Celebrating our Rishonim (Shinshinim) here in our community and getting ready to start the new year and their new assignments in our day schools, synagogues, agencies, and community.
If you haven’t yet had the chance to sign up to host a Rishon/Rishona (pre-army Israeli emissary) - there are a couple of spots left. Hosting is an amazing, inspiring, life-changing experience.
Nine years ago today I started work as the CEO of our Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ
Every day has been different. I don't think I've ever had a day in which I've sat in my office behind a desk and answered emails or had meetings all day.
We're the largest non-city Jewish Federation in the country. A huge diverse, vibrant and inspiring community.
But all connected.
I’m so grateful for our Israeli partners, sharing our commitment to Israel, and bringing us closer together.
Our deepest commitments make us stronger, better, and closer:
Peoplehood
Partnerships
Pluralism
Chen, Inbal and Adi thank you so much for everything you do, and are. #IamGMW #CareBuildSave #WeLiveIsrael
Think about all the “stuff” we love in this community. The synagogues, the agencies, the institutions. And think what would happen if they suddenly didn’t exist.
We’d have to build them. Would we do things differently? Sure.
But much of what we’d build would look similar to what we have now.
All the things we love now were built and maintained because those who came before us loved them, believed in them. And we get the chance to rebuild them too. Every day.
Last week I sat with Ukrainian refugees who were resettled in Chisinau — also known as Kishinev.
And I witnessed the worst and best of humanity.
Full story here: https://njjewishnews.timesofisrael.com/moldova-ukraine-and-our-jewish-commitment/
Grateful to be with Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ supported colleagues from partner agencies like הג'וינט - The Joint in Moldova - looking at our work to help refugees from Ukraine and what next needs to be done.
Our work continues, and is still vital.
Oh hello. And welcome to our Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ kitchen …
We’re putting together a delicious cookbook - and you can be part of this historic project too! Click on the link for more information: www.JFedGMW.org/recipes
I was immensely grateful to meet yesterday with 15 cantors from various denominations, to talk about our community and its horizons.
Cantors are one of the core connecting threads of Jewish life in our Greater MetroWest NJ community. They lead prayer, guide our spiritual and communal lives, and educational efforts, and so much more.
We talked about communal security, the situation in Ukraine, the outcomes of Israel’s elections, and how to do even more together. #grateful
Dov Ben-Shimon
