How Was Your Summer?

By Jacob Solomon on 09/01/2011 @ 10:56 AM

“How was your summer?” We hear the question from friends and colleagues after vacation travels and summer schedules begin gradually to give way to the more structured time that comes with autumn. But there is that place in time, between the waning days of summer and the High Holidays, when we all seem to stop and take stock . . . on where we’ve been and – more seriously – on where we’re going.

For us as a community and as a people, there’s a lot of data to plug into the equation: continued attacks on Israel, both actual terror and in the realm of public opinion; an unsettling and harshly divisive political climate domestically; and a worrisome economic environment . . . just to name a few.

Indeed, as a people and as individuals, this is the time of year when we’re called upon to conduct an internal audit – cheshbon ha-nefesh, an “accounting of the soul” – when we’re asked to use a steady eye to look at where we are and how we are fairing against our own goals and against the standards set by our parents and our tradition. Are we – collectively and individually – living as a Kingdom of Priests and a Holy Nation?

For us at Federation, we approach this time of year with a combination of great excitement and enthusiasm, on the one hand, and deep humility and gratitude, on the other. Our volunteer leadership has been intensely engaged with their professional partners over the summer planning for the coming year: recruiting scores of volunteers to assume positions of importance in governance and financial resource development for our community; recruiting heavily for Miami Mega Mission 2012 (we’re already over 630 strong . . . are you coming with us??); and developing plans for each and every arena of communal activity, from Israel advocacy to fundraising events to investment strategies for The Foundation.

And yet, even as we look forward with excitement and anticipation to the new year, filled with a sense of accomplishment for our past achievements, we also recognize how much more there is to do and how much we depend upon the good will, the generosity and the innate impulse of the Jewish people to continue to give, to heal and to do “tikkun olam.” There is never a single day in which I don’t give thanks to G-d for making me part of a people who cares so deeply and who acts so generously to make things better, to “perfect” our broken world. What a blessing it is to be part of that noble enterprise!

As we go forward through the holidays and through the year, I plan to share thoughts and observations with you about how we’re doing as a Jewish community and where we’re heading. Please let me (and the rest of the blogosphere) know how you feel and what issues are of greatest concern to you. Our new website was designed to maximize opportunities for interaction and on-line engagement. Please be a part of the conversation!

In closing, let me wish you and all of those who are dear to you a New Year filled with good health, purpose and peace. May we all be blessed with a Shanah Tovah u’Metukah, a happy and sweet New Year.

Convening and Connecting

By Jacob Solomon on 01/17/2011 @ 05:56 PM

When many people think about their local Jewish Federation, the first thing that comes to mind is fundraising (and a seemingly endless supply of UJA fundraiser jokes!). And it’s true: arguably more people participate in the annual Federation/UJA Appeal than almost any other single Jewish behavior. For the year that just ended, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation raised over $21.6 million in its Annual Campaign from over 10,000 donors, and that does not include millions of dollars that are raised through Supplemental Gifts or by The Foundation, Federation’s endowment arm. I am constantly inspired by the generosity and sense of responsibility exhibited by our people.

And yet, without in any way diminishing the life-saving services that are made possible as a result of these fundraising efforts, of equal importance is the role that Federation plays in building our local community. What does that mean?

On the day before Christmas, while our non-Jewish neighbors were preparing for their holiday, the Jewish Volunteer Center brought together 500 members of our community to engage in a variety of volunteer activities, providing assistance to thousands of people; demonstrating our commitment to tikkun olam; and connecting people of all ages and denominations to our community in a meaningful way. We know that these kinds of experiences can be an important gateway for further engagement in Jewish community life.

Furthermore, on January 16, Federation and its public affairs division, the Jewish Community Relations Council, led a broad and inclusive coalition of Jewish organizations and synagogues in sponsoring a Summit to Combat the Campaign to Delegitimize Israel. An amazing line-up of speakers energized over 1,200 people in attendance and gave them the tools to play an active role in counteracting the pernicious wave of misinformation and distortions designed to undermine the right of Israel to exist as a sovereign Jewish and democratic state. Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren, famed refusenik Natan Sharansky, members of Congress, religious leaders and scholars reminded us of the vital role that we play in counteracting the cynical and dangerous campaign of calumny against the State of Israel.

Each time the community comes together like this, the energy that is created makes an impact in two directions: it makes a statement about our values, our traditions and our sense of responsibility, and it also deepens the connection of each participant to one another and to the community. Sometimes those connections are local; sometimes they extend to all of k’lal Yisrael, all of Jewish peoplehood.

So the next time you hear another bad Jewish fundraiser joke, have a good laugh . . . but don’t forget the pride you feel at the kind of community we build together.

Shehecheyanu

By Jacob Solomon on 12/02/2010 @ 05:56 PM

Shehecheyanu, v'kiyimanu, v'higiyanu laz'man hazeh

“. . . Who has granted us life, sustained us and enabled us to reach this occasion”

I’m writing these, the first words of my first official foray into the digital world of the blogosphere, on the first day of Chanukah, so the words of the “Shehecheyanu” blessing are appropriate for the holiday. But in my family, whenever one of us is moved by an overwhelming sense of gratitude, it’s okay to call for a “shehecheyanu moment,” a time to pause and to give thanks for the blessing of life and the opportunity to savor the sweetness of occasions marking the passing of time with people we love.

This is such a moment.

The launch of the new JewishMiami.org is kind of like moving into a brand new house that we’ve been building for many months. Definitely a “shehecheyanu moment.” The design is amazing – there are amenities and upgrades that we’re so excited for all our friends and family to check out and use: you can publicize Jewish community events; upload videos; connect with other members of the community who share your particular passions; find resources . . . and so many more things to discover.

But like a new house, there may be a creaky floorboard or leak or two in the roof that we don’t know about, and we’re counting on you to let us know.*

Mostly, though, we’re so proud to welcome you to our new virtual home, a place I truly hope will be one of your favorite places to visit in the digital neighborhood. And not only don’t you have to wait for an invitation, you’re free to invite all of your friends to crash the party, too. So please come in, stay for as long as you like, explore all of the rooms and views and – by all means – come back often!

This blog is going to be my way to chat with you while you’re visiting. (No worries: I will not be showing you pictures of my summer vacation!) But I really do want to invite you into a conversation about our community, about your dreams and visions for our people and about your reactions to the blog and to the website, in general.

Please let me know what you’re thinking and let’s invite others into the conversation, too. Thanks for stopping by, and may this holiday of lights bring meaning and joy, for you and all those dear to you. Chag same’ach!

B’shalom,
Jacob

* BTW if you come across any issues with the website or have any suggestions, send us an email at: communications@JewishMiami.org. We’re eager to hear from you!