Last month, we stumbled onto something extraordinary: a set of original minutes from the very first meetings of the United Jewish Appeal in Washington. Hand-typed pages from 1948 and 1949 outlining early allocations, emergency support for Israel, and the names of families who stepped up to lead, many of whom are still shaping Jewish life in our region today.

A Time Capsule of Responsibility

Reading these documents feels like opening a time capsule. The issues were different, the world was different, but the heartbeat is the same: people coming together, pooling resources, and taking responsibility for one another.

Urgency, Action, and One Afternoon

One moment stands out. In April 1949, local leaders gathered at the Ambassador Hotel for what the minutes called a “special meeting.” The purpose?

“Obtain permission of the Executive Committee to borrow an additional half million dollars to advance the United Jewish Appeal… with regard to the deplorable condition of the new immigrants entering Israel.”

Half a million dollars, approved in one afternoon—a community stepping in without hesitation. You can almost feel the urgency in the room and the shared understanding that their choices mattered; that lives depended on them getting this right.

When Community Meant Everyone

Another set of minutes from late 1948 details the young community’s first major campaign: 16,163 contributors giving more than $2 million, an astonishing act of collective generosity. Their allocations spanned Israel, local agencies, national advocacy, and emerging Jewish institutions.

And even the follow-up work tells its own story. One line notes the need to “intensify collections” and clean up the outstanding gifts still considered “gettable.” It’s a reminder that closing gaps and meeting the moment has always been part of our work. It’s as true now, at year-end, as it was then.

They debated, they decided, and they built the foundation we’re still standing on today.

A Year-End Reminder of Who We Are

As we approach year-end, this history hits differently. It reminds us that our community has always risen to the moment—not because someone told us to, but because collective responsibility is who we are. We give, we show up, and we build together.

Every gift today continues a legacy of care, courage, and shared purpose.

And now, just as they stepped up then, we’re called to do the same. Two year-end matches are helping every gift go further to strengthen belonging, community life, and security across our region:

• Jewish Life & Belonging (including Northern Virginia): Every dollar is matched 1:1 up to $750,000, supporting community-building, engagement, and especially the fast-growing needs in Northern Virginia.
• Community Security: Every gift is matched at 50 cents on the dollar up to $1 million, helping protect our synagogues, schools, and gathering spaces with training, assessments, and critical security investments.
• Together, these two opportunities can unlock nearly $1.5 million in additional support for Jewish Greater Washington, amplifying our shared legacy of responsibility and care.

Make a gift today to support belonging, security, and our nearly 100 years of communal investment.