibility to one another and we complement each other's abilities. It is through that teamwork and understanding of our roles that we are able to accomplish so much.

Although I never did become a rabbi as I had always hoped, synagogue life has always been an important part of my Judaism. It is why I feel so proud that the Jewish Federation establish and still coordinates the Synagogue Presidents' Council. This group of current synagogue presidents meets quarterly and provides them the opportunity to come together and discuss issues each are facing in their respective organizations. 

It is sometimes hard to clearly articulate what the Jewish Federation is and does. Over the course of the next several weeks, I am going to share examples how we work towards fulfilling our mission and how our work impacts the lives of the community. 

While a lot has been made recently about the ills of social media, nonprofits need to take a page from sites like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and others. What social media is really good about is allowing their users to highlight and share things going on in their lives. It is in this vain that organizations like the Jewish Federation need to remember in order to continue to remind the community of what we do and highlight the impact we make on community members lives. If we don't, people can and will question the purpose of the organization.

It never fails that shortly after the High Holy Days, Jews all over the world feel a deeper connection Jewishly. There are exciting ways for people to engage with their local Jewish community over the next several months.

I was sad that the Jewish holy days ended last week, but last night's lightening and sudden storm reminded me to appreciate the awe-inspiring world around us.

At a time when we will soon be dancing with our tradition and history as we celebrate Simchat Torah, this celebration is still tempered by COVID. And yet, there may soon be some happy news as children 5-12 may be able to be vaccinated in the next several weeks. I am hopeful that this new group of eligible people get the vaccine and help us put an end to this insidious illness.

Long before Pumpkin Spiced Lattes (or anything else pumpkin flavored) heralded the start of Fall... there was Sukkot.

While earth-shattering events like the Temple’s destruction, the Spanish Inquisition, and the Holocaust have changed the course of Jewish history, the recent American Jews in 2020 survey from the Pew Research Center, as well as its 2013 Portrait of American Jews, will reshape the future of Judaism. And this is a good thing.