The Jewish Federations of North America General Assembly (GA) takes place annually. It is an inspiring program with rich content and every year Pittsburgh sends a strong delegation. This year is unique. Without the ability to convene a large group in person, the entire program will be taking place online. With no airfare, hotel or even registration expenses (it is completely free), we want to encourage as many of our community members to participate in the GA on October 25 and 26. You can see the entire program and register at generalassembly.org. There are two major plenaries taking place in addition to many “smaller” subject specific sessions. The two plenaries are:

• Federation Together (Sunday, October 25 at 7:00-8:15pm ET) will include a creative roll call of all 146 Federations, in addition to music, inspiration, and a look back at how the Federation system has responded locally and globally to the pandemic. We will also feature remarks by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Alternate Prime Minister Benjamin Ganz, and opposition leader Yair Lapid, and we will be joined by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl for blessings and inspiration. Finally, we are excited to welcome Priya Parker and Robert Putnam in conversation, which will be followed by a Jewish communal response panel.

• Jewish Together (Monday, October 26 at 1:30-2:45pm ET) will include performances by the Maccabeats, Idan Raichel, Duvid Swirsky, and Neshama Carlbach. The plenary will also include remarks by President Rivlin, a conversation between Isaac “Bougie” Herzog and Idan Raichel, and a panel discussion about collaboration and adaptation in a post-Covid world. This plenary will highlight and celebrate the role of the Federation system as the convener of the broader Jewish organizational ecosystem.

It is important to consider and note that for our community, the GA overlaps with our communal commemoration efforts of the attack on our three congregations. Please be aware of the local offerings taking place at 1027healingpartnership.org. And know that you can pick and choose specific sections of the GA so as not to conflict with the meaningful local programming being offered.

I also want to call your attention to a piece I wrote in this week’s Jewish Chronicle. Now, is the time to be giving serious consideration for our future: jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com/a-time-for-change. I do welcome your comments.

Let’s Go Steelers! Wear your mask! And……Shabbat Shalom!