Category: Programs & Partnerships

That’s the question we posed to our esteemed panel at our first-ever Northern Virginia-focused Federation Network event for Jewish business professionals on Friday, March 28. Set against the backdrop of Northern Virginia’s rapidly growing landscape, nearly 50 local professionals gathered to explore what it truly means to build spaces where community can address the challenges we face today.

The following panelists joined us to frame the conversation and provided valuable insights into the intersection of business growth, community engagement, and the challenges we face:

• Katie Cristol, CEO of Tysons Community Alliance
• Stacy Bell, AVP for Business Development & Real Estate at Inova Health Systems & Professor at George Mason University
• Dahlia Palchik, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

Solving for Loneliness

Katie Cristol, CEO of the Tysons Community Alliance, shared her unique perspective on community development, describing it as a “third leg of the stool” when it comes to land use and economic development. Cristol emphasized that community development isn’t just about solving the housing crisis or tackling the climate crisis—it’s also a vital solution to the growing loneliness epidemic that many are experiencing. “What does community development help us have to say about our cities as solutions?” Cristol posed. “Not just for the housing crisis and the climate crisis, but also the loneliness epidemic that we’re experiencing?”

Her words sparked a deep reflection on how our cities and neighborhoods can serve as not only economic centers but also as hubs for connection, support, and belonging.

Touch Points That Build Community

Stacy Bell, an adjunct professor at George Mason University, brought a personal and practical perspective to the discussion. Bell spoke about how community development revolves around the connection points between people.

“It can be sports, it can be hobbies, it can be a book club,” she explained. “For me, community development is about the touch points, how to create them.”

Bell stressed that how we connect with others often depends on life stages—whether it’s through work, children’s activities, or hobbies—and that fostering those connection points is key to strong community development.

The idea of connection resonated with many in the room, as Bell underscored that community isn’t just about physical spaces, but the emotional and social ties we form with others.

Beyond the Building: Where Community Comes to Life

A particularly thought-provoking moment came from a reflection by Dahlia Palchik, who serves on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She highlighted the importance of built spaces like synagogues, schools, and community centers.

“A lot of it is the people, the food, the culture. But then as we think about those built spaces, whether it’s a formal space like the J(CC) or a shul, or whether it’s a school, how do we raise our families and build?”

As both a civic leader and anthropologist, Supervisor Palchik, reminded the audience of the role physical spaces play in bringing our values to life. These conversations left a lasting impression, reinforcing that community development is not just about creating infrastructure or economic growth; it’s about creating spaces—both physical and social—where people can thrive together.

Thank You to our Hosts and Leaders

Federation is grateful to David Schneider and Joel Regignano, who co-chaired this event, and to Holland & Knight and Lerner for their hospitality in hosting this wonderful networking event.

Want to Get Involved?

If you’re a Jewish business professional in Northern Virginia and want to participate in these meaningful conversations, we invite you to join our Federation Network. Visit our website or contact Sarah Green, Director of Donor Engagement, for more details.

Sunrise Israel’s mission is powerful in any year: to bring joy, hope, and resilience to Israeli children—Arab and Jewish—battling cancer, along with their healthy siblings. Through free summer day camps and year-round in-hospital programming, Sunrise Israel creates safe, inclusive spaces where children can just be kids.

But in the wake of the ongoing war with Hamas, their work is more vital than ever.

The Dual Crisis of War and Cancer

Each year, 450+ Israeli children are diagnosed with cancer. For these families, life becomes a blur of hospital visits, treatments, and mounting financial strain. These children often face social isolation due to compromised immune systems, missing out of the support and connection from everyday childhood experiences.

War, meanwhile, has only deepened these challenges. Sirens, rocket fire, and evacuations have become the new normal, layering trauma on top of an already overwhelming reality. Healthy siblings, too, are affected—often feeling overlooked as parents focus on the child who is sick.

Sunrise Day Camps provide a crucial outlet, offering children with cancer and their siblings a place to laugh, play, and connect—bringing moments of joy and relief during an incredibly difficult time.

A Summer of Joy and Healing

This summer, despite ongoing wartime disruptions, Sunrise Israel is preparing once again to welcome children back to camp. In 2024, thanks to generous support from our community, the organization was able to extend its flagship summer camp from 10 days to 12—offering even more time for children and families to connect, recharge, and heal. Now, as donor attention continues to shift toward causes more directly tied to the war, Sunrise is working hard to maintain that expanded scope while navigating staffing challenges caused by school closures and reserve duty obligations.

In 2024, Sunrise Israel also launched the Resilience and Emotional Assistance Program (REAP) to address the emotional well-being of children with cancer and their families during wartime. Thanks to this initiative, the organization trained additional professional counselors and volunteers, reaching over 1,000 young cancer patients across Israel.

We’re proud that, through support from Federation—via an Israel Crisis Relief Allocation and a Jewish Community Foundation Endowment Fund grant—our community helped make these critical expansions possible.

A Mother’s Perspective: “This Is Beyond Precious for Me”

Sigalit, mother of Zohar and Asher, shared:

“Every year, the day after camp, Zohar makes a calendar. On it he counts twelve months and marks the day in the following year that Sunrise is due to start. He literally counts down all year long for the first day of camp. And for the duration of camp, for the first time in a long time, I can have a breather, a break. I know that Osher and Zohar are together, having the most wonderful time – both together and in their separate age-groups. When I’ve visited camp, I’ve seen it with my very own eyes – I’ve seen the joy of them being together, the pride each one has in being brothers. Being here at camp, while in the midst of a cancer journey, helps them strengthen and deepen their sibling bond. And this is beyond precious for me.”

Looking Ahead: How You Can Help

As charitable funds divert to war-related causes, Sunrise Israel is working hard to maintain its life-changing programs while becoming more cost-effective. In the coming year, they hope to identify new donor partners, source more in-kind donations of food and transportation, bolster supplies of toys and games for the hospital programs and continue training staff to navigate the multicultural dynamics of their inclusive programs.

Together, we can help children facing cancer and their families experience the joy, hope, and resilience they so deeply deserve.

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.

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.

My heart breaks with the news of the horrific plane crash near Reagan National Airport late Wednesday night. May the memories of those lost in this unthinkable incident forever be a blessing, and may we send strength to all the first responders and officials working tirelessly on the investigation and extensive recovery operation still unfolding.

At the same time, since my last note, 12 more innocent people have been reunited with their friends and family. The videos have been deeply moving — it’s an incredible relief to see these hostages return home after almost 500 days of captivity. I can only imagine what they have gone through and what lies ahead.

I know we’re all waiting with bated breath for the return of three more hostages this weekend, including Keith Siegel, and of course, for every one of those still in captivity.

This past weekend, I had the privilege of joining the capstone retreat for Federation’s Jewish Community Leaders Program (JCLP) at Capital Camps. Together, we marked the culmination of a year’s worth of learning, growth, fostering deep relationships, and building trust. One participant captured the essence of the experience: “This weekend’s retreat capped off a tremendous year and opened up opportunities to engage meaningfully in the community. It nourished my soul.” I’m deeply inspired by this dynamic group, and more than confident in their ability to lead with passion and pride. It’s been an honor to be part of their journey. Many thanks to Shelly Kupfer and Mark Levitt for co-chairing, and to Dana Bornstein and Elisa Deener-Agus for being the professional leads on such a transformative program.

A recent ADL and Hillel International survey found that more than 83% of Jewish students on college campuses have experienced or witnessed antisemitism since October 7, 2023. In their message on the results, my colleagues Jonathan Greenblatt and Adam Lehman rightfully noted that, “universities must act decisively. They must speak out against antisemitism and ensure their campuses are safe for Jewish students.” I couldn’t agree more. I’m grateful that your support ensures Federation can continue to combat antisemitism in our schools, colleges, and universities.

Our Northern VA Leadership Cohort met last week for the second time — and enjoyed their time together so much they didn’t want it to end. Their focus on how to be inspiring leaders sparked rich discussions about how participants could apply shared insights within their respective organizations. These leaders are deeply dedicated to the future of the Jewish community in NOVA, and eager to continue this important work after their cohort wraps up. We’re lucky to have them help drive Jewish Northern VA forward.

A look ahead: More than two dozen excited travelers will come together tonight for a “kick-off” Shabbat dinner as they prepare for our Federation Intergenerational Mission to Panama next month. This initial gathering will begin to build lasting friendships and connections as they prepare to visit the largest Jewish community in Central America. I’m looking forward to their updates and pictures!