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We Stand with Israel - photo of Israeli flag

The terrific response from
our community to our
Israel Emergency
Campaign is hardly a
surprise. We are always
at our best in times of
great need and there
has never been a greater
need. To those among
you who already made
donations –Thank You!
This campaign is the most
important one in our life
time.

October 7th has forever
changed us, but our
generosity remains the
same. Make a donation
here on this site or mail
back the envelope you
received shortly after the
war began. 100% of your
contribution goes to
Israel’s Trauma Coalition,
Magen David Adom,
Soroka and Barzilai
Medical Centers.

Israel Needs You – Please
Donate Generously.
Thank You and Am Israel
Chai

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Federation of Greater New
Bedford by clicking the
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and using Goodsearch
to search the internet.
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March 28, 2024


Karina Arayev
Hostage, Day
174 Bring Her Home

Leadership

When Al Gore spoke about Senator Lieberman yesterday after the news of his passing came out, he said it was "an honor to stand with him." Lieberman was eulogized by people from the entire political spectrum. His fierce independence and faith brought him respect everywhere. It was telling that even after he endorsed his friend John McCain, President Obama insisted that he would remain a Democrat.

It is a safe bet that staying true to your ideas is at the foundation of leadership. When we think about Joe Lieberman, he will be remembered not because he was a senator of 24 years or a vice presidential candidate but because of his integrity, trust, experience and track record.

One person who most likely lost any chance of a universal eulogy in the past few months is Bibi Netanyahu. Friend of New Bedford Tal Schneider (see her video from a couple of years ago on our site) tears into the eternal prime minister in an op-ed for TOI titled "Netanyahu desperately seeks to strengthen his base, at the expense of US ties, hostages." Unlike the principled Joe Lieberman, everything Netanyahu does is pandering to his Likud and fanatic right wing religious base with one purpose only - stay in power! The blood of 1,533 dead Israelis, the souls of 127,000 displaced ones and the flesh of 14,889 Israelis who were physically injured almost guarantee that his place in history will forever be tarnished.

This item about leadership is not without its local angle. This week we learned that Rabbi Kanter, leader of Tifereth Israel Congregation for the past 27 years, will be retiring in a few short weeks. To borrow the words of Al Gore, it's been an honor to stand with you. Last week the letter inviting our community to participate in the Passover food drive went out under both our signatures for the 10th consecutive year. After the massacre in Pittsburgh we stood together on the same stage with all faiths, sharing our pain and offering healing. We first met when my son Jonathan and his daughter Rebecca were in second grade and it was literally the last millennium. It will be a very different place without you, Rabbi.

In the past 20 years I have read dozens of articles about the Jewish leadership pipeline problem - each one lamenting how little we do about the future. Earlier this year (in this very Bulletin) I shared an article from The Atlantic about the struggle of congregations and the short supply of leaders. Fewer and fewer are choosing Jewish spaces for work and as a career. The pool has been getting smaller every year. If the past few months have taught us anything, it is how valuable those who do pick our space are. And for that, my friend, I'd like to personally thank you.

 

[ Read more in the Bulletin. >>> ]

 

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Annual Meeting Keynote Speaker Ana Sazonov Answers Your Questions About Ukraine

On June 16, 2022, at our annual meeting, we hosted Ana Sazonov, executive director at the Jewish Federation of Columbia, SC. Ana recently returned from two weeks of volunteer work at the Ukraine border with Poland and shared her experience with us. We had many questions after and she answered all of them.

 

Greetings From Our Friends - Sent For Our Annual Meeting

Annual meeting greetings from New Bedford friend Ed Asner

Annual meeting greetings from Israeli
journalist and New Bedford friend
Tal Schneider
Annual meeting greetings from
New Bedford friend David Broza

Annual meeting greetings from
New Bedford friend Nancy Spielberg

Annual meeting greetings from our
Partnership team in Afula Israel



Jewish Federation Annual Campaign




   

STAFF
Amir Cohen
Executive Director

Michelle Poirier
Associate Director

TELEPHONE
(508) 997-7471

E-MAIL
office@jewishnewbedford.org

MAILING ADDRESS
467 Hawthorn St.
North Dartmouth, MA
02747