Growing up, like most kids, I was on soccer teams in the fall, baseball teams in the spring, and swim teams during the summer months. I loved playing and being part of a team. As I have gotten older, I have often reflected on the impact those experiences had on me becoming who I am today, and the experiences I enjoy. It has been quite a while since I was part of an organized sports team, I still enjoy being part of a team. Although I no longer wear a team uniform, I am still part of a few powerful teams today. 

 

I bring up the concept of being part of a team because it is how I see the work I do today. You see, one of the great things about being on a team is working together toward a common goal. Whether it is striving to make the playoffs, or accomplishing something even greater, in many instances these experiences would not be possible without the support and work of others on the team.

 

The Jewish Federation works together with our teammates… our community partners… the Jewish organizations in our community…to ensure that there is a strong, vibrant, and thriving Jewish community for all of us to be a part of. While we at the Jewish Federation focus outwardly on the entire community (macro-level), our synagogues and schools focus inwardly on their members (micro-level). 

 

I bring this up to illustrate how the Jewish Federation complements what our local synagogues and schools do. It is a wonderful partnership that provides incredible opportunities. Since the Jewish Federation is focused on the entire Jewish community – both locally, nationally, and internationally – we often bring our Jewish professionals and organizational leadership together to collaborate and share ideas. 

 

And we take our role as “community convener” seriously because we understand the value of not only collaboration but also of being an active and engaged team member. It was why when we were developing our 2021 Community Survey earlier this year, we made sure we asked questions that could elicit beneficial information that we could share with our community partners.

 

This is just another way that the Jewish Federation works to build community by strengthening and enhancing Jewish life right here in the greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys.