Category: Jewish Identity & Inclusion

Last week, I had the privilege of joining 20 Ruby Lions—extraordinary women who contribute $10,000 or more annually to the Jewish Federation—for a day trip to New York City. The day was filled with meaningful experiences that brought Jewish life to light and deepened our connections as a community. These women, each a leader in her own right, came together to learn, share, and make a powerful impact.

We kicked off the day bright and early, bonding on the bus ride up. Conversations flowed effortlessly, and friendships blossomed between old friends and new faces alike. It was the perfect way to start a truly special day.

A Day of Inspiration at the Jewish Museum

As we approached Museum Mile on the Upper East Side, anticipation filled the air. Our first stop was the Jewish Museum, which had graciously opened its doors just for our group. We were about to embark on an exclusive private tour of the “Queen Esther in the Age of Rembrandt” exhibit, and it felt like the perfect place to begin.

For these extraordinary women, the story of Queen Esther resonated deeply. The exhibit wasn’t just an opportunity to learn about an ancient heroine—it was a chance to reflect on their own strength and leadership. It was an invitation to see themselves in Esther’s courage and to recognize the power of their own voices in shaping the future.

Real Conversations, Real Impact: Zionism and Antisemitism

After our tour, we gathered for a delicious kosher lunch at Lox, where Amanda Berman, founder of Zioness Movement, led a thought-provoking conversation about Zionism. For Amanda, Zionism isn’t a political stance; it’s a defining part of Jewish identity. Her words challenged us to think about the rise of antisemitism and how, as Jews, we must actively combat it.

She urged us to step outside of our circles, reach out to non-Jews, and have the difficult conversations needed to break down barriers and build understanding. Amanda’s message was clear and powerful: We must go beyond the walls of our community, speak up, and act. It was a call to not just talk about change, but to be the change, in our own lives and in the world around us.

Building Community, Supporting One Another

Our second stop was a visit with Martine Fleischman, a UJA New York leader, at Met Council, the service arm of UJA Federation New York. We toured their state-of-the-art online food pantry system, which serves more than 200,000 people annually. The innovative system allows individuals to choose food based on health and cultural preferences, connecting them with legal aid and other vital services. This visit was a powerful reminder that community support isn’t just about providing resources—it’s about empowering individuals to make decisions that honor their dignity and needs.

Art with Purpose: Jojo Anavim’s Commitment to Change

Next, we visited the studio of Jojo Anavim, a Persian-American Sephardic artist whose work is deeply rooted in his Jewish heritage. Jojo’s art is infused with his connection to Judaism, with each piece bearing a blessing on the back. After 10/7, Jojo generously donated all proceeds from his art sales for the first three months to support emergency relief efforts in Israel. He continues to use his platform to raise awareness about the rising tide of antisemitism and was instrumental in promoting the NOVA exhibit in NYC. Jojo’s unwavering support for Israel and his community shows how art can inspire action and foster positive change.

Strengthening Jewish Life on Campus

We wrapped up the day with a delicious kosher dinner at Malka, joined by Brian Cohen, Executive Director of Columbia/Barnard Hillel. Brian shared his commitment to supporting Jewish students at Columbia University, helping them navigate antisemitism, build strong Jewish identities, and advocate for themselves in a challenging environment. His words reinforced how essential it is to create safe spaces for young Jewish leaders, and how the work we do as a community has a direct, meaningful impact on their experiences.

A Day of Connection, Learning, and Empowerment

The trip was more than just a day away—it was a powerful reminder of the strength of community, the importance of connection, and the incredible impact we can have when we come together. These Ruby Lions, whose leadership and generosity shape our future, left the trip with a renewed sense of purpose and a stronger commitment to making a difference. Together, we’re building a brighter future for Jewish life, one action at a time.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

It is a radical understatement to say that we live in interesting and challenging times. Increasing divisions and disagreements in the United States, in Israel, and around the world are creating even more significant divides. Within the Jewish community, the role and impact of diversity of thought in our community has taken on new urgency. How do we move forward knowing fellow community members have deeply held and emotionally challenging viewpoints, with which we significantly disagree and directly challenge our own values?

The wide array of opinions in this community is a source of strength. But I also know this is easy to say—it’s much harder to sit with, and even make room for, thoughts I vehemently oppose.

I flag this because when I look at how we frequently handle differences, I see us incorporating the logic of politics. In a world where there are winners and losers, we are compelled to draw sharp lines around what we believe and exclude or make offensive opposing perspectives. We focus on who is with us and who is against us, maintaining a zero-sum mentality in the pursuit of political success.

A Different Lens for Community Building

Living in Greater Washington, DC, and as part of a minority population, we recognize the importance of politics and its outcomes on our lives. But when it comes to community building, we’ve got to opt for a different lens entirely. If we are to achieve our goal of building a strong and vibrant Jewish future together, then we need to operate from a place of humility, connections, and a commitment to a collective future. Our shared history, the bonds that have held the Jewish people together for millennia, and our aspirations for the future must carry more weight than our ideological differences.

To be clear, building a community where people with diverse views can effectively engage isn’t about communal harmony. We have significant challenges and important work to do together, and the more we can bring together diverse views within a community-focused lens, the more productive we will be. Our collective Jewish future, depends on our ability to build a place where Jews of all backgrounds can come and find the wisdom and meaning of Jewish thought and tradition, the connections and relationships that ground a life and make it joyful, and the services and experiences that support and expand someone’s world.

All of this is underway, and our communal debates can serve these efforts. As President Isaac Herzog writes in Sapir, “Can diversity complicate shared living? Yes. But we cannot forget the complementary truth. Diversity, with all of the ways it complicates life, also supports it.”

We do have the right to define and maintain the boundaries of our community. But wherever we land on this complicated question, I hope it includes all those who see their personal fate tied to that of the global Jewish people. Our individual, specific viewpoints and forms of Jewish expression may change over the course of a lifetime, but it’s our connection to Jewish peoplehood and our stake in the Jewish future that can serve as the constant bond that holds us together as we build that future for ourselves and generations to come.

This week, I had the privilege of witnessing something truly special—as I joined a group of Pre-K students from Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School on a field trip.

But this wasn’t just any field trip. Today, the group of four- and five-year-olds were reuniting with their older buddies from the Jewish Council for the Aging (JCA) Kensington Club, a program for adults with early-stage memory loss. Thanks to the Students Help and Reach Elders (SHARE) program, these friendships have bloomed since the fall, and the children could hardly wait to see their friends again.

A Shared Experience, A Lasting Bond

The purpose of the visit was to celebrate Passover – a Jewish holiday known for bringing multiple generations together.

The room buzzed with energy as everyone sang, colored, and shared stories about the holiday. Passover Bingo was a hit, and the Seder plate brought everyone together to try the traditional Passover foods. But what stood out most was the connection—the effortless ease with which the children and their older friends communicated, shared laughs, and celebrated.

More than Just a Visit

Although still young, just four or five years old, these kids truly care about their older friends.

Many of the children arrived with handmade cards, and they were eager to check in on their buddies.

The thoughtfulness and warmth in the room were palpable.

Jewish Joy in Action

Watching these interactions reminded me of what makes the Jewish community so powerful. It’s not just about the holidays—it’s about the connections we build along the way. In a room filled with laughter, stories, and shared moments, there was no hesitation, no walls, just Jewish joy in its simplest and most beautiful form.

The Jewish Federation is a proud partner with Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School and the Jewish Council for the Aging.

For many older adults, loneliness is a daily struggle. A 2023 study found that one in four adults worldwide experience feelings of isolation. But a new and innovative music program in senior living facilities is working to change that—and it’s hitting all the right notes.

The Iris Music Project is transforming the lives of older adults through its Ensemble-in-Residence model. Instead of offering one-time events like concerts or trivia nights, this program focuses on building deep, lasting relationships through regular, meaningful interactions with professional musicians. By embedding musicians in senior living facilities, the project fosters ongoing connections that significantly reduce loneliness and enhance well-being, offering more than just entertainment—it’s about building a sense of community.

It All Started Here in Greater Washington

Launched in 2016 right here in Greater Washington at Charles E. Smith Life Communities in Rockville, MD, the program stands out for its commitment to consistency. Rather than offering occasional events, musicians spend extended time with residents, leading weekly rehearsals, music lectures, and engaging in one-on-one interactions. This ongoing involvement fosters meaningful connections that go beyond entertainment, creating a true sense of community and shared experience.

“When you’re there like that, building relationships and connections like that, you really see the power of working together, making music together, and the way it can transform,” Iris Music Project Executive Director Lauren Latessa recently shared during an interview with WBAL-TV. “It can really transform not just one person’s life, but the entire community.”

Beyond the Music

While the music is at the heart of this program, the Iris Music Project believes the Ensemble-in-Residence model could be a game changer in other areas as well—think visual arts, cooking, and exercise—all with the same goal: to combat loneliness and bring communities closer together.

The Iris Music Project is already working on formalizing best practices and training artists to bring this unique approach to community-building to more senior living facilities across the country.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington is proud to partner with Charles E. Smith Life Communities in supporting the Iris Music Project and helping spread the joy of connection through music to our senior community.

The Jewish Women’s Collective Response Fund, a new effort led by the Hadassah Foundation and Elluminate, is awarding grants of $25,000 each to support, elevate and empower Israeli women in the aftermath of October 7th.

The Fund — representing the commitment of a total 11 Jewish women’s organizations throughout the country — was created by The Hadassah Foundation and Elluminate to support Israeli nonprofits actively and effectively working to give voice to women and advance equality in government and civil society as Israelis reprioritize and rebuild during and after wartime.

The five Israeli organizations receiving grants, each for $25,000, are:

• The Adva Center, based in Tel Aviv, advances equality, social justice and gender-responsive policies in Israel, including giving voice in the Israeli government to women at a time when they are often excluded from decision-making.
• Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel, based in Jerusalem, raises awareness within Israeli communities and government of gender-based sexual violence and harassment; provides support, resources and advocacy for survivors; and leads calls internationally for accountability for the sexual terrorism committed against Israeli women on Oct. 7.
• Itach Ma’aki – Women Lawyers for Social Justice, based in Tel Aviv, empowers and gives voice to Israeli women facing social, geographic, national, ethnic and economic discrimination by providing legal aid, engaging with activist groups and other allies, and identifying and promoting changes in national policy and legislation.
• The Ruth and Emanuel Rackman Center, based at Bar-Ilan University in Ramat Gan, promotes the status and rights of women in matters of family law and works to end gender discrimination and inequality in Israel through advocacy and legislative change.
• WePower, based in Azor, works to elevate women to influential and decision-making positions in Israel, focusing on erasing the gender gap in public and political arenas by identifying potential female leaders and training them for leadership positions, promoting gender-aware legislation to remove barriers, and advancing gender equality as a societal foundation.

All five are current or recent grant recipients of the Hadassah Foundation.

“We believe that women have and are bearing the brunt of this war, in multiple respects, revealing both specific and broad inequalities and challenges in familial, social, economic and civic spheres,” said Audrey Weiner, Chair of The Hadassah Foundation.

“These five grantee organizations have been and will continue to be on the forefront of changing the status quo for women and girls in Israel at a time when their voices and place in government and society are no less than crucial to the country’s reemergence from October 7th.”

In addition to Elluminate and The Hadassah Foundation contributing partners include the Jewish Women’s Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago; the Jewish Women’s Foundation of Greater Pittsburgh; the Women’s Amutot Initiative of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation; National Council of Jewish Women; Propel – The Jewish Women’s Fund (San Francisco); The Fund for Women and Girls at the Jewish Community Foundation of The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington; The Miriam Fund (Boston); Women of Vision of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia; and Women of Reform Judaism.

The collaborative fund represents the second time the Hadassah Foundation has convened Jewish women’s funds to provide emergency support for Israeli women’s needs. In 2020, in response to the Covid pandemic and resulting increase in domestic violence, it brought together four other women’s funds to provide financial resources to three Israeli nonprofit organizations that support survivors of domestic violence.

“Out of the darkness of October 7th came a real opportunity for leading Jewish women’s organizations to come together in the moment and to meet the moment,” said Stephanie Garry, President of Elluminate.

“We saw not only an opportunity to step out of our individual silos, but most importantly the imperative to do so, and create a collaborative paradigm of what women’s leadership can and should be to meet outstanding needs, work for permanent change, and unleash the visionary and philanthropic power of our collective community.”