For the last three days, I have been in Washington, DC, for the Jewish Federation of North America’s General Assembly, with our Board President, Jeanine Borland Mann. This annual event brings together 2500 Jews from across North America, along with organizational representatives from Israel and throughout the Jewish world. It was incredibly inspiring and heartwarming to be with so many people who are committed to our collective Jewish community.

And, as I did when I attended last year, before the General Assembly officially began, I decided to walk around the National Mall on Sunday morning. For me, it was a homecoming because, before moving to SoCal in 2000 for grad school, I lived and worked in the DC area. As I walked by the Washington Monument, the World War II Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the MLK Jr. Memorial, and the Vietnam War Memorial, I was once again struck by the majestic beauty of our nation’s capital. It also gave me a chance to reflect and think about the work our Jewish Federation does not only for our local community, but also the impact it has on the larger Jewish community.

Here are several of my reflections…

• Even as we go through this dark time of increased antisemitism and anti-Israel/anti-Zionism, AMAZING things are happening. There are people who do “get it” and understand what we are experiencing and feeling…. We are not alone!

• In the midst of the darkness that many people have expressed to me, Jewish life is thriving in ways we never could have imagined, even as we are defending ourselves against antisemitism and vitriolic hate because of actions taken that are out of our control. As an example, take what happened in Philadelphia when word got out about the pro-Palestinian Boycott Bike Ride that targeted six Jewish-owned businesses. Not only was there a massive public outcry, but people showed up in large numbers to support the businesses, with some even waiting in line for over an hour to counter the protest.

• There are more people right now seeking ways to engage more in and with the Jewish community.

• There is an incredible group of dedicated Jewish professionals and lay leaders who are committed to continue to do everything in their power to ensure people have opportunities for positive Jewish experiences and outlets.

Our Jewish Federation, along with the more than 140 other Jewish Federations and Network Communities, has been entrusted with the important role of watching over our community. We hold this dear, and it guides all the work we do. And we do this so each one of us can experience and celebrate the joy of being Jewish, not just for us today, but for future generations. It is the same thing our parents and grandparents helped ensure we have been able to do for generations.

And because of this, each of us must take this moment and find ways to celebrate Judaism in whatever way we can. So, find something… anything… you can do to celebrate and feel proud to be Jewish this week. We owe it to them and to future generations.

AM YISRAEL CHAI!

(THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL LIVE!)