By Nancy B . Greer
President & CEO
It was great to see so many of you at our Annual Meeting on Thursday and lighting candles together at Pride Shabbat on Friday. I was so deeply moved and I was reminded again that the work we do is made possible solely by the support of our community, from your gifts to Federation.
So really, Federation’s success in ensuring a vibrant and thriving Jewish community is your success. Every time we have hundreds of community members come together to connect, it’s thanks to you. Every family who lights Shabbat candles after reading a PJ Library® book is because of you. Every new leader who is asked to join a community organization board is because of you. Every time we bring people together to fight against injustice, you are joining that fight by virtue of your support.
This spark of Jewish life that the Federation helps light is because of you. And now, more than ever, we need your help to keep doing what we do best.
Thursday night, I shared that as I look back on these past several months, when the world changed radically around us, one thing stands out above all — how swiftly and effectively our Jewish community continued to meet the many needs in a spirit of collaboration, innovation, and resilience.
Your Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle finds new ways to carry out our timeless mission to ensure Jewish continuity and we will continue to innovate as we come into the new year. From lobbying to secure urgently needed resources for community services to mastering the art of gathering people in front of Zoom rectangles. Serious work goes into keeping Jewish Puget Sound strong, connected, and ready for whatever the future holds.
I am so grateful for the impact you make possible. Your generosity in these challenging times and your dedication to community made all the difference. And, as we are just days from the close of our fiscal year on June 30, we need your help. We can’t do this work without you, so I am asking you to renew your support so that we can build on this year’s accomplishments. From a strong foundation of Jewish values, we will keep our mission of ensuring Jewish continuity front and center.
Looking ahead to the 2021 fiscal year, it is already clear that we face a changed world, bringing new imperatives. Ongoing priorities remain urgent. Confronting antisemitism and providing safety for our organizations. Fighting hate and racism. Supporting our Jewish community in Israel and all over the world. Fostering civil discourse around these and other issues about which our community cares deeply will be critical.
Our work on these priorities, with your generous support, will make a difference. You are changing people’s lives. Your gift turns ideas into impact. Your generosity is the spark that makes our community thrive today and enlivens the promise of a bright tomorrow.
Let’s continue the good work that we are doing together and build on it. Please renew your support of your Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle today. Thank you for all that you do.
