| | |
Stepping Up in a New Era: A Message from Gil Preuss
Last night, I thought about how a community as dynamic and engaged as ours doesn’t just happen. Instead, what we have in Greater Washington is the result of many people’s efforts over many years. For more than two centuries, Jews in the area have been actively building the infrastructure of Jewish life and anticipating and responding to some of the greatest needs in modern Jewish history. I hope that this fact gives all of us an immense sense of pride. I also hope that it sparks in each of us an immense sense of responsibility to carry our legacy of impact forward.
| | |
| | |
Reunited and it feels so good...at Homecoming!
The smiles, laughter, and warm embraces between friends old and new were ubiquitous at last night's Homecoming. Thank you to the more than 450 people of all backgrounds and ages who joined Federation for this very special celebration of the community we have built together. It was a truly wonderful reunion, reconnecting those who first met on overseas missions, through Doing Good service projects, by learning together, and in leadership roles through Women's Philanthropy and Young Leadership, and more – and it was great to see new faces, too. We hope the hundreds of photographs on display from Federation’s and personal archives sparked great memories. Thank you to our intrepid co-chairs, Dede Feinberg and Philip Margolius, whose one goal was to make the evening fun – you certainly succeeded! We are also grateful to our dedicated Host Committee for spreading the word, and to speakers Julien Guttman, David Selden, and Mark Levitt, who shared their Federation stories and inspired us all to connect with purpose. And, of course, thanks to everyone who helped us to honor Paul S. Berger for his lifetime of service to the Jewish community. Attended but haven’t yet taken our survey?
Let us know what you thought of Homecoming.
| | |
| | |
Unwrapping Shavuot's Meaning – A Personal Reflection from Federation's Master Teacher, Avi West
When Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks writes that the festival of Shavuot is a “mystery wrapped in an enigma,” it definitely piques my curiosity. After all, Shavuot, the Festival of Weeks (or Pentecost, meaning “on the 50th day”), is one of the biblically ordained “pilgrimage festivals,” marking the Israelites’ journey to the Temple in Jerusalem to celebrate the three stages of redemption from Egyptian bondage. But what makes Shavuot so enigmatic?
| | |
| | |
Know a Jewish student heading 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.
| | |
| | |
A Shavuot Feast for All with Federation's Jewish Food Experience®
Ah, Shavuot… cheesecake, blintzes, and lasagna—what’s not to love? A lot, it turns out, if one half of your household is lactose intolerant and the other half has Celiac disease, writes JFE®’s Merav Levkowitz. Thankfully, there are plenty of delicious ways to make your Shavuot feast more inclusive. From the “spread-y” to the green to the heavy and everything in between, Federation’s Jewish Food Experience® has all your courses covered.
| | |
|
