For my final message of 2025, I want to share two reflections that sit at opposite emotional poles.

The first is heartbreakingly tragic. Less than two weeks ago, fifteen innocent lives were taken in an attack at Bondi Beach in Australia by followers of the Islamic State (ISIS). May the memories of those whose lives were taken so abruptly be forever for a blessing. May their families find comfort in the memories of their loved ones and may all those still recovering experience a refuah shleimah.

In the wake of this attack, the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Board of Governors held a call that included leadership from the Australian Jewish community. Australian Jewry is strong, resilient and among the most Zionistic Jewish communities in the Diaspora. It is expected that Israeli President Isaac Herzog will soon travel to Australia at the invitation of the country and spend time with the Jewish community there.

Our Federation system has already mobilized to help—sending the Jewish Agency’s JREADY team, providing trauma relief support from Israel and assisting in many other ways. This is the power and reach of being part of a global Federation system.

I should also share that Pittsburgh was mentioned on the call. In the immediate aftermath of the attack, I reached out to Jewish communal leadership in Australia to offer support, informed by our own painful experience with a deadly antisemitic attack. We have since been connected with leaders from several Jewish organizations there. Importantly, our outreach was an invitation, not a directive. We know that in moments like these, it is essential to honor that this is their trauma and their story and that we are here only if and when they want support. We are exploring meaningful ways to send “Pittsburgh love” to the Australian Jewish community, rooted in our shared experience and understanding.

Closer to home, our Jewish Federation Security Team proactively communicated with all local Jewish organizations following the Bondi Beach attack. This is our local web of security, with Federation at its center.

Now for a complete 180-degree turn—to something truly happy and exciting.

Last week, our longtime and exceptionally talented Investment Committee Chair Geoff Gerber and I traveled to New York City to participate in the ringing of the Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange. More than a decade ago, our Foundation made a strategic decision to invest in JLENS, an approach designed to replicate the S&P 500 while excluding companies deemed antithetical to Jewish values. The goal was not only strong financial performance, but also the opportunity to leverage pooled assets to influence corporate behavior from within boardrooms.

That vision has been realized. The fund’s returns have tracked closely with the S&P 500 and JLENS has now evolved into TOV ETF—a publicly traded fund with approximately $190 million under management and growing. Our invitation to ring the bell at the NYSE marked this milestone. The strategy is working, and it gives our Federation the ability to grow assets while using our influence for good.

Speaking of our Foundation, I am proud to share that we have surpassed $410 million in assets under management. To all the individuals and organizations who have entrusted their philanthropic assets to us—thank you. And as a reminder, there is still a bit of time before year’s end to take advantage of 2025 tax deductions.

Shabbat Shalom and Happy New Year.