The same issues are present for Jews in the Former Soviet Union, where these young people are being raised in an environment where their parents, who grew up under Communism, were denied any Jewish knowledge.  It exists in Germany, where so many Jews from the Former Soviet Union have resettled.  And it exists in Israel, where there may be a strong Israeli identity, but the Jewish part is lacking in some sectors.
 
I believe this is an exciting time for our Federation system.  As this new Global Planning Table forms, we have the opportunity for all Federations to work together collectively to make a deep impact on important issues.  In the Jewish world, we often say that when people or organizations function in their own "tunnel", they are "making Shabbat for themselves".
 
Let's make Shabbat and our Jewish future together.  And with that, I wish you a Shabbat Shalom.
 
 
P.S.  We really need your help at one of our upcoming F3 Phoning sessions taking place on three Sundays in February.  To sign up, please click here.
 
P.P.S.  There will be no message next week.  I hope to see many of you at one of our Snowbirds Events in Boca Raton, Naples and Longboat Key.
 
P.P.P.S.  I hope that everyone gets to see the Federation’s Centennial Exhibit now displayed in the lobby of the South Hills JCC.

Shabbat Shalom,

 

Jeff Finkelstein