This morning, I toured the soon to be opened Jason Kramer Hall, a new facility of Jewish Residential Services.  This building will house residents with intellectual disabilities.  JRS provides not just an apartment, but a home with the supportive services necessary for the residents to live independently.  It is what it is.  It will be what you make of it.

In Israel this past week, residents in the South endured missile attacks from the Gaza Strip.  These civilians spend chunks of their days running in and out of shelters as sirens blare.  Through the Federation, we have supported the Jewish Agency and its Victims of Terror Fund to provide these residents with some respite.  It is what it is.  It will be what you make of it.

A few of our volunteers participated in a national mission to Moscow and Israel last month.  In Moscow, they visited a summer camp where children with little or no Jewish identity attend.  Many of these kids are very poor and live in homes with little or no Jewish knowledge.  It is what it is.  It will be what you make of it.

Speaking of Jewish identity, we have serious challenges with our own kids in Pittsburgh.  How do we make sure that, while living in an open and wonderful United States of America, that our next generation maintains its connection to the Jewish people?  Beyond the funding the Federation already provides to proven programs to positively impact identity, we also launched the Centennial Fund for a Jewish Future and have secured over $17 Million to date.  It is what it is.  It will be what you make of it. 

We have many challenges and opportunities in the Jewish world.  It will be what WE make of it.

Shabbat Shalom.

P.S.  On Wednesday, our entire Federation staff spent the afternoon together at the Pirates Game at PNC Park.  The weather was beautiful and the Pirates shut out the Brewers 2-0.  A winner of a day for an amazing team of dedicated staff!