By Nancy B. Greer
President & CEO
At sunset tomorrow, Rosh Hashanah, the “head of the year,” will arrive, the beginning of the Days of Awe and a time for reflection and a fresh start.
The year that’s drawing to a close has been one with many challenges—the persistent pandemic, violence in the Middle East, yet another eruption of antisemitism. One thing has remained certain, however: our collective determination to stay strong and connected, and our resilience to find seeds of hope, plant them, and nurture them into exciting new possibilities for Jewish life.
You, our generous donors, make it possible for us to do the hard and fulfilling work of serving Jewish Puget Sound and building a vibrant Jewish future for our children and grandchildren. Every day, my colleagues and I remember your commitment and every day we thank you.
That brings to mind a few highlights from 5781 that I’d like to share with you. A year ago at this time, we were just six months into the pandemic and learning by doing to create compelling virtual Jewish experiences. Necessity being the mother of invention, the imperative of keeping people safe has opened new horizons for making Jewish life more accessible. These are lessons that serve us now and will serve us when, at last, we can think of the pandemic in the past tense. That work will continue in 5782.
In 5782, we’ll also continue the critical work of the Jewish Community Relations Council, now just over a year old. Since the JCRC opened its doors, it has energetically carried out its mission to build greater cohesion in Jewish Puget Sound and enhance our capacity to speak with one voice—on fighting the increase in antisemitism and on the many other issues that affect Jewish life.
All of the work that your Federation carries out with your generous support is grounded on organizational values rooted in Jewish wisdom traditions. Whenever I think about the future we’re building together, our shared value of Kehilla/Areivut (community/mutual responsibility) renews my hope that we have a bright Jewish future to look forward to.
Your generosity is the spark that powers your Federation’s service to the community that we all love. From all of us at Federation, we wish you and your loved ones a healthy and sweet new year.
L’Shanah Tovah!
