Dear Friends,
Why does community matter? What is its value to us as Jews? In so many ways,
current events have demonstrated the strength and necessity of the Jewish Federation
of Greater Philadelphia and Jewish communal bonds. We are there for the celebrations
and the crises because we have the networks and partnerships already in place to rush
to where we are most needed. In order to respond to a tragedy, we need to be ready the
day before, and we are.

Over the past year, we banded together in times of significant simchas and sorrows. We celebrated together for
Israel’s 70th anniversary with dozens of events bringing together thousands of people. We responded together
when our Israel partnership region was in crisis, rushing to their aid with emergency funding for their physical
and emotional safety. And when 11 Jews were murdered in Pittsburgh during Shabbat worship — followed closely
by another tragic shooting in a Poway, California synagogue, killing one — we grieved together and declared our
collective determination to stand up to anti-Semitism and hate in all its forms.

At the very same time, the Jewish Federation has been stalwart in continuing to do our sacred day-to-day
work of sustaining our Jewish communities and helping to ensure its vibrant future. Every year, thanks to your
generosity, we support so many wonderful organizations and programs that serve vulnerable populations, inspire
community engagement and support Jewish life and learning. That programming directly affects the lives of
hundreds of thousands of people, and is something they know they can depend on, year after year — because the
Jewish Federation will always be there.

Therein lies the meaning and value of community. It’s the place that has your interests at heart, where you know
you belong and can always turn. It’s a support system; a safety net; a big, noisy, loving mishpachah. It’s where we
can amplify our voices to the point no one can ignore. Every dollar and volunteer hour is used to strengthen our
community — and for that, I am grateful to each of you, since any community is only as strong as the people who
participate. For everything you do to Carry the Light for our Jewish communities, I thank you.

As I enter my final year as board chair, I encourage you to continue reaching out to me with your feedback
and suggestions at selachs@jewishphilly.org. And to keep up with the latest in our Jewish communities and how
your involvement with the Jewish Federation impacts our world, I encourage you to sign up for our Jewish Philly
e-newsletter at jewishphilly.org/newsletter.

From my family to yours, I wish you a sweet, happy and healthy 5780.

Susanna Lachs Adler
Board Chair, Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
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THE GUIDE 2019/2020
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