There is a famous midrash (a story interpreting the Bible in a Jewish context) that says when the Israelite people received the Torah at Mount Sinai, every Jewish soul- past, present and future- was there. It is a powerful lesson of unity, of shared destiny, and of collective purpose.

This midrash explains why we all feel the fear and pain that was experienced at the Nova Music Festival. It is why we are repelled by the thought of abandoning our hostages to the Gaza tunnels. And it accounts for the sinking feeling we experience when we learn about Jews in need here at home and around the world.

As Jews, we are truly bound TOGETHER AS ONE (which also happens to be this year’s Annual Campaign theme – see Page 3 for more).

A united community is the foundational building block of Jewish life. So when the Jewish Federation is raising money and proving critical services, that is just a means to an end. Our goal is not growing a campaign and having successful programs. Rather, our goal is a flourishing Jewish community that extends far beyond our reach and provides for the varied and special needs of every Jewish household. For example:

• The Hamsa Fund provides funds for over 100 young people to have education and life enrichment opportunities, many of which choose to participate in a more fully Jewish life.
• PJ Library delivers monthly Jewish books to over 600 children in our community.
• Our leadership development programs like Prystowsky ATID, 36 Under 36, and the Maurer Koach Program identify and motivate our community’s emerging and future leaders.
• Our annual campaign is the financial backbone of the entire community supporting services and programs through our agencies, Jewish organizations, and Israel and overseas.

Our job at the Jewish Federation is to make sure our community has everything it needs to thrive. It’s not about what we can do for ourselves, it’s about what we can provide for the community and our partners. We know that when they have what they need to excel, we are all lifted up. And we do this TOGETHER AS ONE.

Every year is a fresh start. The responsibility never fades. We must raise the funds and plan the programs that allow our entire community to rise. None of this can be done alone.

When you stand with us, we all stand together at Mount Sinai.