You are the light at the end of a frenzied fall season

Shabbat Shalom!

How is it possible that we are already in mid-November? We know that fall always feels like it rushes by, as we try to keep up with the school year, Jewish holidays, and a myriad of events and family activities along the way.

Usually, by this point in the season we are planning a trip home to Omaha, choosing a family photo for our New Year’s cards, working through the Hanukkah gift list, and of course, as a Jewish Federation professional, working on the final stretch our annual campaign.

This year, however, looks a little different. On the plus side, a road trip to Omaha will pleasantly replace a two-connection early morning flight from Birmingham.

To balance that out, our coordinated-outfits and fresh-haircuts family photo session had all the elements of “Cat in the Hat” chaos. For the first time in ten years, I threw my hands up and said, “Forget it!” So, to our friends and family reading this: we’re doing great; Nora is six inches taller than last year, and the holiday card has officially fallen off the priority list. We’re taking the money we would have spent on the printing and postage and putting it toward a family experience, and honestly, that feels like a win.

Now Hanukkah is around the corner. In the move to St. Louis, I somehow lost my running list of gift ideas. Do you think my four- and six-year-old niece and nephew would appreciate charitable donations made in their names? No? I need to figure out how to maintain “Favorite Uncle” status, so I’ll likely go with something loud or that requires complicated assembly for my brother-in-law.

But recalling the ups and downs of adulting during this topsy-turvy season can’t keep me from writing this message with a massive smile on my face. Why? Because I am kvelling with pride for this community as we approach an incredible milestone of $10 million raised through our annual campaign. Your generosity over the past year has been both inspiring and humbling. In my short time here, I’ve learned that this truly is a special place, full of very special people.

So special, in fact, I have something very exciting to announce. A group from our community recently learned about the realities of our increased security costs and came together to create a $180,000 match for any new or increased gifts made through the end of the year. That means up to $360,000 in new dollars that will help ensure the safety and vibrancy of our Jewish community.

With this match, every gift matters. If you’ve already made your contribution but wish to increase it, you can donate directly online or call our offices. If you haven’t yet made your gift, fill out your pledge card, drop it in the mailbox—or simply email me, and I’ll take care of the rest.

As we prepare for Hanukkah and the close of the year, I’m reminded of the Torah’s words in Exodus, where G-d says to Moses: “Tell the Israelites to bring Me an offering. You shall accept gifts for Me from every person whose heart is so moved.”

The strength of our community has always come from hearts that are moved. People who give not because they must, but because they care.

May we continue to build a community rooted in generosity, gratitude, and light. Together, we bring more hope, more joy, and more wholeness into the world, one act of giving at a time.

Shabbat Shalom and thank you for being the light that keeps our community shining.