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Strengthening our Culture of Collaboration: A Message from Gil Preuss
Since March, Federation has been forced to shift quickly. But the recent crises actually allowed us to rapidly implement changes that were already in process: Federation’s commitments to strengthening our community’s culture of collaboration and our use of data to meet community needs. Federation’s emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated our collaborative approach and drove home the idea that individual entities are stronger and can do more when they operate as part of one collective whole.
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Federation Launches the Jewish Community COVID-19 Impact Survey for Greater Washington
To understand the impact of the coronavirus crisis for individuals and households in our region, Federation is partnering with the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University, and with Jewish organizations and synagogues across the region, to conduct the Jewish Community COVID-19 Impact Survey for Greater Washington. Help us learn as much as possible by completing the survey and sharing the link with your local friends and family. Your answers will help our local institutions best respond to our community's changing needs. (All answers are confidential and no personally identifiable information will be shared with Federation or other organizations.)
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Meet Local Hero Stephanie Simenauer Lynn
As a hospice nurse at Federation partner agency JSSA, Stephanie Simenauer Lynn wants to help her patients achieve a "gentle landing," a calm and tranquil death, without physical suffering and with loved ones by their side. But during the first few months of the coronavirus pandemic, this became difficult to achieve. Not only were more people getting sick, but those who entered hospice infected with COVID-19 were also dying more quickly than other patients. In addition, families could not be physically present because facilities like nursing homes and assisted-living centers were closed to all visitors during the pandemic. Despite these challenging circumstances, Stephanie and her team continued to provide care for their patients during their final moments, giving what comfort they could in the absence of their loved ones.
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Become a Jconnector: Mobilize your community to make a difference in someone's life
Are you looking for ideas and support to create a new volunteer group? Seeking ways to leverage existing grassroots volunteer efforts? Already part of a group (synagogue group, neighborhood group, book club, hobby group, etc.) or a network of friends that is eager to help those most affected by the pandemic? Start making a difference in someone's life by becoming a Jconnector! Visit Jconnections to find resources and curated volunteer opportunities throughout Greater Washington as well as tools and support to create and mobilize your own grassroots volunteer group in acts of loving kindness.
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Know a Jewish student heading off to college?
You can help them connect to Jewish life on campus! One of the biggest challenges about starting college is finding a place to make connections and meet new friends, and Hillel eases that transition. If you know an incoming, Jewish first-year college student, share this online form or fill it out on their behalf to connect them with the Hillel on their campus before they arrive in the fall. They’ll receive a warm welcome from Hillel staff and the opportunity to experience Jewish life from the day they set foot on campus.
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