Category: Events & Gatherings

Israelis from every walk of life gathered in the desert to dance. Instead, they were hunted.  

On October 6, 2023, Israelis from across the country gathered at the Nova Music Festival in southern Israel. It was a celebration—a night meant to unite people from all walks of life, to dance under the stars, to share music, and to experience freedom and connection. The desert echoed with joy, laughter, and the sound of life. 

Then, in an instant, it all changed. 

What began as a night of light and love was torn apart by terror. 378 festival-goers were killed, and 44 more were taken hostage. What was once a celebration of joy and community became a scene of unimaginable horror. 

But even as lives were shattered, a different story began to unfold—one of resilience, one that would refuse to be defined by violence. 

The Tribe of Nova: From Darkness to Light 

The festival—the joy, the unity, the freedom to be yourself, to celebrate life with those around you—was meant to be a night like no other. 

And then came the attack. 

What followed was chaos, devastation, and loss. But it didn’t end there. The survivors—those who had gathered in joy—came together in a way that was as beautiful as it was raw. They held on to the memories of what they had lost but also to the power of their shared strength. 

The Nova Exhibit isn’t just an art display. It’s a journey—an emotional, immersive experience that takes you from the joy of that night, through the terror of the attack, and into the light of hope and healing that followed. This isn’t a passive story—it pulls you in. You feel the celebration, the loss, and the power of community. You stand alongside survivors who, despite everything, found a way to rebuild. 

This exhibit is a testament to what happens when a community refuses to be broken. It amplifies the voices of the survivors and honors the lives lost. But more than that, it challenges us: to remember, to bear witness, and to stand in solidarity. 

Why Washington Needs to Hear This Story 

In Washington, D.C., the Nova Exhibit will invite us all to step into the shoes of those who lived through the unthinkable—to see not just the individuals affected, but the impact on an entire society, a culture, a way of life. 

This is a chance—our chance—to be part of something that goes beyond simply learning about tragedy. It’s about witnessing history, experiencing resilience, and understanding what it truly means to rebuild. 

A Call to Action: Stand with Us in Remembering and Rebuilding 

This is more than a story of loss—it’s a story of strength, survival, and rebuilding. The Nova Exhibit invites everyone—Jewish or not, local or global—to experience a story that must be remembered, understood, and carried forward. 

Stand with the survivors. Stand with those who refuse to be defined by pain. Stand with us as we embrace the light that will guide us all forward. 

Their story belongs to all of us. Let’s make sure we hear it. 

To learn more about the exhibit, ticketing process, and what to expect, visit novaexhibition.com. While the site currently highlights the Toronto tour, it offers a strong preview of what’s to come in DC. More information about the DC exhibit coming soon! 

We are deeply grateful to the generous donors who made it possible to bring this powerful exhibit to Greater Washington. Their support reflects the heart of the Federation’s mission: creating space for our community to gather, reflect, and bear witness; fostering understanding through education; and ensuring we remember—together. 

Photo Credit: Nova Exhibition Website

“We sang, we laughed, we cried, we dug deep, and we unplugged. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect weekend or a more inspiring group of women.”

Baltimore, MD — They arrived carrying snacks, tote bags, and just a little hesitation. For many, it was their first time stepping away—from routines, from responsibilities, from the noise of the everyday—to join a retreat they weren’t quite sure how to describe.

By the end of the WOW (Women of Wisdom) Shabbat Experience, they were finishing each other’s sentences.

Held in a quiet, wooded corner of Maryland, the retreat brought together a multigenerational group of Jewish women from across the region for a weekend of reflection, connection, and leadership-building. The agenda wasn’t just about workshops or wellness—it was about making space. Space to show up, speak up, and let go of everything else for just long enough to feel present.

Thunderstorms rolled in. Laughter broke out. Tears were shared, and so were shoes. Somewhere between the circle discussions and late-night conversations, something shifted. Uncertainty gave way to something steadier: community.

The presence of seasoned professionals like Federation President Robin Hettleman Weinberg, Kerry Iris, and Wendy Feldman Block added a deeper layer to the experience. Their openness and wisdom underscored what many participants felt: that the power of WOW came not just from the setting, but from who was in the room—and how willing they were to show up for one another.

Guided by the grounded, thoughtful leadership of Rabbi Sarah Krinsky of Adas Israel Congregation and co-chairs Danielle Traub and Mollie Bowman, the retreat struck a rare balance: structured and spiritual, intentional and inclusive, and filled with Jewish learning! These leaders didn’t just organize the weekend—they joined it. Fully.

As the women packed up their bags and returned to their homes, they carried more than just takeaways. They carried new relationships. New perspective. And a shared sense that something meaningful had started—and no one wanted it to end.

The buzz is already building— email ilana.matheson@shalomdc.org to learn how to be part of what’s next.

“Our greatest resource is community.” – Albert Small

At Federation’s Real Estate Breakfast on Tuesday morning, that message landed with power and purpose.

More than 100 Jewish real estate professionals filled the room—and it wasn’t just for the strong coffee. It was a morning of insight, connection, and momentum. The energy was unmistakable. Conversations flowed, handshakes turned into new relationships, and across the room, one thing was clear: this community shows up.

Marc Duber and Dana Jacobsohn, two of the industry’s most respected voices, shared reflections on career growth, luxury development in their field, and the power of mentorship. And again and again, the conversation returned to relationships—the people you trust, who show up when it matters, who help you build something lasting.

Their foundation, they shared, has always been the Jewish community.

That idea—community as a constant—resonated well beyond the stage. You could hear it in the conversations around every table.

The morning also marked the launch of the Builders Society, a new giving level for Jewish professionals in real estate. With its first dinner set for later this month and strong interest already building, it’s clear this isn’t just a network. It’s a movement.

There were plenty of firsts in the room: first-time Federation participants, first-time donors, first-time conversations that sparked new ideas. And behind all of it? A growing belief that being in the room—and showing up together—matters.

The message was clear: This community creates real opportunity. Professional, personal, and philanthropic.

Thanks to the vision and leadership of Jenna Jacobson, Albert Small, and the Real Estate Committee co-chairs, the morning delivered not just a conversation, but a clear step forward for this community of builders, leaders, and changemakers.

Want in? Contact Sarah Green at sarah.green@shalomdc.org to learn more.

“Security starts with us in the community.”

This was the message delivered by Captain Ian Clark of the Montgomery County Police Department to more than 50 attendees from across the DMV at an all-day summit on April 8. Formed in 2023, JShield is the community security service organized by and housed within the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington. The theme that prevention of threats to Jewish institutions and members of the community is not a duty that can be solely delegated to “the professionals” or hiring of security guards for events but requires, among other things, situational awareness, preparation and planning, communication and development of strong relationships with local and federal law enforcement and experts in the security space.

In his keynote address, former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff shared insights that resonated with participants, outlining several high-level factors contributing to the increase in threats to the Jewish Community. He began by explaining the buildup of stress within the U.S. over the last few decades. He identified the stress as developing from the 2008 recession, the COVID lockdown, foreign policy issues, tariffs, declining confidence in where the U.S. stands in the global landscape, and domestic terrorist attacks. Concurrently, with the increase in stress comes a heightened sense of threat and uncertainty and, subsequently, a reduction in personal inhibitions. He closed by emphasizing the importance of developing a culture of security in communities and that security is a team sport.

Rusty Rosenthal, the Executive Director of JShield, began his remarks by echoing this sentiment–emphasizing that JShield does not and was never intended to work in isolation. He described the partnerships that JShield, as a new agency, has forged with similar organizations focused on the Jewish community, such as Secure Community Network, ADL, JCRC, and other Federations’ security departments, federal and local law enforcement agencies.

The presentations by Rosenthal and his team focused on the extensive expertise that each brings to the improvement of the security posture in the Jewish community.

Laura Katzif, Northern Virginia Security Advisor and Security Director at Pozez JCC highlighted her background in emergency preparedness—and the importance of understanding that threats to well-being go beyond active shooter to extreme weather, domestic feuds within families that are sometimes acted out in schools, and other dangers. Her perspective involves identifying risks in an organization and how to mitigate them. She identified the emergency preparedness process and the types of plans that might be needed. She characterized much of the approach of the JShield team as “teaching adaptability” because real-life conflict doesn’t follow a script.

Shay HaLevi, Deputy Director of Community Security, described the human reaction to threats and how he brings his training to individuals within an organization on a human level. That training ranges from breathing techniques for remaining calm to how a greeter may best approach an unknown person in an organizational setting.

Adam Bronstone, Grants Specialist, highlighted the assistance JShield provides in assisting organizations effectively apply for security grants. He also provided insight into the confusion about the current commitment to funding such grants in the future.

Ty Mooney, JShield Intelligence Analyst, explained the importance of reporting each incident on JShield’s Incident Reporting Form. That form allows JShield and its partners to receive information simultaneously. Additionally, JShield is working to refine the reporting forms to distill more actionable data for our region.

A summit highlight was a panel led by representatives from the Fairfax County, Montgomery County, and D.C. Metropolitan Police Departments. The consistent message they conveyed was to report any and all incidents, both big and small. They also took some time to explain the distinction between a hate bias incident versus a possible hate crime and took questions from attendees.

The summit also included a discussion of the relevance and possible continued threat posed to the United States by Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. One panelist emphasized that the one common element among both foreign and domestic terrorists and extremists on both the right and the left is antisemitism.

Participants and panelists applauded the summit not just as an informative session but as a convening of all those in the community who either study, work to prevent, or want to forestall terrorism and other threats to the Jewish community.

JShield plans to hold the summit annually as it continues to increase its impact on the community and its awareness and participation in its own collective security.

On March 19, 2025, more than 70 community members gathered at Har Shalom for the second event in the Combating Antisemitism series, focused on recognizing and addressing antisemitism in the workplace. The evening was full of insightful conversations, practical tools, and a shared commitment to confronting discrimination head-on.

A Call to Action: Standing Up Against Antisemitism

The evening began with Howard Reichel, leader of the Kulanu Combating Antisemitism cohort, who emphasized the importance of standing up for ourselves in the face of adversity. Rabbi Adam Raskin followed, drawing inspiration from the ancient story of Purim to highlight the relevance of bold action in today’s fight against antisemitism. He urged us: “The quickest way for others to stand up for Jews is for Jews to stand up for themselves.” His words resonated deeply, reinforcing that we all have a role in standing against antisemitism.

Tools for Combating Antisemitism at Work

Meredith Wiesel, senior leader at the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), led an informative session on combating antisemitism in the workplace. She shared key tools to recognize antisemitic tropes and how to respond effectively in professional settings. Attendees walked away with practical advice and resources to empower them in their own workplaces.

The event also included an interactive “choose your own adventure” activity, allowing participants to explore various workplace scenarios. Should you ignore offensive comments, confront the individual, or report the incident to HR? This exercise sparked thoughtful discussions on the most effective ways to confront antisemitism while maintaining professionalism and respect.

On Monday, March 3rd, I had the privilege of joining many of you in celebrating seven exceptional leaders in our community: Alma Gildenhorn, Carol & Gary Berman, Sophie & Bradley Buslik, and Rachel & Peter Federowicz.

I’m always impressed by the way our community shows up to honor our leaders — and Cornerstone was no exception.

I’m also excited to share that the event raised over $1M for the Cornerstone Fund. This significant contribution will enable us to expand our commitment to developing the next generation of leaders, equipping them with the confidence, skills, and Jewish values necessary to strengthen our community for years to come.

In my remarks, I spoke at length about leadership — how it’s not just contagious, but also collective.

Now, more than ever, I urge you to stand with us and double down on our efforts. We must unite to overcome the critical challenges facing our local Jewish community and Jewish communities worldwide.

If you were unable to attend, watch my full remarks.