Recent incidents in Portland, Minneapolis, and elsewhere have many people angry and concerned. During these turbulent times, we are reminded that we share this place and this moment together. We live as neighbors, and our well-being is tied to one another's. 

Once again, warmest wishes to you and your family for a happy and meaningful 2026. There is something profoundly hopeful about the start of a new year.

The first thing I want you to do is open your calendar or take out your phone and block off Sunday, August 30. I cannot share all the details just yet, but I promise you this -- it will be a very special day for our Jewish community, and you will want to say you were there.

During the past few weeks, the question that dominates my thinking is simply: What comes next?

Here at the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, we are moving beyond merely reacting to the world around us; we are proactively and deliberately building for a future that is vibrant, safe, unapologetically proud, and deeply connected. I believe the path forward lies in multiple priority areas, building upon the lessons of the past and dreams for the future.

Impact Allocations – The Jewish Federation is both a fundraising and financial-resource allocating organization. We raise money to support our community, including 50+ Jewish organizations and programs – and we are proud to do this.

The way the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland approaches allocations will evolve as our community evolves. We understand the importance of “helping keep the lights on,” but we are not interested in funding the status quo. Our focus for tomorrow is about innovation – not merely preservation.

We will be expecting more and different. Data will drive decisions and efficiencies. By strategically directing our resources, we will be helping to write Jewish Portland’s next chapter focused on igniting the Jewish joy that will define our community for decades to come.

Simple Act of Gathering -- Every year, we focus on attendance numbers. Look how many people were at the gala, a program, or speaking event. But we also forget that 99% of the Jewish community is not even there.

To truly strengthen the fabric of our community, we need to also support “the micro.” We need to bring the spirit of the "big tent" into our homes, neighborhoods, and public spaces.

While the Jewish Federation acts as the "central nervous system" of our community -- coordinating, funding, securing – (as my colleague used to say) everything still "happens around the Shabbat table." We want to see a massive, grassroots expansion of what others have called "radical hospitality."

We live in a digital world that breeds isolation. We are more connected than ever, yet we are also lonelier. I am challenging every family in Jewish Portland to meet/welcome someone they do not know well. Now is the opportunity to break down the walls of our comfort zones.

We cannot let our "big tent" become a collection of silos where we only see those we know or speak to those who echo our own thoughts. We must weave the threads tighter. And it starts with the simple act of gathering, including utilizing our Gather Grant program (current cycle applications close this weekend).

Security -- We will continue to work hard to keep our community safe! Our community security initiative and funding remains an essential part of every Jewish organization’s infrastructure. Security, however, is not just about cameras, safety glass, and guards – they are only half the equation. The other half is based on you. Be aware. Be vigilant. Most of all, if you see something…say something!

Reciprocal Bridge Building -- I wrote last week that our Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) continues to sit down with elected officials, civic leaders, interfaith partners, and neighbors to explain that hate against one group is a threat to all. These relationships take work, patience, and time, but they are vital. True allyship is reciprocal. As the Jewish community continues to show up for others in their times of need, we are encouraged and fortified by those who are there for us.

We are a Jewish community that is a visible, active force for good in the broader civic life of Greater Portland. Whether it is tackling the housing crisis, addressing food insecurity, or supporting other minority communities, the Jewish community is not just concerned, we are a community that stands with others.

Living Bridges with Israel -- Am Yisrael Chai is more than a slogan. Our connection to Israel remains a bedrock of our work. And we want to evolve this relationship by building "living bridges." This is not a new idea – but it is something we have not done in a long time.

We have an incredible shlicha in our community creating Israel programming. This goes beyond that. I want to see more people-to-people exchanges -- artists, scientists, social entrepreneurs, educators, and others coming from Israel to Portland and Portland to Israel -- not to talk about the conflict, but to talk about the future.

We must remind ourselves, and the world, that Israel is a vibrant, diverse society grappling with challenges much like our own. By humanizing these connections, we defeat the narratives that seek to demonize. As they say in Atlanta, "We may not be related, but we are mishpocha (family)."

The Path Forward -- As we look toward the future, I ask you to do three things:

• Engage: Do not just attend -- participate. Host that dinner. Take a class. Be part of the conversation. Do not stand on the sidelines of your own community.

• Give: Your financial support is the fuel for everything we do. It is the lifeblood of our ability to respond.

• Believe: Believe in the value of this community. Believe that your leadership matters. Believe that we are building something enduring, together.

In 2026, we will continue to build a community that is safe, inclusive, and deeply connected to our Jewish values. We will also focus on innovation that meet the diverse needs of our Jewish community. It is your trust, your partnership, and your commitment to the Greater Portland Jewish community that makes all of this possible.

I would be remiss if I did not mention I will be doing a "Town Hall" at the Eastside Jewish Commons on Thursday, January 22 at 7:00 p.m. Join me to hear more about our Jewish community and to share your thoughts. Register here.

Hoping 2026 will bring peace, good health, and even greater connection for us all.

Shabbat Shalom.