Dear Friend,
While the weather has been fairly temperate (at times), we can never tell what the winter months may bring! If you are thinking about ways to stay connected and engaged in Jewish community from home, there are many fantastic offerings from the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts, our local community, and our national community to take part in a wide range of activities.
Coming up on Monday, 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.
In addition, this month we are excited to co-sponsor a wonderful opportunity for local families to win a trip to Israel! Please visit the website for more information.
We are now launching an opportunity in partnership with The Braid to enable members of our community to attend LIVE virtual performances of an original Jewish-themed production entitled “Remembrance of Things Present.” It features empowering stories of Jewish strength from the children and grandchildren of Holocaust survivors. We invite you to register to attend either performance, a live reading of these important stories. With gratitude for all of our 2022 Annual Campaign donors, we are offering a free ticket to any current donor who would like to attend, and a subsidized ticket cost to any community member who is not yet a donor. Thank you for making our essential work possible. We hope that you will join us for this important performance.
Updates and reminders from our national network:
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!
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,
