Our Federation offices officially opened in our new location at 2000 Technology Drive on January 2nd. They are bright, open and are structured in a way to promote increased collaboration between and among our different departments. I know many of you will have the chance to see the facility when you next attend a meeting or Federation program.
Our old offices, were, well…old. Moving from the same physical location for the last sixty years to a brand new one and totally revamping the way our work gets done within the new space is not easy. Change is hard. But change is what we have to be about. Moving our Federation forward to be best positioned to take care of the Jewish communal needs of 2019 requires new and different thinking. I believe the same goes for all aspects of our Jewish community and can be seen through examples from our nine Beneficiary Agencies. I have been amazed at the creative ways all three of our Jewish Day Schools are incorporating cutting edge educational programs for our children. Our Jewish Association on Aging has developed new programs to best care for our seniors with memory challenges and is working towards a complete merger with Riverview Towers to bring together our two senior residential organizations in a streamlined way. Our JCC has developed its Center for Lovingkindness. Jewish Residential Services is completing their new Krause Commons Building at the bottom of Murray Avenue. Our Hillel Jewish University Center just received the Joseph Meyerhoff Award for Jewish Educational Vision from International Hillel for their creative ways to instill Jewish knowledge and commitment. Jewish Family and Community Services has shifted many resources towards the healing of our community in light of the October 27th attack.
Back at Federation and creating our own changes, we are looking to launch a new enhanced effort focused on the engagement of young adults and a new center to connect Pittsburgh region businesses with businesses in Israel.
These are all exciting new initiatives, programs, strategies and directions for Federation and its Beneficiary Agencies. As a donor providing core support through our Community Campaign, you help make all of this possible.
Shabbat Shalom.