What do you do when your good friend does something that really and justifiably irks, even hurts you, but on a day-in-day-out basis, is as reliable and amazing as she can be? What if that generous, amazing nature is why you became friends in the first place? Will her getting it wrong on one thing ruin your friendship? Or will it give you an opportunity to trust her with your feelings, offer constructive feedback with the goal of seeing your friend succeed, thereby strengthening the relationship because she, in turn, trusts your judgment and your genuine interest in ensuring her success?
Earlier this week, I attended the General Assembly (GA) of the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) in Washington DC. The GA was an incredibly important opportunity to meet with funders, agencies seeking help, and partners from Israel. It’s a space to meet and plan with colleagues from other federations and hear from some of the most constructive and inspiring speakers in the Jewish world. It is the way we share best practices, build alliances and celebrate achievements. All of this vital work is facilitated by JFNA. This year, the GA was preceded by a rally at Nationals stadium, which most GA attendees participated in before the Assembly began.
It has been observed and remarked by some in the media that this rally was not well attended and thus not a success. Indeed, there were some 5-6000 participants in a space capable of holding many, many more. The program itself was lively, meaningful, and inspiring, according to several other participants I spoke with. It was also evident that those who came from Israel to speak, including families of hostages and serving IDF officers, could see the small size of the crowd in that space. I am sure that there will be, and should be, a significant assessment of how such an event could have been more successful. I’m looking for what can be learned from this experience as well.
Yet as I sat at the rally, and as I reflected over the following two days at the Assembly, I chose to look at the entire scope of what has been accomplished in our American Jewish communities over these past 13 months. Here are a few examples.
Through the leadership, preparedness, dedication and professionalism of JFNA, over $850,000,000 has been raised among our 146 Federations to help and support our sisters and brothers in Israel (and Rockland did its part in this achievement). You read it right. Eight hundred and fifty million dollars. Millions of Israelis have benefitted from this assistance.
Leading an unfailing, unflinching, and determined advocacy effort (which I and several of our community members participated in a number of times), JFNA and its partners met with Congressional Representatives, Senators, staffers, appointed administration officials, party leadership on both sides, even up to the President and Vice President. As a result, and after months of intense advocacy efforts, the administration and congress authorized and set into motion $17 billion in emergency supplementary military and other aid to Israel.
In another concerted effort at federal, state, and local levels, JFNA and its partners helped to bring about an increase in the Non Profit Security Grant program to a record $500 million in 2024. Many of our local Rockland Jewish institutions are recipients of these NPS grants.
These are only three of the many incredible achievements I choose to applaud and celebrate. And even with so much to be proud of, I recognize that sometimes opportunities can be missed and people can be disappointed. I always look for ways to do better. I know without doubt that our partners do as well.
Shabbat Shalom!