Summary of 2022-2023 Annual Campaign Kickoff Event

In the next few paragraphs, I will provide a short synopsis of the program. We also encourage you to review the program in its entirety by clicking the video on the LEFT. Our President Pauline M. Zimmerman welcomed those assembled to the Breakfast, thanked the Federation Board Members and staff for all of their hard work and made the point that in all of its activities, the Federation’s main goal is to reach out to and support all of the Jewish institutions and Jewish communities in our Region.

I made the case for supporting the Federation by highlighting eight different ways that the Federation makes a difference to our community institutions and the Jewish people in our part of the State, specifically:

1. We elevate and serve the needs of all of our community’s organizations;
2. We provide meaningful grants, allocations and other financial support to an amazing variety of individuals and organizations in our community;
3. We provide a wide variety of Jewish education and social programs;
4. We engage in political advocacy and provide education in order promote the safety and security of the Jewish community and to promote Jewish values;
5. We take a lead role in helping our community and our neighbors to support and stand up for Israel;
6. We stand against Antisemitism and all forms of hate;
7. We have contracted with Secure Community Network to provide all of our community organizations with expert security training, assessments and advice, all at no cost to our community organizations.
8. We know how to respond to crises.

Please view the program to learn more about how the Federation provides all of these benefits.

We were extremely honored to have Senator Richard Blumenthal provide a very meaningful talk. Speaking with virtually no notes and clearly from the heart, the Senator documented his appreciation for the role of the Jewish Federation in protecting and leading the Jewish Community. He told the story of how his father fled Nazi Germany with little more than the shirt on his back. He talked about how he was proud to be a supporter of increased Nonprofit Security Grant funding that enhances the security of the Jewish community’s institutions, as well as other at-risk institutions.

However, he spent much of his talk addressing the Jewish value of “welcoming the stranger” and thanked our community for our efforts in supporting Afghan and Ukraine refugees. In that context, he specifically addressed the story of Nilab, the young woman who barely escaped Afghanistan while the rest of her family was not able to do so. I have written a lot about Nilab in our communications with the community, noting how both the Senator and the Federation met with her and are working to help Nilab. She, along with the American family who took her in and treats her like a daughter, and members of Team Nilab (a group assembled to provide support in her education and adjustment to the United States) were in attendance at the Kickoff Event. The Senator told Nilab and the rest of us gathered about his ongoing efforts to convince our government to do more to rescue American allies still in Afghanistan (like Nilab’s family).

Finally, Board Member and Program Committee Co-chair Lisa Miller ended the program by thanking all those who attended and announced a number of Federation programs to be held over the next month or two. She also reminded the group that their ongoing support is vital to our continuing to be able to fulfill our mission as a Federation. We are concluding this report with another reminder of the need for all of you to help your Federation in a manner that works for you.

Please click the “Donate Now” button or contact me to discuss your gift, as well as any questions, suggestions or concerns you may have. THANK YOU!