By Nancy B. Greer
President & CEO
Thanksgiving, a warm tradition of family and friends coming together to share gratitude and cheer around a wonderful feast, will be different this year. The pandemic that has upended our lives has intruded into a cherished holiday that unites Americans of all backgrounds. It’s another bit of difficult news in a year that has brought more than its share of strains into our lives.
While we must, out of necessity, set aside plans for the large holiday gatherings that we may be accustomed to, I won’t let current realities spoil Thanksgiving and I bet that many of you feel the same way. The power of community and the spirit of gratitude are more than a match for the challenges that have come our way.
There is much to be thankful for. In the past nine months, Jewish Puget Sound has pulled together to keep our community vibrant—reimagining how we engage with Jewish life, finding new ways to amplify our energies through collaboration, doing the hard work of building a cohesive community whose collective strength is greater than the sum of its parts.
The Tuesday after Thanksgiving is Giving Tuesday, a day for reflecting on what we wish for the future and doing our part to build a secure Jewish future together. I invite you to join in that shared undertaking by making a gift to your Federation on Giving Tuesday.
Together, we are meeting the challenges because of you, our generous donors. I am so thankful for your dedication to Jewish continuity. Because of you, young families experience memorable Jewish moments in their homes, like PJ Library® gatherings and Havdalah celebrations. Because of you, many hundreds of community members have joined in uplifting events like Pride Shabbat and the Finding Our Voices Passover and High Holidays experiences. Because of you, young adults have found pathways to engage with Jewish life and step up to community leadership through Federation programs like Reset & Refresh and Netivim.
Through it all, you have nurtured relationships, the beating heart of a lively community. You have planted the seeds of good ideas that have grown into lasting impact. Thank you!
Looking ahead, we are working on exciting programs in the coming year to continue strengthening relationships and building community. An intensive learning experience for community leaders with the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America. The growth of our Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) as a vital institution for fostering our unity and mobilizing our strengths. New initiatives for bringing people together for learning, for connection, for discovering new byways on our Jewish journeys.
Your generous support is the spark behind the impact. Thank you for participating in Giving Tuesday. Together, we lift people up.
May you and your loved ones have a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving!
