Yesterday, our Federation signed onto a Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) letter to the Secretary General of the United Nations in response to the unfair report released by Amnesty International regarding Israel. The Human Rights Council focuses 20% of its resolutions against Israel and maintains Israel as a permanent agenda item. We believe strongly that any nation, including our own, is open to criticism, but singling out Israel among all the nations is completely biased. According to the IHRA working definition of antisemitism, “Applying double standards by requiring of [Israel] a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation” is a form of antisemitism. You can read about the letter and report in the Jewish Chronicle.

During the past week while this Amnesty International report was published, the Federation announced our generous Israel scholarship program for teens to travel to Israel, our Momentum trip for younger moms and the MEGA MISSION orientation date. While others may work to delegitimize the only Jewish country, we are leaning into our relationship.

In just a few weeks, I will travel to Israel to participate in the Jewish Agency for Israel Board of Governors meetings. The meeting agendas will include the planned immigration of 3,000 Ethiopians to Israel, care for Jews in Ukraine as they can potentially become victims of world events and about building Jewish identity in communities around the world. While I look forward to delving into these topics and helping to develop strong responses, I always look forward to being in Israel and standing with Israel. If you have not yet registered for our MEGA MISSION, sign up today. Being there is the absolute best way to show your own personal support and care.

Shabbat Shalom.