If you ask a child what their three favorite days of the year are, one of them will inevitably be their birthday. And if you ask them why, they would probably say because they get presents. As we get older, our birthdays tend to be less about the presents and more about marking an important stage of our lives. Oh… and cake! Or pie? Or an ice cream sundae with sprinkles… and TWO cherries on top because it is your birthday, after all.

 

I am a strong advocate for marking special moments in time. It is why I love that Judaism has a special prayer, the Shehechiyanu, to remind us to stop, appreciate this very moment, and give thanks for being able to reach it.

 

For the last several months, our Jewish Federation has been celebrating our 30th Anniversary as an organization… marking the moment that took place on July 23, 1993, when community leaders established an entity whose primary goal was to serve the local Jewish community – from Glendale to Rancho Cucamonga.

 

In addition to the special programs we have run thus far to celebrate our anniversary, I am excited to announce our "30 for 30" Anniversary campaign. 

 

Over the next several days, you should receive a letter from us about this. We aim to raise $600,000 to help us move forward into our next 30 years. I know this goal sounds ambitious… and it is, but I genuinely believe we can reach it. It will be the largest amount we have ever raised when we do. And thanks to the generosity of several community members, every donation made before June 30 towards this campaign will be matched dollar for dollar. So, your $300 gift will be worth $600.

 

It seems weird for me to ask you to make a gift to celebrate our 30th Anniversary. However, the gift I am asking you to make is to our community's future. This is a chance for our community to come together to help our Jewish Federation ensure that we can continue to build community by strengthening and enhancing Jewish life right here in the greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys. This is a chance for you to think about how you (or your family) have personally benefitted from our Jewish Federation... an opportunity to say thank you. Consider it a gift you are giving to our local Jewish community's future. Gifts can be made online or by sending a check to our Jewish Federation indicating it is for the 30th Anniversary.

 

Lastly, be on the lookout for your invitation to our 30th Anniversary Celebration on Sunday, June 23. We will not only be celebrating our 30 years but also honoring our Presidents for their help in leading us to this momentous occasion. So, I hope you will mark your calendar (if you have not already done so) and plan to celebrate with us as we culminate our 30 years.