Glowing Brightly Together

Glowing Brightly Together

As Federation partner Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School of the Nation’s Capital recently wrote on Facebook, “our lights glow brightest together.”

This year, our Jewish community in Greater Washington truly exemplified that message, living out our Jewish values to move our community forward and make a significant impact locally and around the world. Our bright, vibrant Jewish community is only possible because of the care and thought you put into building it and caring for one another. In the last year alone, your support of Federation’s Annual Campaign and throughout emergent situations ensured that, collectively, we strengthened and sustained our Jewish community. Together, we:

Kept our community secure and cared for: 

  • In 2021, with Secure Community Network, JCRC, and other partners, Federation delivered over $1M in security services across our Jewish community – especially vital with antisemitism on the rise. This support included facility assessments and security consultations for organizations and synagogues, trainings for 4,000+ attendees, and assistance to 58 agencies applying for federal nonprofit security grants.
  • Since its launch in 2020, we have connected 1,249 callers in need with vital resources through 703-J-CARING: the Jewish Community Support Line in partnership between JSSA, Federation, and our network of human service agencies.

Made a global impact:

  • Our investment of $800,000 is strengthening our ties to Israel through immersive experiences, by supporting initiatives to build civil society and democratic institutions to strengthen Israeli society.
  • We responded immediately to the war in Ukraine, providing $2.5M in emergency funding to support the country’s 200,000+ Jews with medical equipment, clothing, food, shelter, and transportation out of dangerous regions.
  • Since 2021, we have helped bring 3,000 Ethiopian Jewish immigrants to Israel, reconnecting many with family members they may not have seen in years.

Supported families across Greater Washington: 

  • By sending nearly 100,000 books to 6,460 families through PJ Library in Greater Washington, we are helping parents elevate Jewish values for their children through stories and experiences.
  • This summer, 688 children received support to attend Jewish summer camp, many for the first time, through financial aid and One Happy Camper scholarships.
  • When a fire destroyed the Camp Airy dining hall, we provided vital aid to ensure campers were safe, fed, and able to continue their summer as planned.

Deepened Jewish learning & journeys:

  • In June, Federation celebrated and honored an incredible group of 18 local leaders under 40 – the inaugural Capital Chai honorees – who are shaping and reshaping our community.
  • For the second year in a row, we convened local rabbinic leaders from across denominations joined Federation for a mission to Israel to learn and connect with the diverse leaders shaping Israeli society today.
  • Our interfaith collaboration, led through our Jewish Community Foundation, raised over $700,000 to resettle 4,500 Afghan people displaced as a result of the Taliban’s resurgence in Afghanistan.
  • Through our ongoing partnership with the Shalom Hartman Institute, we connected thought leaders in deep, engaging, and sometimes challenging conversations on Jewish life, belonging, and inclusion in Greater Washington and beyond.

…and so much more.

As you can see, our community truly stepped up in 2022, as always, to further Jewish life locally, in Israel, and around the world. I hope these collective accomplishments make you as proud as I am to be a part of Jewish Greater Washington.

Of course, while what we’ve done together represents the power of our community, these achievements also underscore the current and ongoing needs Federation is addressing. There is no completion date for this essential work. That’s why we need your ongoing support.

To those who have already made your gift to Federation’s Annual Campaign, I thank you on behalf of a grateful Jewish community. For those still finalizing your end-of-year giving plans, I invite you to donate what you are able before midnight on December 31st at shalomdc.org/donate, or by calling 301-230-7239.

Thank you for joining us to strengthen and brighten our community, today and for the future.

Shabbat Shalom,

Gil

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