We had a magical Annual meeting this year. Just as we do every year, we honored over 35 volunteers from organizations and synagogues. These individual dedicate their time and talent to strengthen those institutions and to help further their missions. In the end, each helps us reach more Jews and serve their needs.

In addition to the presentation of the Spector and Rudolph Awards (for our top volunteer and communal professional), we honored three long time executives from three Federation Beneficiary Agencies:  Rachel Marcus (JCC), Aryeh Sherman (JFCS) and Debbie Friedman (JRS). Each has made a tangible and positive impact on our community, an impact we will feel for decades to come. I invite you to watch the video here that we produced and presented at the Annual Meeting. Thank you Rachel, Aryeh and Debbie.

Honoring this triumvirate was followed a few days later with the launch of this year’s Wechsler Young Leadership Institute. Approximately 20 young adults are beginning their journey towards gaining a deeper understanding about what makes our community “tick”. I barely knew a single person in this year’s cohort and that makes me really happy. A new generation of future leaders of our Federation and other organizations are on their way! With our Annual Meeting, we signal the beginning of a new Campaign year. The 2017 Campaign is now underway. Your support allows us to take care of some of the most critical needs in our local Jewish community, and Jewish communities around the world and in Israel. The 2016 Campaign achieved an all-time high of $13,650,000. With your help, we can assure this accomplishment stands for only one year!

Shabbat Shalom.