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18 July 2024
Last weekend, I joined colleagues from Federations and other Jewish organizations to discuss the evolving challenges facing Israelis and Israeli society following October 7th, the continuing wars with Hamas and Hezbollah, and the role of philanthropy in helping address these critical issues. Even in these fluid and uncertain times, there are many places of hope and inspiration.
Below, you’ll find a few such examples from our own community. They include inspiration from a day at summer camp, local leaders making important moves, and new investments to safeguard our children. I’m also adding a great piece on why we need to focus on building strong Jewish identities on campus in this moment – you might want to print this one out.
Shabbat Shalom,
Gil
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Gil Preuss, CEO
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington
P.S. This October 7th, our community will gather in Washington, DC to mark one year since the Hamas attacks on Israel and look towards a brighter future together. Join the interest list.
The Magic of Summer Camp. Last week, I joined Federation leaders and donors on a visit to our partners at Capital Camps. There’s nothing quite like a day at sleepaway camp, even (or especially) as an adult. From the lake to the cafeteria and everywhere in between, it was a privilege to watch how Jewish summer camp helps children grow as people, friends, Jews, and leaders, and how Capital Camps is deepening connections for and between local and Israeli campers. Read more about our visit.
Leaders on the Move. Greater Washington is home to incredible leaders, and it’s particularly exciting when their career moves uplift our Jewish community. This week, I’m celebrating two such leaders and their new roles at the Safety Respect Equity (SRE) Network: CEO, Rachel Gildner, and Senior Advisor for Culture and Belonging, Dr. Deitra Reiser. We look forward to their future impact on Jewish life.
New Funding for Jewish Early Childhood Security. Thanks to a $250,000 grant from The Tepper Foundation through Jewish Federations of North America, Federation is providing additional security personnel to 25 local Jewish early childhood programs with more than 40 children enrolled. This funding supplements the many essential resources that JShield, Federation’s security division, provides to all local Jewish institutions at no cost to them.
Weekend Read. In Sources: A Journal of Jewish Ideas, GW Hillel Executive Director Adena Kirstein writes about the challenges of fostering Jewish identity on campuses amid rising antisemitism. “I find myself returning to the questions I suggest my students ask themselves daily, as they try to navigate what it means to be a Jew: What is within my control and what is not? Where can I grow as a Jew? How can I shape a Jewish future rooted in joy and not fear? And most important, how can I contribute to the future of the Jewish people?” Set aside some time to read the full piece.