Dear Friend,
I hope you will join us for the final Zoom performance of The Braid’s season with the theater show WHAT A SURPRISE! this Sunday, June 4 at 2PM ET. WHAT A SURPRISE! features original works from The Braid’s emerging artists, performed LIVE by professional actors. See the video above for a teaser I think you’ll enjoy and hopefully we’ll see you on Zoom on Sunday. To check out other upcoming events for adults and families alike please click here.
This May, we successfully reached our fundraising goal to receive a challenge match of $5,000 from B Generous! Thank you to all who joined in these efforts.
If you haven’t yet given to the 2023 Annual Campaign, it’s not too late to make your donation now by clicking the button below:
This week, the Jewish community delved into the comprehensive national strategy to combat antisemitism that was unveiled by the Biden Administration just before Shavuot. You can listen to Elana Broitman discuss Jewish Federations’ take on the plan on the Jewish Insider podcast.
As part of the growing national attention that is being paid to antisemitism, a major New York Times article this week featured Security Community Network (SCN), the organization that was founded by Jewish Federations in the wake of 9/11 to protect Jewish communities across the continent, as well as LiveSecure, the initiative that is providing the financial underpinnings for the new security umbrella.
Also this week, as the trial of Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life shooter began, Pittsburgh Federation CEO Jeff Finkelstein and 10.27 Healing Director Maggie Feinstein joined Eric Fingerhut for the premiere episode of the new Federation podcast, “The Glue.” Every episode will feature a local Federation leader and guest expert to discuss what holds communities together at a time when so many forces are working to pull people apart.
Jewish Federations are a year into our two-year special effort to bring over 3,100 Ethiopian olim to Israel and provide food and medical care to those continuing to wait in Ethiopia. Please read an update on these efforts, including a multipage, illustrated New York Times column by Bret Stephens about Ethiopian Aliyah, which he calls “one of the most inspiring episodes in Israel’s modern history.”
After weeks of vigorous and sustained advocacy by Federations on behalf of jailed Jewish journalist, Evan Gershkovich, Congress is considering passing a resolution to call for his release. Please use this Action Alert to urge your Representative to join this effort.
This Sunday is Holocaust Survivor Day, which honors the contributions that survivors have made to our society. An eJP oped this week by Kate Greene and Shelley Rood Wernick focused on how grandchildren and grandparents, including Holocaust survivors, can be emotional allies to each other in combating isolation, depression, and other mental health issues.
Shabbat shalom,
