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07 February 2025
Over the past few weeks, there have been a series of reports and announcements about potential and proposed programmatic and funding changes at the local, state, and Federal levels. Some of these have the potential for significant impact on our local organizations and our community.
Together with other local organizations, the JCRC, and our national parent organization, the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), we are actively working to understand potential changes and to mitigate their impact. This is important and ongoing work during complicated times. There may be times when we need broad communal engagement to address proposed changes. We thank you for your engagement and support.
500 Days in Hamas Captivity
My heart swells with joy every time I hear of hostages being released from Hamas captivity. Yet, we are now approaching a somber milestone in this ongoing conflict — the hostages taken on October 7th have been held for nearly 500 days. On Tuesday, February 18th, I hope you will join me and many others at an important program jointly sponsored by Federation, Washington Hebrew Congregation, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, and the Washington Board of Rabbis, as we unite as a community to demand the safe return of all hostages. We will have the chance to hear from family members of those still held hostage.
Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month
We’ve reached the midway point of our inaugural Lieberman Fellowship for Jewish Organizations Serving Young Adults, in partnership with Matan. This year-long cohort involves working with and learning from individuals with disabilities. Yesterday, 40 participants from 10 different organizations gathered with over a dozen members of the Makom community for a hands-on learning project. Federation’s Lisa Handelman shared with me, “There is an energy in the room, a willingness to ask challenging questions and to be self-reflective.” We are proud that our Lieberman Fellowship participants are contributing to the broader landscape of disability inclusion in the DC metro area.
Building Bridges with Our Friends in Israel
I had the privilege of welcoming this year’s MAOZ Fellows to Federation during their time in DC this week. MAOZ is an Israeli NGO dedicated to strengthening a network of professional leaders who foster trust and collaboration across a diverse swath of Israeli society. This was the first time the program has brought its cohort to DC. The fellows represent a wide variety of sectors from across Israeli society who share a common goal — a commitment to building the future of Israel. I really enjoyed our conversations about American Jewry and our relationship with Israel since the October 7th attacks.
Women’s Philanthropy Community Gatherings
I heard from those who attended our Women’s Philanthropy Community Gatherings this past weekend just how wonderful they were. Fifty-five women attended the events in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. One woman who attended one of these events for the first time shared, “I’m excited to get involved and make a difference in the Jewish community.” It is great to see that these events are achieving their mission of building a sense of community within our Greater Washington Jewish community.
