Dear Friend,
Over the past week, while I have been out of town for some time away with my family, much has been happening across our country. Many of us have felt a range of emotions in response to recent events. I hope that we will continue to hold space for one another and actively work toward a better world. While we may feel powerless, there are actions we can take. Thank you to our partners at Beit Ahavah for recommending today’s 4pm Zoom program from National Council of Jewish Women and more upcoming national events around reproductive justice.
In our local community, in the United States, in Israel, and around the world, the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts continues to focus on our core Jewish values: tzedakah (philanthropy), tikkun olam (repairing the world), k’lal Yisrael (communal responsibility) and Torah (Jewish learning). We are inspired by our tradition to do all we can for one another, whether promoting human rights, support for Jewish institutions, or financial aid for students, just to name a few of the items on our minds today.
Students, apply by June 27:
If you know a student who is planning or hoping to attend an Israel travel or study program this summer or fall, it’s not too late to apply for a scholarship through the Jewish Endowment Foundation, so please share the application link with those who may be interested. While applications may be considered on a rolling basis, we recommend completing the application by June 27 for those planning to attend a summer program.
Thank you for being part of our proud tradition of 96 years as a Jewish Federation! As always, I look forward to connecting with you, so please be in touch. You can also support our work with a gift to the Annual Campaign, which enables us to provide support where it is needed most.
I am also deeply grateful for the support of our local donors, our volunteer leadership, and of course our Federation staff. Please give a warm welcome to our new Controller Bruce Turcotte, who recently replaced former CFO Stephen Balicki on our staff. See his introduction in the video at the top of this email! Bruce joins us with a long history in the field of Accounting, a strong skill set, and a fantastic attitude and desire to give back; we are pleased to have him on our team!
Shabbat shalom,
