Dear Friend,
With your help, we closed 2022 with a strong message of solidarity and community-wide support by reaching our matching campaign goals and raising a final $10,000 at the year-end! In the weeks ahead, we will be closing the 2022 Annual Campaign with a final total, so please stay tuned for that announcement and celebration. In the meantime, our 2023 Annual Campaign is officially open! Reach out any time to our Donor Impact Office Bobby Naimark to learn more.
As we begin a new calendar year, there are many wonderful new opportunities to connect through the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts and our national network and experience the incredible, ground-breaking work taking place across the world.
This year, Jewish Federations of North America offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Jewish State! Beginning on Sunday evening, April 23 and concluding on Wednesday, April 26, we will convene in Israel for the Israel at 75 General Assembly, where we’ll dive into key issues of the day, engage in uniquely Israeli experiences, and take part in special celebrations of Israeli Independence Day. For FAQs and a preliminary schedule, click here. To register, click here. Please help spread the word!
There will also be a national mission beginning on Wednesday, April 19 in the lead-up to the Israel at 75 General Assembly. Learn more and register now!
In addition, there are two upcoming webinars from JFNA focused on Israel:
- On Thursday, January 12 at 11 am ET, we will focus on LGBTQ+ rights. Many members and supporters of the country’s LGBTQ+ community are troubled by the coalition’s inclusion of outspoken opponents of LGBTQ+ rights. Join us to learn what is being done to support the LGBTQ+ community in Israel. Register here.
- On Thursday, February 9 at 1 pm ET, we will focus on the relationship between religion and state in Israel. Some members of the new Israeli government are determined to make changes to the current situation; this issue has also been included in signed coalition agreements. Join us to explore which changes may be made, along with the possible ramifications. Register here.
Also this week, JFNA collaborated with the Jewish Agency for Israel to raise $3 million in just 24 hours to accept hundreds of MASA Journey applicants, many of whom are from Ukraine and Russia, who had been placed on a waiting list.
JEDI MLK Day Program: We not only remember the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other leaders of the Civil Rights Movement on Dr. King’s birthday each year, but we also take action in the name of justice, equity and liberty. Join us for the 3rd Annual MLK Day Morning Fuel Program on Monday, January 16th at 11 am ET. Click here to register.
Changemakers Fellowship: Applications for the Winter/Spring 2023 Session of the Jewish Changemakers Fellowship are live at this link. Changemakers is Jewish Federations’ leadership development initiative for Jewish young adults ages 20-25. Participants gain personal development and leadership skills, an anchoring in the broader Jewish community, and the tools, inspiration, and connections to make change. The spring session will meet weekly from February 6 through April 3. For more information, contact Lauren Silverman or visit jewishchangemakers.org.
Hazon Jewish Climate Leadership Coalition: The Jewish Climate Leadership Coalition invites you to an information session on Thursday, January 19 at 3 pm ET. The coalition, which launched in September, is the largest Jewish communal effort to date that addresses the growing climate crisis. Join this session to learn from Hazon about Coalition membership and how your Federation’s involvement can engage leaders, young adults, and other constituencies across your community in this important work. Hazon will share what membership entails and the support they can provide for your Federation to take meaningful action. Register here.
The Jewish Agency for Israel’s Leadership Mission: This mission to Mexico City, which will take place from Friday, February 17 to Monday, February 20, will show you the Jewish Agency’s work on the ground in Mexico and furnish opportunities to connect with the local Jewish community. The food will be strictly kosher and the program will allow for Shabbat observance. Register here. For more information, please reach out to Tali David at talid@jafi.org or Danyelle Neuman at danyellen@jafi.org.
There are many ways to get involved in the Western Massachusetts Jewish community, so please consider taking the next step forward and letting us know how you want to be a part of our work this year!
Shabbat shalom,
