While it continues to be the Federation’s campaign slogan, we are able to do our important and noble work because of our commitment to be: Here for Good. The Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley ensures that our Jewish community thrives from dor l’dor. Good doesn’t just happen on its own. It comes from our collective dedication to the promise of a flourishing Jewish future. It is also our commitment to community programming so that we can count on one another to continue to help good grow. Just as we have in the past. Just as we will in the future. 

As we began the 2024 campaign and program year, with all the hopes and aspirations that a new year brings, none of us could have been prepared for the horrific events of October 7. Like many Jewish communities around the world, we no doubt shifted our focus and found ourselves at an important crossroads. How will we respond to the challenges that these unbearable events brought? How will we respond to and support our beloved State of Israel and our family and friends there? How will we ensure a secure community and, in light of rampant antisemitism, how will we convey our passion and hopes for Jewish life to the next generation?

I have spoken in the past about the importance of creating a kehillah kedosha—a sacred community—about how, with all our agencies and synagogues working together, the Lehigh Valley Jewish community will remain vibrant and strong. It is you, our many donors and volunteers, who help us provide for a resilient Jewish community. This year, we found ourselves launching an unprecedented Israel Emergency Campaign while maintaining a vibrant annual campaign. Our Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs is the lifeline that keeps our communal agencies and synagogues healthy. To those who have given to both our Israel Emergency Campaign and to our annual campaign, my sincere thanks and appreciation for your strong generosity. If you have not yet made a gift to either campaign, I encourage you to consider making a donation. Every gift makes a difference in the Lehigh Valley and beyond. Your generosity delivers vital funding to ensure that critical programs and services are available here and around the world. It is why we are here. And when a crisis strikes, it is why we are here for the community long after it passes.

Jewish Federations play significant roles not just as funders but as community conveners. I am proud of the work we do at our Jewish Federation and I am blessed to be working with our board of directors, our volunteer leaders, and our staff to bring us into the next chapter of Jewish life in the Lehigh Valley. I am also grateful for the many grassroots efforts that we see in our community to keep hope and resilience at the forefront of our activities since October 7.

What will the next chapter of our story look like? The book about our community will not be written by a single author. It will be a collaborative piece, with essay and verse from many contributors. I hope you will be a strong part of our efforts as we move ahead. And as we move forward, I remain dedicated to keeping you apprised of our progress. I am confident that transparency, accountability, focus, and impact will continue to guide us on our journey together.

There will be change and we will be smart about the programs we implement and the decisions we make. Once again, our campaign slogan, Here for Good, emphasizes and reminds us of our responsibility to provide for the greater good. Our community is fortunate to have so many talented people with ideas to share. Your input is valued and most welcome.

We have a great deal of work ahead of us and, with your help, we will commemorate tragic events together and we will celebrate many remarkable accomplishments together. 

I look forward to seeing you as we begin to plan for the next year ahead so that together we can share in this journey. To each of you, I say a heartfelt “thank you” for the difference you are making each and every day. May we continue to go from strength to strength!