Earlier this week, I was in Washington, DC for the Jewish Federations of North America annual General Assembly (GA). (You can view all the highlights and sessions by clicking here.) Accompanying me were Jack Birnbach, our Campaign Co-Chair, and Bob Horenstein, our Chief Public Affairs Officer. For the first time since the October 7 attacks, more than 2,000 volunteer and professional leaders from around the world came together to share ideas about the future of the Jewish community. Conversations addressed the scourge of antisemitism facing Jewish communities, how to support both Israel and Ukraine amid their respective ongoing wars, and how to chart a path forward as a cohesive North American Jewish community in a time of increasing polarization. There were plenaries, breakout sessions, and plenty of time to see colleagues and friends.

The program began on Sunday with the Unity Event. You will recall that last November over 290,000 people went to a rally in Washington, DC in support of Israel. This event was at the Washington Nationals baseball stadium with over 40,000 seats. Unfortunately, only about 5,000 people attended, and it did not have the impact the organizers had wanted.

We heard from survivors of October 7 and from members of hostage families. Aviva Siegel shared the story of her time in captivity and the fact her husband, Keith, originally from Chapel Hill, NC, is still being held in Gaza. Irene Shavit from Kibbutz Azza on the Gaza border talked about when the terrorists broke into her home’s safe room on October 7, they threw a grenade that injured her. The terrorist threw a second one and her brother, Netta, jumped on top of it to save the other members of the family. Through the support of our annual campaign and the Israel emergency fund, we have provided Aviva, Irene, and many others with life-saving physical and trauma therapies. As Irene said, “Your support didn’t just help me survive. It helped me take the first steps towards living again.”

We heard from a panel of three rabbis – Rabbi David Wolpe, emeritus Rabbi of Sinai Temple in Los Angeles, Rabbi Sharon Brous of IKAR in Los Angeles, and Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, president of Yeshiva University. They each talked about this past year and were asked to share a meaningful story.

Interestingly, Rabbi Berman told a story about basketball. You may recall the Yeshiva University (YU) men’s basketball team was undefeated and ranked #1 in Division III. At one point in the season, the YU team went to Maryland to play a game. The team was shocked to see that the arena was sold out. Apparently, the local Reform synagogue encouraged its members to all go to the game. They were not necessarily YU fans. They were there to support “our people” and felt the YU team was playing for Jews worldwide.

We had the special opportunity to hear from Isaac Herzog, the President of Israel. He shared inspiring words of hope, while also explaining the current situation and challenges. He stressed the need for Jews around the world and their allies to push for the release of the 101 hostages still being held in Gaza for over 400 days. He spoke about Iran. He reiterated that the Ayatollah and his regime are open about their desire for the destruction of Israel. Israel will not be deterred. However, he also said that we must separate the regime from the citizens of Iran and encouraged them to rise up. And, he congratulated Donald Trump on his election while sincerely thanking President Biden and Vice-President Harris for their friendship towards Israel.

Herzog said, “October 7 was a defining moment in Jewish history, not only because of the massive devastation, but because it reminded Jews of what we need. We need each other…we have all seen how much strength we can summon and how much comfort we can draw from choosing to come together as one people...If we cry together, rally together, mourn together, we can also choose to rebuild together. We are all stakeholders in the Jewish future.” He closed by stating, “We fight for our hostages. We fight for our people. We fight for our Jewish values. We fight for our Jewish communities.”

There were plenty of other major name speakers. George Will, the longstanding conservative columnist for The Washington Post, joined a panel discussion with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and shared this tidbit -- Israel today makes up only .0016% of the land in the Arab world. We heard from Sheryl Sandberg, formerly of Facebook and producer of the documentary Screams Before Silence (a documentary about the sexual violence committed by Hamas on October 7). She commented, "I sit on this stage as a proud Zionist and a proud Jew in a way I wouldn't have 18 months ago.

Rabbi David Wolpe eloquently summed up why over 2,000 leaders from Jewish Federations across North America and Jewish organizations around the world attended the GA - “We’re here because we care – and our challenge is to care more.” Amen!

Disappointing to share reported antisemitic incidents at the University of Oregon. Oregon Hillel has been very involved, including those impacted and we appreciate the response from the university administration.

Let me close with this little factoid from 96 years ago…

I am from Orlando -- home of Disney World. A few months ago, the History Channel did a fantastic series on How Disney Built America. I highly recommend it.

In the first episode, they talk about Disney’s landmark animation film, Steamboat Willie. Steamboat Willie was the first film starring Mickey Mouse (he was originally going to be called “Mortimer Mouse” until Walt Disney’s wife, Lillian, suggested “Mickey”). The movie was released on November 18, 1928 – on Monday it will be 96 years.

The movie actually had a Jewish connection. About one year earlier, Al Jolson’s film, “The Jazz Singer,” introduced the world to “synchronized sound” where the audio and visual elements matched up. Walt Disney saw this as a way to enhance his animated films. Steamboat Willie was the first animated film where the sound matched what the viewer was seeing on the screen (character dialogue, boat whistle, rushing water, and banging sounds are all examples). This changed animated films forever - and for the better. You can learn more here.

Shabbat shalom and let's do our part today to celebrate America Recycles Day.