Hello Friends,

I know that for many Jewish families, this is a wonde, we should try to do good and be good all year long. But Yom Kippur gives us a special opportunity to really take a look at ourselves.

For me, that means reaching out to people I feel I may have let down over the past year and asking for forgiveness. Sometimes, people are willing to forgive when they know you are sincere, while others may need to see a change before they believe you. Others may simply not be ready to forgive. You may also apologize for something you thought was important, only to find out that the other person remembers it differently or doesn’t feel an apology is necessary.

I think that is part of what makes this process so human.

When I look back at thiserful—and sometimes hectic—time of year, with the major holidays happening so close together. We’ve just celebrated Rosh Hashanah, and I wish you all a happy, healthy, prosperous year.

We are now in the Ten Days of Repentance leading up to Yom Kippur. For me, this is a very meaningful time. It is an opportunity to slow down, look inward, and build on that self reflection.

Our lives move so quickly - between work, family, responsibilities, and everything happening around us, we don’t always take the time to stop and reflect - perhaps to think about the people we may have lost touch with, the things we wish we had handled differently, and the ways we can be better moving forward.

Of cours tumultuous past year, there are things I wish I had done differently. I wish I had checked in on more people I care about just to ask, “Are you okay? What can I do to help you today?”

A number of my friends passed away this year, and I regret not reaching out to tell them how much they meant to me while I had the chance. I also wish I had used my voice more—not only to speak up for the Jewish community, but for friends and neighbors in other communities who are scared or struggling and need to know they are not alone.

I think about this when I look at my own involvement with the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Rockland County. I wish I had been able to donate more. I believe in the work we do and the difference we can make right here in Rockland County—helping people who are in need, supporting Jewish security, and speaking out against antisemitism and antizionism.

As we enter this new year, we must all find ways to be present for one another. Check in on someone you haven’t spoken to in a while. Make the phone call. Send the text. You never really know what challenges someone else may be going through. For someone in crisis, knowing that someone cares can mean a lot. It can be lifesaving.

As I am doing my best to, find ways to support the people and causes you believe in. Use your voice when you feel something needs to be supported or challenged. At the same time, there is a difference between speaking out in support and simply shouting in anger. To strengthen our community, whenever possible our actions should be constructive, and bring people together.

If we are fortunate enough to have the ability, let’s be generous with our time, knowledge, skills, and money. Volunteer. Share what you know with someone who could use your help. And, if you can, support organizations doing work you believe in, including the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Rockland County.

For those who are fasting on Yom Kippur, I hope your fast is meaningful.

I have been proud of all that the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Rockland County has done through our vital grants, both large and small, our emergency campaigns, our programs and security initiatives, our advocacy, and outreach. There is always more we can do, and I want to hear from you about how we can continue to improve.

If you have an idea, a concern, or simply a suggestion for something you think Federation could be doing, please reach out to me, our CEO, or anyone at Federation. We want to hear from you. The only way we can truly understand what our community needs is by listening to the people who make up that community. You can reach us through our website at jewishrockland.org.

We are very fortunate to have a great CEO, a caring Board, and amazing volunteers who give so much of their time to Rockland County. I am grateful to be part of this community and to have the opportunity to serve as President.

As we begin this new year, I hope we can continue to work together, support one another, and make our community stronger. With your help and generous support, we can continue the important work of the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Rockland County and make Rockland County a better place for all of us.

G’mar Chatimah Tovah.