The Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley is Here for Good to ensure that our Jewish community thrives from dor l’dor. Good doesn’t just happen on its own. It comes from our collective dedication, to the promise of a flourishing Jewish future. It is also our commitment to intergenerational programming so that we can count on one another to continue to help good grow. Just as we have in the past. Just as we will in the future.
Having experienced a pandemic, our community, like many Jewish communities around the world, is no doubt at an important crossroads. How will we grow? How will we make sure that the passion for Jewish life that many of us feel gets passed on to the next generation?
I have spoken in the past about the importance of creating a kehillah kedosha (a sacred community) — with all of our agencies and synagogues working together, the Lehigh Valley Jewish community will remain vibrant and strong. It is you, our many donors and volunteers, who help us provide for an exciting and resilient Jewish community. Our Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs is the lifeline that keeps our communal agencies and synagogues healthy. To those who have given to our annual campaign, my sincere thanks and appreciation. If you have not yet given a gift, I encourage you to consider making a donation. Every gift makes a difference in the Lehigh Valley and beyond. Your generosity delivers vital funding to ensure critical programs and services are available. It is how we are here to respond when a crisis strikes, and it is how we are here for the community long after it passes.
Jewish Federations play significant roles not just as funders, but as community conveners. I am proud of the work we do at our Jewish Federation, and I am blessed to be working with our board of directors, our volunteer leaders, and our staff to bring us into the next chapter of Jewish life in the Lehigh Valley.
What will that chapter look like? I can tell you that the book about our community will not be written by a single author. It will be a collaborative piece, with essay and verse from many contributors. And as we move forward, I remain dedicated to keeping you apprised of our progress. I am confident that transparency, accountability, focus, and impact will continue to guide us on our journey together.
There will be change and we will be smart about the programs we implement, and the decisions we make. This year’s campaign slogan, Here for Good, emphasizes and reminds us of our responsibility to provide for the greater good. Our community is fortunate to have so many talented people with ideas to share, and your input is most welcome.
We have a great deal of work ahead of us and, with your help, we will celebrate many remarkable accomplishments. I look forward to seeing more of you as we begin slowly to emerge from our COVID isolation so that together we can embark on this journey. To each of you, I say a heartfelt “thank you” for the difference you are making every day. May we continue to go from strength to strength!