Before I get any further in this week’s message, I would like to start by wishing you and your family a Chag Purim (Happy Purim). I think it is rather poignant that we are celebrating the holiday that celebrates our victory over Haman – a figure from Persia who wanted to eradicate Jews – in the midst of this weekend’s US-Israeli attacks on Iran. In some ways, it is emblematic of just how far our people have come since the events in our Hebrew Bible.

I do think it is important to note that it is not just Israel’s military strength that has grown exponentially… it is also in the influence the Jewish community has developed over the years. I share this following last Thursday’s California Gubernatorial Candidates Forum, coordinated by a collection of Jewish organizations across the state.

It was an incredible experience to be with close to 1,000 in attendance at the Skirball Center to hear from five of the leading candidates (Steve Hilton, Matt Mahan, Eric Swalwell, Antonio Villaraigosa, and Tom Steyer) who are vying to be elected and succeed Governor Newsom. Over the course of the forum, each candidate shared their personal perspectives and ideas on a wide range of topics, including affordability, Antisemitism prevention and Jewish community safety, K-12 education and ethnic studies, the California-Israel relationship, and critical social safety net programs, to name a few. If you were not able to attend, you can view the recording here.

This event was the first of its kind within the Jewish community, and as I walked away, I felt a great sense of awe and inspiration. But it was not because of anything the candidates said; it was because the event took place and served as a powerful example of what Jewish advocacy can do when our collective Jewish “voice” comes together.

Then, just over 24 hours later, news broke that the US and Israel attacked Iran, and my attention immediately turned to thinking about and worrying about how these events would impact our local Jewish community. This situation feels very different from recent years. I think it's because this time, the US and Israel went on the offensive, instead of being attacked. I feel unsettled and conflicted about this shift, but I am still trying to process exactly why.

Although we are still in the early stages, I am very concerned that as the war continues to drag on, and more innocent people die, Israel is going to be blamed, and even more hostility will be directed not only at Israel but also at the Jewish community. But this is one of the many reasons the work of our Jewish Federation is so vital. With the support of community members like you, we are able to serve as the Jewish voice for our community, and we are positioned (and prepared) to respond as situations unfold.

This past Sunday, I began my 22^nd year working at our Jewish Federation, and I am so very proud of all we have accomplished during this time. I look forward to continuing to lead this organization as we work toward our mission to strengthen and enhance our community by promoting and advocating for Jewish values and Jewish life in the greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys.