My name is Barry Federman, Western Mass is home, but the Federation has always been a part of my life, regardless of where I lived. My mother, of blessed memory, was a schoolteacher, and when she passed more than 45 years ago, the Federation founded a scholarship in her honor which was awarded for 30 years.

My son lived in Kansas when our grandson was born. Sam came into the world at 23.5 weeks and weighed a pound and a half, my son wanted to speak to a rabbi. I called the local Federation which immediately helped me find a rabbi, but even more incredible was the fact that members of the Federation established weekly visits to the hospital to support my son, daughter-in-law, and grandson.

I believe in the Federation. It supports phenomenal local, national, and international Jewish and educational programs and is always there when you are in need.