No images? Click here
September 15, 2021
Network News
Fall 2021
A Message From Our Leadership
Simone Knego I am delighted to introduce myself as the new chair of the Network Advisory Committee. I’m honored to accept the position from Leslie Dannin Rosenthal, and I know that I have big shoes to fill. |
Ruth Raskas As the world around us continues to change, we at JFNA have also been working to advance the ways in which we engage with and support communities across North America. |
LiveSecure: A JFNA Initiative to Help You Keep Your Jewish Community Safe
Security has always been a core concern of Jewish communities. As JFNA President and CEO Eric Fingerhut said when he testified before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs in August, “The ability and confidence of community members to participate fully in Jewish religious and cultural life depends on feeling safe – safe to attend synagogue, safe to drop our children off at preschool or day camp, safe to walk down the street wearing visibly Jewish head coverings and clothing, safe to gather in groups to celebrate, to mourn, to support Israel, and to be active in the life of our communities, our campuses, and our civic associations.”
Jewish Agency Shlichim Return to U.S. Summer Camps For kids from Network communities across the country, and especially in the southeast, summer means Camp Judea (CJ), an overnight camp in Asheville, NC, that’s affiliated with the Young Judea movement. One of the things that make CJ special is the mishlachat—the large group of Israeli shlichim who fill many different roles in camp. They are bunk counselors, lifeguards, and specialists who work in art woodworking, the stables, and other areas of camp. “They create an immersive Israel experience, which is one of things we love about camp,” said Tamar Sternfeld, a CJ parent who also worked as one of the camp nurses this past summer. |
JDC Helps Teens Find Community at AJT FreeDom
|
A Pledge to Ensure a Vibrant Jewish Future
Imagine what could happen if a million people committed to securing the Jewish future. That was the idea that motivated Jewish communal leaders Mike Leven and Amy Holtz to establish the Jewish Future Pledge. They launched a worldwide movement that’s inspiring Jews of all backgrounds to commit to earmarking at least half of the charitable gifts they leave at their passing to support the Jewish people and/or the State of Israel.
JFNA Network Leave a Jewish Legacy Honor Roll
On October 3, from 2-3:15 PM (ET), we will gather to explore some of the most important areas of Jewish life that are on our communal agenda. Don’t miss this momentous event. The event is free and open to all. Join us!
We are reminded in the liturgy of the High Holiday season of the fragility of life. In challenging times, we are taught that the way to cope with such ultimate vulnerability is through repentance, prayer, kindness and tzedakah. Jewish Federations’ ability to care and tend to those in need, at a moment’s notice, is through your gift to the JFNA Annual Campaign. When we give, as we read in Psalm 27, we will see “God’s goodness in the land of the living.”
Shanah Tovah!
May you and yours be inscribed and sealed for a good year.
Simone Knego
Chair, Network of Independent Communities
Network News is a publication of The Jewish Federations of North America. It helps to inform Network Jewish communities and their leadership on the issues, opportunities and available resources to help strengthen and sustain Jewish life and Jewish peoplehood.
For general inquiries about the Network, email network@JewishFederations.org or call (212) 284-6595
