Month: October 2025

At a Federation program earlier this week, Dr. Tal Becker from the Shalom Hartman Institute urged us not to ask if the glass is half full or half empty in this moment but rather how do we add water to the glass?  All of our participation counts, the way we choose to be involved in Jewish life helps fill the glass and increase our potential for strengthening our society and our community.

In this way, to give to Federation is to be part of a community-wide effort to strengthen and secure the Jewish future and fill our communal glass. It is also a way to make an urgent difference in the here and now. SNAP benefits expire tomorrow. The government shutdown continues. Thousands of workers are furloughed. Others are facing layoffs. Our friends, neighbors, and people across the region are going to need a helping hand. We can and must be there with arms extended.

We also know from decades of research and experience that meaningful Jewish experiences have lasting effects on someone’s life. Jewish learning opportunities, Shabbat dinners, sleepaway camp, youth groups, day schools, Israel trips, and so on help Jews of all ages explore and find the joy in what it means to be Jewish. To give to Federation is to support the creation of a vibrant Jewish community by enabling more people to experience meaningful Jewish experiences.

There are just two months left in the year—and $8 million still to raise in unrestricted funds to support our partner agencies and strengthen vibrant Jewish life across Greater Washington. Make your gift today to help us carry the momentum through the end of the year.

At a time when so much feels out of our control, a favorite quote from Jewish novelist Isaac Bashevis Singer comes to mind, “We must believe in free will. We’ve got no choice.” So much is up in the air, but we still get to decide how to move forward and be there for one another.

Stake your claim in what comes next by giving to Federation and investing in community. Help us fill our communal cup to the brim.

In response to the alarming rise in antisemitic incidents and the growing need for enhanced protection across the region, the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington (JFGW) is distributing over $375,000 to support the urgent security needs of more than 30 Jewish organizations in the Greater Washington area. This allocation follows the July distribution of more than $460,000 for the same purpose.

These funds will enable organizations to increase security personnel and strengthen high-priority infrastructure, such as cameras and fences, amid an intensified threat environment, including the tragic attack at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington earlier this year.

“Federation stands with our community in this moment of heightened anxiety and rising costs,” said Joel Frankel, Senior Director of Community Capacity Initiatives. “We know these funds won’t erase the threat we face, but they will ease the burden on Jewish communal institutions and give them greater freedom to focus on their mission—knowing we’re working together to safeguard Jewish life, learning, and connection in our region.”

These allocations are in addition to the nearly $170,000 Federation is distributing to local early childhood education facilities in partnership with The Tepper Foundation’s national Emergency Security Fund, awarded through Jewish Federations of North America.

As Executive Director of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Washington, Sara Brenner is building a culture of giving that’s collective, values-driven, and deeply personal.

“I want this to be a place where people can realize their dreams and connect to their Judaism more deeply,” Sara says. “Our role is to help donors amplify their impact, deepen the connection between their Jewish values and philanthropy, and advance their goals with deeper purpose, in whatever ways feel most meaningful to them.”

A Jewish Journey of Learning and Connection

Sara grew up in a New Jersey town where Jews were few and far between. Her synagogue became her second home. “I started Hebrew school in kindergarten and went through 12th-grade confirmation. I loved it, it was just in my heart and in my soul.”

She was the friend who encouraged others not to drop out and who rallied them back when they left. Though she didn’t attend day school or Jewish summer camp, that community shaped her Jewish identity. A high school trip on March of the Living, and later a year studying abroad in Israel during the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, deepened her connection.

“I had such a strong will to stay in Israel, even during that time,” she recalls. “It was a very difficult period, but it only strengthened my connection.”

Her lifelong love of Jewish learning led her to minor in Jewish Studies and, later, to weave her Jewish values into her professional life.

Bringing Her Values to Work

Before joining Federation, Sara spent more than 25 years helping communities across the country thrive—strengthening education, housing, workforce, and health systems, while advising philanthropists and community foundations on how to invest for long-term impact.

“I always felt my Judaism showed up in my work,” she explains. “Repairing the world is part of who I am.”

When the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington launched the Jewish Community Foundation, Sara saw a chance to bring her professional expertise home. “I had been helping community foundations across the country shift toward more impact-focused work. This was an opportunity to do that in a community I lived in and loved for more than 20 years.”

A New Model of Jewish Philanthropy

Under Sara’s leadership, the Foundation is creating more accessible, collaborative, and intergenerational ways to give. She is particularly proud of programs that help families explore their philanthropic goals together. “We’re creating opportunities for younger generations to be part of the conversation,” she explains. “People can give together, learn together, and amplify their impact together.”

Today, the Foundation supports several collaborative giving funds focused on shared priorities like Jewish education, disability and inclusion, women’s empowerment, and Jewish talent and leadership. “When we give collectively, we can do so much more,” Sara explains. “It’s how we move from fragmented giving to systemic change.”

For newer or younger donors, she’s made sure there are inclusive ways to participate. “You don’t need $10,000 to get started,” she says. “Kol Yahad, our Next Gen collaborative fund, let’s people give at lower levels and still be part of something powerful.”

Guiding with Compassion After October 7

The events of October 7 reshaped both Sara’s outlook and the Foundation’s role. “Israel became the focus of so much of our work. In the past two years, more than five million dollars went out through donor-advised funds for rebuilding and relief.”

But this moment isn’t just about emergency response.

“After October 7, many people wanted to re-engage (or engage for the first time) in their Judaism,” she says. “I find myself listening more, helping people reconnect to their Jewish identity, and guiding them to make meaning through their giving.”

Sara has also prioritized deepening relationships with allies outside the Jewish community. “Our integration with the broader world, not isolation, is vital,” she says. “I’ve doubled down on those relationships. It’s hard work, but it matters.”

Looking Ahead, Building Together

Nearly three decades after moving to DC, Sara continues to find inspiration in the diversity and vibrancy of Jewish life here. “This is such an incredible community,” she says. “The culture, the learning, the opportunities to connect, and the chance to be part of something that’s making a difference locally, nationally, and globally.”

Through the Jewish Community Foundation, she and her team are helping donors bring greater intention and clarity to their giving. “It’s not about changing what inspires you. It’s about helping you achieve your goals in the most thoughtful, effective way.”

Whether she’s guiding families through legacy giving, launching new collaborative funds, or welcoming first-time donors, Sara is helping build a Jewish future rooted in connection and purpose. “We’re here to help people bring their values to life. That’s how we strengthen our community. That’s how we build the future together.”

Outside the Office

Sara loves being near water, whether she’s swimming laps or vacationing in a place like St. Lucia, Hawaii, or Fiji. A black Russian bagel with light cream cheese and cucumbers is her go-to Sunday morning. Sushi is her favorite. Her mom’s chicken soup, minus the matzo balls, is magic. When she’s back in DC, you might find her at Planet Word, one of her favorite museums for its celebration of culture and language. And when pressed to pick chocolate or vanilla? “Twist,” she laughs. “Always twist.”

Learn more about the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Washington and explore how your giving can make a lasting impact at jcfgw.org.

I am not exactly sure what got me started, but I’ve been working my way through a self-assigned reading list on antisemitism. I started with Anti-Judaism: The Western Tradition by David Nirenberg (a bit dense for extracurricular reading). Next up was People Love Dead Jews: Reports from a Haunted Present by Dara Horn (wonderfully written and thought provoking). And now I’m onto the newest publication, Antisemitism, an American Tradition by Pamela Nadell, a history professor at AU.

I am still wrapping my mind around the takeaways, but thus far I’ve been struck by a chapter from Horn’s work. She points out the story we all hear about Ellis Island registrars intentionally or inadvertently adjusting the names of Jewish immigrants as they made their way through a harried intake process is, in fact, a Jewish myth.

The truth, Horn explains, is that Jewish immigrants made deliberate choices to Americanize their own names soon after their arrival to avoid discrimination and improve their job prospects—an urgent consideration in turn-of-the-century America. Jewish immigrants needed to make a new life for themselves and their families, and they knew the better they were at publicly masking their Judaism, the easier it would be.

Thus began a delicate American Jewish tradition of maintaining our Jewish identities while doing what we could to fit in. Up until now, I thought this dance was a thing of the past. Obscuring names and associations and forgoing outward expressions of Jewish faith seemed to me like the stuff of history books. After all, I’ve grown up during an era of American Jewish flourishing. That we might be back here, putting a baseball cap over our kippahs or quietly removing Jewish indicators on our LinkedIn has caught me by surprise.

In 2023, Hillel found that 1 in 3 Jewish college students hid their identity after October 7. And last week, the Washington Post published results from a September poll that found in the past year, 42% of Jewish Americans avoided publicly wearing, carrying, or displaying anything that might help people identify them as Jewish. Discouragingly, younger Jews were more likely to say they avoided displaying Jewish symbols—53% of those under age 35—than older groups.

After my deep dive into antisemitism’s history, I have a much greater understanding of how deeply embedded antisemitism is in our societies, and therefore how hard it can be for a community to try and fit in and fight antisemitism simultaneously. Embracing and relishing our Jewish identity and being sober minded about the state of antisemitism in America, and indeed the world, all feel like nonnegotiables.

That’s why I’m resolved that we must not cede either goal. We can double down on our work to strengthen our Jewish identities even as we make real-world adjustments to account for our safety. Hate may force us to make compromises or short-term sacrifices, but it must not define who we are or diminish our commitment to Jewish life. We owe it to generations past and future to continue fighting antisemitism and the hatred that would see us limit our Jewish expression. The current growth in hate cannot continue. Confronting it must be a central priority for our Jewish community.

When you walk into Café Sunflower in Rockville, you’re likely to be greeted by the smell of freshly baked pastries, the hum of friendly conversation, and the easy, welcoming smile of Joe Battle, Café Manager and lifelong Washingtonian.

If you’re a regular, Joe and his team probably already know your name and your order. “We put a lot of time into learning everybody’s names,” Joe says, “and hopefully remembering what their orders are, too.” That personal connection is part of what makes the café feel less like a workplace and more like a neighborhood hub.

“I get to meet and learn from so many wonderful new customers,” Joe says. “But the best part of this job is working with our students.”

From Grocery Aisles to Inclusive Opportunity

Joe has been with Sunflower for a little over a year, but he is no stranger to the hospitality industry. Before joining Sunflower Bakery, Joe spent more than a decade managing grocery teams at Dawson’s Market in Rockville Town Square. When the market closed in 2023, a former colleague, then Café Manager Evelyn, called to offer him the job at Sunflower with perfect timing. “Two days after I found out I had no job, I got a job offer,” he laughed.

Evelyn knew Joe’s experience working with neurodiverse young adults would make him a natural fit at Café Sunflower, where inclusion is more than a value; it’s the mission. At Dawson’s, half of Joe’s grocery team was neurodiverse. “It was something I’d gotten used to over 12 years,” he explains. “Watching people go from not sure what they’re doing to being confident in what they’re doing, that’s what’s cool. Being part of that process is the most rewarding thing.”

Seeing Ability, Not Difference

Joe’s approach is refreshingly simple. “Everything you experience as a neurotypical person, they experience. Everything you care about, do, and like, they experience too. The only difference is that sometimes things need to be more direct, or you need to be more patient,” he says.

To Joe, working with neurodiverse colleagues isn’t about accommodation,; it’s about connection. He believes that investing in people of all abilities strengthens everyone. “Every kid is your kid,” Joe explains. “Eventually, they’ll be someone on the other side of the counter from you, someone helping you or needing your help. If you’re not invested in every kid in your community, you’re not even invested in yourself.”

A Partnership Built on Purpose

At Federation’s headquarters, Joe and his team serve hundreds of staff and visitors each week. He says the relationship between Sunflower Bakery and The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington is one rooted in shared respect.

“From Gil (Preuss) on down, everybody’s wonderful,” Joe says. “They understand our mission and walk in the door with it. People smile when they say ‘Federation,’ and we smile when we see our regulars. It’s a great partnership.”

Finding Common Ground and Shared Values

Raised Catholic in Washington, DC, Joe says his time at Café Sunflower has opened new windows into Jewish life and culture. “What resonates most is how much everything blends together,” he reflects. “They all come from the same beginning. We’re all walking the same road.”

He especially loves the symbolism of Rosh Hashanah. “For instance, the challah is round because you’ve come around to a new year. What a great way to symbolize that. I think that’s really cool,” he says.

Beyond the Café

When he’s not managing the café or working at Sunflower’s bake shop on Sundays, Joe’s passions include music, reading, and history documentaries. “I like learning why things happened, how things happened, and what else was going on at the same time,” he says. “It’s all about seeing how things interconnect.”

A lifelong Star Trek fan, Joe also finds wisdom in the show’s message of IDIC—“infinite diversity in infinite combinations.” “It reminds me that life is richer when we welcome differences,” he says. “You want people to be different, to learn from them, and for them to learn from you. It’s pretty cool, actually.”

And… If you ever catch him on the other side of the counter, he’ll likely order a Hazelnut latte with oat milk and a classic brownie.

Looking Ahead

As Café Sunflower continues to expand its programs, including its growing culinary department, Joe is excited to see what comes next. “We’re always looking to strengthen our relationships with our partners and our community,” he says. “Because the best way to get anywhere is to get there together.”

Learn more about Sunflower Bakery and Café Sunflower and how your support helps create pathways to employment for young adults with learning differences at www.shalomdc.org.

This past Sunday, living rooms across Greater Washington filled with laughter, stories, and something deeper: a sense of belonging. More than 50 women gathered in DC, Maryland, and Virginia for Women’s Philanthropy Community Gatherings that sparked real conversation, connection, and community.

Many came with their mothers, or talked about them. Stories of Federation through generations echoed across the rooms: memories of parents hosting events, shaping Jewish life, and quietly passing the baton.

Each gathering also featured one of our Community Shlichim, who bringing personal stories, powerful perspective, and a tangible reminder that our connection to Israel is rooted in people, not just headlines.

Each gathering felt different—different homes, conversations, energy—but all left women feeling the same thing: connected.

In Maryland, women came together for an afternoon that felt deeply grounded and generous. One participant shared a personal reflection on recent loss and how this community has held her. The conversation that followed was honest and warm. Another spoke about Jewish identity and teen engagement, sharing insight that felt timely and real.“Very relatable and poignant to the moment we’re in,” one attendee said. “I wouldn’t have changed a thing.”

In Virginia, the tone was joyful and full of small, meaningful moments, including one surprise reconnection between two women who hadn’t seen each other since Jewish day school in North Carolina back in 2005. The event felt like both a reunion and a doorway into something new.

And in DC, the gathering sparked conversations that felt alive with possibility. Women asked thoughtful questions, explored shared values, and reflected on how they want to show up—for themselves, for each other, and for Jewish life.

These weren’t just welcomes. They were starting points for friendship, for purpose, for whatever comes next.

Inspired to get involved? Explore how you can connect, lead, and grow with Women’s Philanthropy here.

In a year marked by rising antisemitism, contested narratives in classrooms, and growing pressures on civic spaces, the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington has been a steady force—speaking up, showing up, and strengthening the public voice of Jewish Greater Washington.

Across DC, Maryland, and Virginia, the JCRC represents more than 100 synagogues, agencies, and organizations. They advocate for a strong U.S.–Israel relationship, protect the safety and rights of Jewish institutions, challenge misinformation in schools, and build meaningful partnerships across faith and civic lines.

As Federation drives long-term investment in Jewish life across Greater Washington, the JCRC leads our community’s advocacy in the public sphere. Together, we’re advancing a shared commitment to safety, resilience, and the values that sustain Jewish life—through distinct roles, and with deeply aligned purpose.

On Wednesday, October 29 at 6:00 PM in Rockville, the JCRC will host its Annual Gala, honoring:

• Eva Davis (Distinguished Service Award)
• June and David Trone (Breslau–Goldman Award)
• Behn Dayanim (Sara and Samuel Lessans Community Leadership Award)

Co-chaired by Eilleen Filler‑Corn and Bambi Kramer, the evening will spotlight leaders who model what it means to act with courage, clarity, and commitment, especially in moments that demand all three.

This is a moment for all of us to show up for the people and partnerships strengthening Jewish life and a chance to recognize the leadership guiding us through challenge and change. We’re honored to stand with the JCRC in this work, and to celebrate the impact we’re making together toward a shared vision of Jewish Greater Washington that is strong, secure, and deeply connected.

This has been an emotional week. Earlier today, I watched a clip of Rachel Goldberg-Polin, mother of Hersh Goldberg-Polin who was kidnapped and executed by Hamas, address a crowd of hopeful Israelis ahead of the hostage release. She summed up the moment beautifully by referencing Ecclesiastes. “There is a time to sob and a time to dance, and we must do both right now.”

It’s true, a lot must happen in this moment. This is a good time to breathe a sigh of relief and indulge in the joy of welcoming home the living hostages. It’s also a good time to ready ourselves for the work ahead as we set about to end one phase and begin another.

I am trying to remain optimistic that we are seeing the faint lights of a brighter future for both Israelis and Palestinians emerge. Still, what happens next is an open question. As of today, many hostage families are still waiting on the return of their loved ones’ remains. Israelis are continuing to navigate layers of trauma. And Palestinians are facing the immense task of rebuilding their lives under the cruel returned control of Hamas. Healing, addressing antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment, and exploring new possibilities for the Middle East region are all on the table.

While we cannot control the future dynamics of the Middle East, Federation will be there for Israelis as they find their way back to a new normal. Later this month, Zohar Livne Mizrahi, Secretary General of Kibbutz Re’im—located beside the Nova music festival site—will visit our community. Federation is partnering with Kibbutz Re’im as its residents rebuild their homes and their lives after October 7.

For those interested in learning more, join us for a conversation with Zohar Livne Mizrahi on October 31, featuring stories of resilience and recovery, and an optional VR experience that brings survivor testimonies to life. You can learn more here.

We will keep you posted on additional ways to be involved in Israel’s recovery efforts. We also remain committed to helping Jewish community members form personal connections with Israel that transcend moments of crisis. Our friendship is about being there for each other in times of need and also about growing together in joy and possibility.

Finally, as we close out this roller coaster week, I want to acknowledge the work of the hostage families and their hardworking supporters, including those in our own community. Even in the throes of fear and grief, friends and family of the hostages pushed themselves to keep us all focused. Their tireless and courageous efforts helped bring the living hostages home. The hostage families are Jewish heroes. I am praying their tenacity becomes part of the Jewish inheritance and a precursor to more dancing.

Nearly two months into my role as a Shlicha (Israeli emissary) of The Jewish Agency for Israel at The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, I find myself asking the same question nearly every day: What is my mission here?

What does it truly mean to build a bridge between Israel and American Jewry?

Each day, I receive a different answer.

Creating “Talking Walls”

To mark two years since the October 7 massacre, I chose to curate an exhibition at the Federation offices showcasing powerful Israeli cartoons that reflect some of what we’ve experienced in Israel over the past two years.

Because sometimes, words just aren’t enough.

As I prepared the exhibition over the past two weeks, I kept hoping and praying that the final poster would be unnecessary. That it would be a waste of money.

Today, that wish came true.

The beautiful, foam-mounted poster—professionally printed and ready to hang—was covered this morning with a simple, printed A4 page:

“They’re coming home.” 

A Bridge Built of Art and Hope

This exhibition, Talking Walls: Israeli Caricatures Post October 7, brings together ten cartoons by Israeli artists—each capturing a moment, a feeling, or a truth from this complex time.

Originally shared on social media, these works move from virtual spaces into the physical world, offering an opportunity for our community to join the conversation. Together, they bridge two realms: the physical walls shattered on October 7, and the virtual walls built through online expression and solidarity.

Finding My Role

This is just the beginning. I’ll probably keep asking myself every day what my role here really is.

But I hope there will be more days like this—when the answer is clear, and for once, it comes with a big smile and a deep breath of fresh air.

This moment feels like an opportunity for all of us to pause, reflect on the last two years in Israel, and finally breathe a little easier as a bit of light begins to shine through.

It’s important for me, on this day, to remember all the people and heroes who made it possible to reach this moment. I honor and thank the soldiers and security forces who gave their lives, and everyone whose courage and determination helped make this day a reality.

We will not give up on any hostage and will continue to stand firm until every one of them returns home—to their families or to a dignified burial.

I hope this is the beginning of a greater change that will bring healing, recovery, and peace to Israel and the region.

Learn more about our community Shlichim and how they help build bridges between Israel and Greater Washington here.

This morning, Israel confirmed the release of all the remaining living hostages taken on October 7, 2023, as part of the ceasefire agreement. While we wait, with sorrow and hope, for the remains of the other hostages expected to be returned, we celebrate a moment we have prayed and hoped for: many who were taken so brutally by Hamas are finally home.

For families who have waited in fear and uncertainty for 737 days, this is a profound turning point. We exhale in relief, renew our commitment to the work ahead, and lean into hope for a Jewish future free from the darkness that has unfolded since that day in October.

We express deep gratitude for the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, whose tireless advocacy has inspired us all, and for the Nova Tribe, whose courage and creativity through the Nova Music Festival Exhibition this past summer helped our community remember and heal.

We welcome home those returning, and we stand with the families of the missing, still caught in agonizing limbo, and with the families waiting to receive the remains of their loved ones.

We can never fully comprehend what survivors and the families of those lost or held hostage have endured. The weight of their grief, fear, and trauma is beyond measure. Yet as a community, we share in the sacred work of carrying that burden together. May the memories of those we have lost be for a blessing.

This moment also brings immense sorrow as we mourn the loss of Roei Shalev, a survivor of the attack at the Nova Music Festival, who took his own life just days ago, two years after watching Hamas murder his girlfriend. His passing is a devastating reminder of the invisible wounds so many still carry—pain that is deep, relentless, and far from over.

In the tender days ahead, our purpose remains clear: to show up for one another, to support the families still waiting, and to remain steadfast in our commitment to Jewish life, the people of Israel, safety, and Jewish peoplehood here in Greater Washington and around the world. Today’s homecoming and the long work of recovery stand side by side.

Healing, both personal and collective, takes time, care, and each of us choosing compassion again and again. But there is nothing we can’t overcome when we show up for one another, hold each other close, and remind every person that they are not alone in their anguish or in their healing.

May this moment mark the beginning of a broader return—not only of the hostages, but of healing and renewal for us all.

With deep gratitude,

Robin Hettleman Weinberg
President, Jewish Federation of Greater Washington

Gil Preuss
CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Washington