Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on December 4, 2021

FEDERATION 411

By ohtadmin | on December 01, 2021

With Thanksgiving and Chanukah so close to one another this year, it feels like the perfect time to take stock of all that I am grateful for. These are holidays that are laden with tradition and that comes with a sense that we are more connected to one another and to our histories during these celebrations. Its a feeling that I try to carry with me throughout the year, acknowledging all that I am thankful forthe people, the community, and the strength of our Judaism.

I am grateful for the people I work with each daythe Jewish Federation and agency staff who are the bedrock of so many vital programs and services in our community, and the lay leaders, both past and present, who give so much of themselves and whose leadership guides us in all that we do throughout our Federation system. I am also grateful for my cohort of execs across the country who are each building strong Jewish communities just like we have here in South Jersey. Their comradery is invaluable. I am grateful for the staff and leadership at our local synagogues, Jewish day schools, and other Jewish institutions who are all working with the Jewish Federation and our agencies to build a vibrant community with us.

I am grateful for our community. Your generosity every time you make a giftwhether its $1 or $1-millionmeans that we can continue our mission to help those in need. I am forever thankful for the hundreds of dedicated volunteers we have across our Jewish Federation system. Your commitment to making a difference in someones life is critical to the continuation of so many of our programs and services. You bring a smile, hope, and love into someones life every time you make a food delivery, a friendly visit, or drive someone to a doctors appointment. And I am grateful to our clients, our program participants, and our event attendees. Your participation in our programs and services shows that what we have built here is neededa place to call home for counseling services, early childhood education, summer day camp, Holocaust education, Jewish news, fitness and wellness programs, supports for older adults and individuals with special needs, and, really truly, so much more.

And I am grateful for the strength of our collective Judaism. I am thankful to live and work in a community where so many Jewish institutions have taken root and thrived. We have an abundance of options to connect to our Judaism in the way that is most meaningful for each of us personally, which means that we also have an abundance of resources for those times when life throws us challenges. We have the strength of our community and our Jewish institutions to turn to when we are faced with anti- Semitism, personal hardships, or finding our Jewish journey in life.

Thank you. I am truly grateful for all of you. Wishing you and your family a Chanukah Sameach!

jweiss@jfedsnj.org

Read more:

So much to be grateful for at this time of year - Jewish Community Voice

Category: Judaism
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