Dear Friend,
I am proud to share with you that the 2022 Annual Campaign has already reached more than 50% of this year’s fundraising goal — and we haven’t even sent out pledge cards yet! Please stay tuned for your opportunity to share in our work together toward a stronger future for our Jewish community here in Western Massachusetts, in Israel, and around the world. Joined by partners from all walks of life, all religious backgrounds, ages and stages, we can ensure that all those in need have the support, safety, and nourishment to not only meet basic needs but to thrive through educational and cultural programs.
If you can’t wait for this summer’s Annual Campaign mailing, don’t worry! You can email me any time to make your pledge to the campaign (payable by Dec. 31, 2022), or make a donation on our website right now: https://jewishwesternmass.org/give.
If you have already made your Annual Campaign contribution, or this isn’t the right time for you, don’t stop reading! This Sunday, we will be sending out an email survey that is customized just for you. This secure process will enable you to update the contact information in our database and ensure that you are receiving the types of updates that are most meaningful to you. Please keep an eye out for the email, and if you don’t receive it, I hope you will let me know.
In addition, please see below for some important updates from our Jewish Federations of North America network about Ukraine, the Social Safety Net, a Jewish perspective on Dobbs v. Jackson, BDS, and safety at the Kotel.
The war in Ukraine has dragged on for almost five months; please click here for the latest update on what is taking place on the ground, including the ongoing efforts of Jewish Federations and our partners.
The Strategic Health Resource Center (SHRC) has just released its 2021 Annual Report, which highlights Jewish Federations’ accomplishments in three major areas: promoting innovation in the Medicaid and Medicare programs, developing public-private partnerships between the federal government and the long-term care insurance industry, and engaging the community during Jewish Disability Advocacy Month. Click here for more details.
Join Jewish Federations on Monday, July 18 at 1 pm ET for a conversation on the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Healthcare, which overturned Roe v. Wade. Hear from accomplished speakers on Jewish law perspectives, as well as from featured speakers from the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) on state law developments and their potential impacts for women’s health and health providers. Also hear from Jewish organizations on ways to be active in your communities on these issues. You can register for the event here.
Today, Jewish Federations of North America spearheaded a letter signed by 10 national organizations and nearly 80 local Jewish Federations to financial services firm Morningstar demanding action to root out anti-Israel bias. Today’s letter noted that additional measures need to be enacted to ensure that anti-Israel bias is not incorporated into Morningstar’s ratings. You can read the full letter here.
At the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Board of Governors plenary earlier in the week, Federations introduced a resolution that urged the Israeli government to take immediate action to protect the safety of all worshippers at the Kotel following last week’s incident of a despicable attack on families celebrating their b’nai mitzvah. The resolution passed unanimously. For eJP’s coverage, click here.
Please be in touch any time. I look forward to hearing from you!
Shabbat shalom,
