One of the things I have come to appreciate most about leading our Jewish Federation is the advocacy work we have been able to do on behalf of our community. In that role, we have had many major successes that have benefited not only our local Jewish community, but also Southern California, the state, and even nationwide. To name a few… we successfully pushed back an effort for a portion of Crescenta Valley Park to be renamed Hindenberg Park, got 29 of the 48 cities in our region to adopt resolutions condemning antisemitism and all forms of hate, lobbied and helped support the championing the passage (and signing into law) AB 715 (a landmark bill to address the rising instances of antisemitism in the state’s K-12^th grade educational system), and we led a BUYCOTT campaign of Israel’s products sold at Trader Joe’s that was supported nationwide.

And as one of 43 member organizations of Jewish California, the largest statewide coalition of Jewish organizations, I am proud that I often lobby on bills on behalf of our community, ensuring that the Jewish voices of the Jews who live in our area are heard.

I was reminded of these successes and our profound work as our board and staff came together last week for our annual retreat. It is often very hard to articulate the impact the work our Jewish Federation does on behalf of our community because there is not always an immediate impact… and yet, it never stops us from ensuring there is a strong, proud, and loud Jewish voice when issues or responses are needed.

I have been reflecting on all of this as we inch closer and closer to Rosh Hashanah and the start of 5787. This is the time of year when our tradition instructs us to look back and reflect on the year that has been and what we hope for in the year ahead.

As you may have noticed, Erev Rosh Hashanah falls on the 25^th anniversary of September 11, making this year’s start to our new year a bit different than others. Shortly after our country was attacked on that fateful day 25 years ago, we came together in solidarity and union. It was something I had never witnessed or experienced in my lifetime until then. And yet, over the years, we have forgotten about that time. As we head into our new year, I am hopeful we can come back together as a nation, drawn together by our shared desire to make our country (and the world) the best it can be. And that starts with each of us being the best version of ourselves that we can be.

On behalf of myself, our Jewish Federation’s Board of Governors and Staff, may 5787 be a year filled with only happiness, good health, and joy for you and your family.

L’shana Tova u’metuka (for a good and sweet new year)!