This past week I had the privilege of joining an informal group of Jewish foundation and Federation leaders to discuss issues facing Jewish life. This year especially, I appreciated the intentional time, set aside from my usual schedule, to dive into some deep discussions. The seventy-degree weather didn’t hurt either.

The tenor of our time together included a clear focus on the future. Everyone agreed that fighting antisemitism remains an urgent and essential priority for which we need to have a more integrated and effective strategy. At the same time, people were most eager to talk about the things we could build together. How to strengthen Jewish engagement, communal trust, bridges to other communities, our vision for a vibrant, pluralistic Jewish future, and so on.

Coursing through the week was the idea that now is a time to go all in. We are living in a moment that calls on us to grapple with the most critical issues facing the Jewish community. This is not a time for avoidance or incrementalism. We should not—and must not—shy away from what needs to be done.

And we can do it! Because the other consistent takeaway was that we collectively have the capacity to meet this moment so long as we work together. No single individual, organization, or foundation can achieve their goals independently but combined, we have everything we need to realize our shared ambitions. The scale and complexity of both the challenges and the opportunities we face demand collaboration, humility, and shared responsibility.

In the end, I left for the airport feeling hopeful. There are extraordinary people across the country doing extraordinary work on behalf of the Jewish people, thoughtfully, courageously, and with deep care for our community. I want to hold onto this thought for 2026 and, like the California sun, soak up all its benefits.