News & Updates

News and updates from Federation and our CEO, Gil Preuss.

Honoring Our History, Empowering Our Future

99854e920479b3dee03573eb

Remembering Pope Francis

Vatican  City - October 29, 2014: Pope Francis greets attendees at the weekly general audience on October 29, 2014 in Rome. Every week, thousands of pilgrims from around the world take this opportunity to meet the Pontifex.

In Remembrance, We Find Resolve

3fc56b23dfac2c8734b3d1ab
Photo Apr 08 2025, 9 42 21 AM

Rachel & Pete Federowicz  

Rache-and-Peter-Federowicz square

Sophie & Bradley Buslik  

Buslik_1232x1232px

Carol & Gary Berman

Carol-and-Gary-Berman

Alma Gildenhorn

Alma-Gildenhorn 1000x1000px

Staying Committed

Our hearts are broken

When Campers Grow-Up: A JDAIM Reflection

Holding together and moving forward

A week of mixed emotions

Finally, a glimmer of hope

After 15 long months

LA Needs Us

We’re off and running

So much stood out in 2024

A Friday Reflection: Unity in all its forms

What inspired me this week

We need you to keep thinking of us

Writing to you from Israel

Reverberating Lessons from Hostage Families

A Modern-Day Pogrom

Local Hillel directors share updates

Antisemitism and Jewish Joy on Campus

Resilience and Hope, Redemption and Grief

Our Love Will Rebuild

Hard to read – and essential to share

A phone call I got from Yoni

We Will Dance Again

A Time to Mourn and A Time to Act

A Day of Mourning

Elevating the Voices of Hostages, Belonging, and More

Security Training, Your Support in Israel, and More

Your Impact: Tools from the Waves

Spotlight on Sunrise Israel

Paving the Future We Seek

Summer Camp, Security, Leaders Making Moves + More

A Note from Summer Camp

Jewish Identity After October 7th

Finding Strength in Judaism

Community Leaders Go to Camp

“Horseshoe Theory” and Jews in Need. It’s Friday.

Campus Protests, Israel Aid Package, Yom HaShoah

On Yom Hazikaron

The Day I Started Wearing my Magen David

About Peoplehood and Resilience

Embracing the Spirit of Purim

Rabbi Ari Israel

Remembering Nesse Godin, z”l

Passover Story Time with Susan Kusel

Supporting Israeli Women

Our Ongoing Work in Ukraine

The Spirit of Purpose

Israel Crisis Update Survey

The Lasting Impressions of Jewish Summer Camp

Witnessing a Changed Israel

Balancing Optimism and Concern

Finding Resilience in Gratitude

PJ Library Shabbat of Love Family Grants

2023-Shabbat_of_Love-Web_banner_600 × 200

Solidarity Missions 2024

To Better Days Ahead, With Thanks

Continuing Our Vital Work

Building a Stronger Community Together

Solidarity Mission 2023 Payment

On Increasing the Light

Israel Mission Day 3-4 by Rabbi Marc Israel

Israel Mission Reflection by Rabbi David Spinrad

Our Continued Solidarity with Israel

Israel Mission Day 2 by Rabbi Adam Raskin

Israel Mission Day 1 by Rabbi Adam Raskin

Arriving in Israel with Rabbi Adam Raskin

Israel Mission Day 2 by Rabbi Marc Israel

Israel Mission Day 1 by Rabbi Marc Israel

With Gratitude

What Comes Next

Will you join me on Tuesday?

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

March for Israel Wristband Request

March-for-Israel-2023-webbanner-2000x500px

Reminders for a New Time in Jewish History

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Bearing Witness: Video Reflections on my Visit to Israel

Together in Mourning & Solidarity

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Standing with Israel

Stand with Israel EVENTBanner

Mobilizing for Israel

Israel-2023-WEBbanner-2000x500px

Investing in Teen Mental Health

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

On Fragility and Community

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

On Practicing Humility

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Remembering Rabbi Matthew H. Simon, z”l

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Building an Interdependent Community

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Hearty Head of Cauliflower

Hadad-Roasted-Cauliflower-e1455453926898-677x302

Building an Inclusive, Accessible Jewish Community

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Investing in Families with Young Children

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Jewish Holidays and Food

On Democracy & Our Collective Future

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

A Jewish Homeland for All Jews

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot
From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Announcing a New Fund for Women and Girls

FNDN-2023-newsletter-WEBbanner-2000x500px

Looking Forward Together

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

An Interview with Sue Ducat

Celebrating Our Communal Agencies

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Filling Our Communal Glass

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Our Dual Responsibilities in Israel

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Investing in Each Other

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Turning Hope into Action

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Rebirth and Renewal

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

A Community that Cares for Each Other

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Confronting & Combating Antisemitism

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

About Stephen Weiss

Our Voice in this Defining Moment

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

About Emily Tamkin

Remembering Judy Heumann, z”l

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

A Critical Moment for Engagement with Israel

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Bob Rodman

Donor-Appreciation-Week-2023-WEBPbanner-2000x500px

Alisa Brem Rosenberg

Donor-Appreciation-Week-2023-WEBPbanner-2000x500px

Rachel Shuster

Donor-Appreciation-Week-2023-WEBPbanner-2000x500px

Benjamin Rosenbaum

Donor-Appreciation-Week-2023-WEBPbanner-2000x500px

Continuing Our Work in and for Ukraine

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Supporting Earthquake Survivors in Turkey & Syria

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Reflections from Rabbi Evan J. Krame

Reflection from Aviva Walls, Gesher Jewish Day School

Reflections on a Powerful Journey

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

On Remembering & Our Greatest Strength

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Relationships and the Power of Working Together

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

On Celebration & Change: Marking Israel at 75

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Remembering Paul Berger, z”l

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Wishing You a Happy New Year

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

A Light in the Darkness

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Joint response to new antisemitic incidents

Antisemitic statements spray painted on the Walt Whitman High School sign.

Living Proudly Together

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Glowing Brightly Together

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Connecting with Purpose

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Start a Peer-to-Peer Fundraiser

On Gratitude for our Community

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

What We Do Now: A Message on Antisemitism

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Supporting Ongoing Needs in Ukraine

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Our Work in this Moment

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Engagement for a Collective Future

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Amplifying our Collective Impact

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

On the Season of Our Rejoicing

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Our Enduring Commitment

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Building a Vibrant & Secure Community

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Celebrating Those Who Make a Difference

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Confronting our History

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Change and Return

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Building an Unbreakable Hope

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Continuing our Support in Ukraine

On Resilience & Summer Camp

Moving Forward Together

Bob Rodman

Banner reads: Donor Appreciation Week - Recognizing our incredible supporters, this week and all year.

Steve Johnston

Banner reads: Donor Appreciation Week - Recognizing our incredible supporters, this week and all year.

A Night to Remember

Sara Evangelista

Banner reads: Donor Appreciation Week - Recognizing our incredible supporters, this week and all year.

Sue Ducat

Banner reads: Donor Appreciation Week - Recognizing our incredible supporters, this week and all year.

Nancy Duber

Banner reads: Donor Appreciation Week - Recognizing our incredible supporters, this week and all year.

Allan Mendelowitz

Banner reads: Donor Appreciation Week - Recognizing our incredible supporters, this week and all year.

Carol Gordon

Banner reads: Donor Appreciation Week - Recognizing our incredible supporters, this week and all year.

Celebrating our Communal Leaders

Moving Beyond Thoughts & Prayers

Listen to Me! by Rabbi Evan J. Krame

listening-1210x423
rana-younis-4-889-ae-66-fdf-931449-fed-68-a-1-abf-7-b-2-fa-5-jpeg-1-919x423

A Reflection from Rabbi Mitch Berkowitz

280667082_10223205380706141_1332791069325242001_n

I’m here, I’m home by Rabbi Evan J. Krame

D82AE728-6755-483A-963A-3E1ECEA172DB_1_201_a-1030x521

Creating a Community of Belonging

Embracing an Evolving Israel

On Memory and Building for the Future

Together Again

Standing with Israel as a Jewish Community

On the Global Jewish Refugee Crisis

Reflections from Ukraine’s Border

Our Impact in Ukraine

Preserving Vibrant Jewish Life in Ukraine

Supporting Ukrainian Jews

Supporting the Global Jewish Community

Expanding the Discourse on Israel & Zionism

Liz Weintraub, Leader in Disability Advocacy

Towards Inclusivity for All

Our Collective Security

Standing Strong & Secure

A Force for Good

Principles for the Future

A Video Message from Federation CEO Gil Preuss

Moving Forward Together

Introducing Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh

Strengthening Jewish Life in NOVA

In Awe of Awe

On Gratitude and Giving

Reducing Risk

The Resilient Community

Creating a Vibrant Jewish Community, Together

Helping Terror Victims in Israel’s South

102621_Jewish Agency Video Thumb with Play Button_200x200px

The Power of Listening

Honoring our Community Builders

Standing Together in Community

9/11 and the Importance of Memory

A Time of Transitions

Welcoming the Stranger

Present in the Garden

Living With Ambiguity

Thinking Locally and Acting Globally

Pandemic Lessons for a Post-pandemic World

Joy, Community, Identity, and S’mores

Obligated to See

Striding Forward

Jewish and Democratic

Sharing the Latest from on the Ground: A Message from Shari Merrill

Image of Israel with sun in sky and text overlaid reads: Rabbinic Mission to Israel

Rabbi Michael Safra of B’nai Israel

01a4e28150f4d8a2ca1c29b0618ada9c3508d7f2
Image of Israel with sun in sky and text overlaid reads: Rabbinic Mission to Israel

Speaking Truth to All

Responding to Needs in Israel in 2021

Photo of CEO Gil Preuss at Podium

A Vital Pursuit

Responding to the 2021 Crisis in Israel

An Opportunity to Make a Difference

Building Blocks of Community

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

The Continuous Pursuit of Justice

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Good Deeds Year

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Agents of Hope

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

On Building a Community of Belonging

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Reuniting with Israel

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Keep the Evolution Going

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

A Camp for All Children

Flourishing in Jewish Day School

Why We Remember

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Thank You for Stepping Up

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

On Pausing to Read

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

The Words I Will Remember

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

A New Extraordinary

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Paying Tribute to Our Lay Leaders

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Building Trust as a Community

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

A Reason to Give

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

A Thanksgiving Message from Our CEO, Gil Preuss

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Meeting Individual Needs: November 2020

Wisdom & Reflections: To Be Seen

Wisdom & Reflection Banner
Wisdom & Reflection Banner

Rhythms for a New Season

From our CEO, Gil Preuss on blue background with Gil's headshot

Innovation & Ingenuity

From our CEO, Gil Preuss.
Wisdom & Reflection Banner

A Special Lion+ Q&A with Jocelyn Krifcher

Jocelyn Krifcher

A Special Lion+ Q&A with Jess Sher

Photo of Jess Cher

Caring for our Community

From our CEO, Gil Preuss.

Weekly Reflection – July 31, 2020

From our CEO, Gil Preuss.

A Special Lion+ Q&A with Shelly Kupfer

Shelly Kupfer Headshot

Racial Justice Resources

I Support the Girls

A Message from Kerry: July 2020

A Message from Robin: July 2020

Strengthening our Culture of Collaboration

From our CEO, Gil Preuss.

Meet Local Hero Rabbi Shmuel Lichtenstein

Rabbi Shmuel Lichtenstein

Creating Communities of Belonging

From our CEO, Gil Preuss.

Meet Local Hero Jacob Ravick

Jacob Ravick Headshot

Reflecting on Values and Responsibilities

From our CEO, Gil Preuss.

Making Help Easy to Find

From our CEO, Gil Preuss.

Meet Local Hero Allison Brody

Allison Brody

Meet Local Hero Michal Friedman

Michal Friedman

Strengthening What Sustains Us

From our CEO, Gil Preuss.

Meet Local Hero Dr. Miriam Fischer Wachter

Dr. Miriam Wachter

Harnessing Our Social Ties for Good

From our CEO, Gil Preuss.

A Message from Robin: March 2020

Israeli election update: Third time’s the charm (hopefully)! 

Noa Voting

Looking Ahead to the Main Event

From our CEO, Gil Preuss.

Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter in Inclusion

From our CEO, Gil Preuss.

A Message from Robin: January 2020

Looking Ahead: Shining a Spotlight on Seniors

From our CEO, Gil Preuss.

The (Not) So Secret Recipe of the Startup Nation

Noa Bab Headshot_11.15.19 Reflection

The Miracle of Creative Survival

hand holding tree

Our Added Value

A message from our CEO

Safety and Security Awareness Update

Security Updates & Resources

Broadening Our Thanksgiving Horizon

Group of young friends having traditional dinner on Thanksgiving Day

Carrying the Torch of Jewish Community

Gil-Banner2019

Honoring the Past and Our Inspiring Future

A Q&A with Local Leader Drew Fidler

A Message from Robin: November 2019

A Message from Our Community Shlicha

A New Approach to Communal Progress

Gil-Banner2019

Community and Collective Memory

Gil-Banner2019

The Future is Ours to Create

A message from our CEO

Synagogues are Vital to the Jewish Future

A message from our CEO

Meet Noa Bab: Federation’s New Senior Shlicha

Noa Bab Headshot 600

Weekly Reflection – August 23, 2019

A message from our CEO

Abby’s Reflections from Israel

Abby's Birthright Reflection 2019

What We Can Do for Democracy

A message from our CEO

Stepping Up in a New Era

A message from our CEO

Unwrapping Shavuot’s Meaning

From Ideas to Effective Action

A message from our CEO

A Country and a Homeland

A message from our CEO

The Days of I and We

Group of people on peak mountain climbing helping team work , travel trekking success business concept

Ancient Wisdom for a Modern Plague

Purim, Memory, and Identity

Building the World Through Kindness

Closeup shot of two unrecognizable people holding hands in comfort

Marking the Occasion: A Message from Gil Preuss

A message from our CEO

Leading with Light

Thoughts on Chanukah

I Am Thankful for You: A Message from Gil Preuss

A message from our CEO

Recipe: Matbucha

Reboot Your Jewish Learning as An Adult

adult congregational learning

Recipe: Turkish Salad

Inside, Outside, All Year Round

Who We Want to Be: A Message from Gil Preuss

A message from our CEO

The Kite Strings of Hope and Peace

11148220_10154312395779466_3331631063220179840_n

Arab-Israeli-DC School Partnership

Group of students video-chatting with their Arab and Israeli peers.

Summer Re-JEW-venation

Ari & Des_4_FINAL_HIGH_RES_300ppi_CMYK

Israel@70: A Personal Reflection from Our CEO

A message from our CEO

Hope: Israel’s Greatest Export

In Israel, religious pluralism is like a pizza

chaya post

You Are Part of the Purim Miracle

Including Everyone in Israel, February and Beyond

Inclusive_Israel_945x350

The Honorable Menschen of President’s Day

Meet Tzachi Levy, Federation’s senior shaliach

Tzachi Thumbs Up

A Honeymoon Israel Reflection

A Tu Bishvat Reflection

IMG-20170810-WA0018

The Teachings of the Trees

About Lior Raz

So Nice We [Should] Do It Twice

New You

An Ethiopian Jew Makes Aliyah A Second Time

Pnina-Agenyahu

Whose Children Are We?

My Israeli Icons: Gaga, Sababa and Itsik

Itsik September Pic

Young Leadership Spotlight: Abby N.

pic of me 2

On the Ground in Houston

21317686_10159371608830523_2005143766602567582_n

Rabbi David Kalender

A message from the CEO

NFL is Dipping into Israeli Territory

shutterstock_140838724-768x432

Israel’s “Modern Family”

ima and abaz1

The Universal Language of Food

Shakshuka (2)1000

Young Leadership Spotlight: Joel C.

JoelCohenFacebook

Why and What to Read Aloud with Your Child

200 George Washington students unite to Imagine Israel

Weekly Wisdom: Command

Weekly Wisdom: Hayim Nahman Bialik

Weekly Wisdom: Miracle

Teens Talk Israel

Adi Golan was a part of the 1st IEF cohort and is now on Federation’s Teen Committee. She’s a senior at Rockville High School.

Popular DC Magazine features our debut Change Maker

Meet Sarah, an Israel Engagement Fellow

sarahiefinterview

Imagine Israel Podcast #1: LGBTQ families in Israel

nagan_ima_ve_abaz_01

Young Leadership Spotlight: Ally S.

A Personal Recount of Shimon Peres

_mg_2683

Remembering Shimon Peres

Israel Unknown

Young Leadership Spotlight: Jenny D.

IMG_1791

VIDEO: Welcome Shlichim!

Meet the Shlichim Video

Let’s Imagine, Together

IMG-20160719-WA0008

22.

IsraelFlags2

Reflections from Paris

“Not Jewish Enough?”

SRS-2-Sarah

Meet Marla & Dan – a Honeymoon Israel Couple

HMIVideo_ Between Ug Large

Meet Raisa L.

RaisaL_Amid_Chaos_In_Ukraine_highres
JSSA Video Play

Meet The Stevens Family

Elderly couple holding hands sick man lying in bed

Happy Passover

Meet Dana

RS1_7334

Federation Develops Leaders

DSC_0041_Crop

Young Leadership Spotlight: Mitch M.

YLSpotlight_Mitch

Meet Julia B.

Julia

Meet KC!

KC_PlayCenter

Meet Dana & Preston!

DanaandPreston_PlayCenter

Honeymoon Israel Reflection

Honeymoon Israel Blog

Meet Jamie!

During JDAIM, it’s personal

Steven A. Rakitt

Between Us: Let’s Talk About the holiness of time

Young Leadership Spotlight: Laura E.

Meet Rachel N.

Rachel N.

In celebration of trees

Between Us: Let’s talk about gratitude

Pamela R.

#SnapforInclusion

An Interview with Avital K.

Share Your Light

menorah

Let’s talk about life

Let’s talk about xenophobia

A Call to All: By Yishai Barth

12167410_10206284761812799_324988214_n

Let’s talk about Chanukah

Meet Yishai

12167410_10206284761812799_324988214_n

Young Leadership Spotlight: Matthew F.

Matthew F.

Let’s Talk About Passion

Young Leadership Spotlight: Nicole A.

Nicole A.

Let’s talk about Sulam

Let’s Talk about Sukkot

Let’s Talk About Changes

Young Leadership Spotlight: Alisa B.

Let’s Talk About Justice

Let’s Talk About Fragility

Matching Gifts

Let’s Talk About Iran

Let’s Talk About Bowling Alone

Let’s Talk About Risk-Taking

Let’s Talk About Asking for Help

Let’s Talk About our Inspiring Rabbis

Yom Yerushalayim: Jerusalem Day

Let’s Talk About Holiness

Changing the Way we Teach

Students learn there’s no one way to be pro-Israel

Let’s Talk About Community Building

Doing Good Volunteers

Let’s Talk About Humility

Let’s Talk About Jewish France

Young Leadership Spotlight: Adam R.

Let’s Talk About Inclusion

Girl with Special Needs

Letter to Mr. Roger Cukierman

Welcome Home, Alan Gross!

Young Leadership Spotlight: Mitch M.

Let’s Talk About Silence

Let’s talk about Inclusion