From the Desk of Jeri Zimmerman

The monthly column of Jeri Zimmerman, executive director of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley

Purim 2024

This year, Purim begins the evening of Saturday, March 23, and continues through the following evening, Sunday, March 24.

While looking for ways to frame the Purim story and the current mood of our community since October 7, I came across an article written by Alesandra Dubin in the January…

The time of your life...

Despite the cold weather of February, it’s already time to start thinking about summer camp! Camp is all about fun and real-world learning. Going to summer camp helps kids form their Jewish identities. In addition to being totally fun, Jewish camp is a place for young Jews to learn more ab…

Together, we will be OK

Since October 7, 2023, I have read a number of blogs from Israel addressing the basic conversational question How are you? What was once a simple greeting has become complex, leading to a new response: We’re not OK. 

I cannot remember a time when our concerns for the well-being of oursel…

A holiday of resistance and hope

This month, as we celebrate Chanukah, an ancient story of Jewish strength and resilience, it clearly has significant lessons and meaning in modern times. These days, due to its December celebration, Chanukah has been conflated with Christmas as a holiday celebrated by gift giving and winter …

#BRINGTHEMHOME

More than 1,400 murdered, 4,800 injured, 224 held captive. More than 8,000 rockets launched and 500,000 Israelis displaced from their homes. The deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust and the worst terrorist attack in Israel’s history.
 
Young people at a music festival. Children hi…