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Dear Nicole,
Good morning.
RE: Monday, April 15th
We went to press with the May issue of Jewish Living Delaware - our Health & Wellness/Israel features. We thank JLD Co-Chairs, Michael Sigman and Susan Towers for their leadership as well as Editor, Emma Driban, for ensuring a professional publication that unities and ignites our community under a Jewish lens.
Federation's Spring Soiree with Lizzy Savetsky Chairs met to review ticket sales, sponsorships, and logistics leading up to our event on May 2nd at the Greenville Country Club. Click here to purchase the limited tickets or remaining sponsorships still available.
This event will be SOLD OUT next week - register today!
RE: Tuesday, April 16th
ADL has released its annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents in the United States and we’ve never seen numbers like this — a total of 8,873 incidents of assault, harassment and vandalism across the country. The total represents a 140-percent increase from 2022 — already a record-setting year — and the highest level recorded since ADL started tracking this dat
This includes a massive spike of 5,204 antisemitic acts post-Oct. 7, reflecting global trends as Jewish communities worldwide face heightened tensions and hatred in response to the massacre and conflict — on campuses, in the public square and at anti-Israel demonstrations. In the wake of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s attack on Israel, ADL is vigilantly monitoring for ripples spreading from the Middle East to the U.S. and around the globe.
All of that hate in 2023 added up to an average of about 24 anti-Jewish incidents in the U.S. per day. This means that on average, someone was harassed every hour. Or a synagogue was vandalized. Or someone faced physical violence fueled by anti-Jewish hate.
Click here to access the full report.
RE: Wednesday, April 17th
The Jewish Agency for Israel hosted a webinar and discussion on what made Iran decide to launch this past weekend’s attack on Israel. We reviewed how Israel managed to successfully fend it off with support from allies, how Israel will respond, and how this development may affect the ongoing war in Gaza. Click here to watch a recording of the webinar.
Federation's Board of Directors met in the evening under the leadership of Board Chair, Caryl Marcus-Stape. Meeting monthly provides hands-on guidance and counsel on Federation activities, ensures transparency, and fiscal responsibility.
RE: Thursday, April 18th
In the afternoon I zoomed with our JFed Security partners including security and Federation staff from New Jersey and Delaware. We meet monthly for improved communication, updated information, security training coordination and collaboration.
Last night our Allocations Committee met to receive remaining beneficiary agency presentations. We will present recommendations to the Board for approval on May 22nd. We thank Mitch Steinberg and Jordon Rosen for co-chairing this important initiative and for their inspired leadership.
RE: Friday, April 19th
Tonight is our Young Adult Division (YAD) Royal Seder. We thank Co-Chairs Paige Alderson-Smith and Pamela Meissler for their leadership and support. Please contact Emma Driban for information.
Passover Thoughts...
I would like to share the words of colleague, Gali Cooks from Leading Edge (JFNA Partner):
The Hebrew calendar is an ellipse that revolves around the Fall Holidays and then the journey from Passover to Shavuot in Spring. As we approach the springtime axis of the Jewish year, we are still reeling from the new world that exploded into our lives at the last axis of the calendar on a nightmarish festival day in Fall. In many ways, that terrible event continues; I write these words only a few days after the intense escalation of Iran’s aerial attack on Israel.
There is a sense that this time we’re living through isn’t like most other times we can remember. Indeed, this is a time of extreme fluidity, rapid change, and contingency — a time of both peril and possibility.
Now, when so many disagreements and pressures are trying to drive the Jewish community apart, is the time for radical empathy, humility, openness, and willingness to remain together across differences to ensure this critical juncture enables us to go from strength to strength. I am mindful of Rabbi Ethan Tucker’s wise teaching that balancing pluralism, integrity, and community is enormously difficult, and cannot be done without painful trade-offs. But this is the work. Our creativity and participatory leadership must take us toward this vision.
May this Passover bring us all rest and reflection, courage and creativity, unity and humility.
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