By Nancy B. Greer
President & CEO
Jewish life is always on, bringing people together and making our connections stronger. Look at what is happening, right now as you read this, thanks to your generous support of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle.
Hundreds of children are enjoying wonderful times at Jewish overnight summer camp, a door to Jewish life that Federation camp scholarships opened wider.
A cohort of up-and-coming community leaders from Federation’s recently concluded Courageous Leadership Initiative are at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem to explore profound questions about Israel and Jewish life. Another cohort of young adults from Seattle is ready to embark on a life-changing Honeymoon Israel experience.
In Central Europe, Ukrainian refugees are receiving food, medicine, and other vital assistance. Many Jews who fled the war are starting new lives in Israel.
Those are just a few examples of the many ways that together, we have made our community more vibrant, resilient, and more connected than ever over the past 12 months, even in the face of the many challenges that our turbulent world has thrown at us. We are making investments in Jewish life to ensure a vibrant Jewish future, because the stronger we are, the more effectively we can combat antisemitism, the number one concern of our community today.
With the start of our new fiscal year on July 1, less than a week from now, I want to thank you for adding your spark to Jewish life and ask you to renew your support of Federation. The foundation of our work over the past 12 months and in the year to come is relationships: the heart of community and a source of its strength.
Relationships strengthen our fight against antisemitism, from the Jewish Community Relations Council’s vigorous advocacy to SAFE Washington’s broad community security services for Jewish organizations statewide.
Your investment in Federation will support the vital work of countering antisemitism, fighting hatred in all its pernicious forms, and building a world where all feel safe and welcome.
Relationships are a driver for the Jewish learning and cultural events that foster stronger people-to-people connections. Relationships emerge, grow, and blossom through Jewish experiences like young adults learning leadership skills, families reading PJ Library books and going on PJ outings together, and kids creating lifelong ties to Judaism at summer camp.
Your investment in Federation will help ensure that anyone can find a fulfilling connection to Jewish life.
It’s been a busy 12 months. Building and fostering relationships is hard work, but well worth the gain in a strong, thriving community. All in the spirit of Kehilla/Areivut, the ways in which we all contribute to the well-being of the Jewish people, here and around the world.
We’re looking forward to another active year and invite you to be our partner by renewing your support for Federation today. If you’ve already done so, thank you for caring and making a difference.
Happy Summer!
