Rosh Hashanah >> communal messages

A Time To Look Forward

T

his is a special time for Jews across
the world, a time of reflection
and renewal. This year, however,
Rosh Hashanah has a unique significance
for me. As I prepare to begin my term as
president of the Jewish Federation, I find
myself reflecting on not only my own life,
but also the life of our community.
As with any other year, we have seen
our share of both good and difficult times.
We have had blessings to celebrate and
losses to endure. Through it all, we have
remained amongst the most caring and
close-knit communities to be found any-
where.
We have much to be grateful for, includ-
ing a breadth of organizations that together
build and sustain Jewish life at every
age and a variety of outstanding service

agencies to help those in need. In recent
years, our young adults have established
themselves as a dynamic and committed
force and have begun to take up
the mantle of leadership of our
community. And there could be
no better examples of the col-
lective spirit of Jewish Detroit
than our response to the crisis
in Israel, defending itself against
Hamas, as well as the local his-
toric flooding disaster. In both
cases, our community came
together to raise funds, offer
support and truly define the
meaning of Kol Yisrael, all Jews
are responsible for each other.
Ultimately, Rosh Hashanah is a time to
look ahead, and there is much to do. Many

of those who were hit hardest by the recent
recession have yet to recover. Our brothers
and sisters in Israel still need our support,
now more than ever. The spirit
of our tradition, and of Jewish
Detroit, dictates that we leave
no one behind.
Most exciting are the oppor-
tunities to re-imagine our
community for the future. How
can we better work together to
ensure that the values and rich-
ness of Jewish Detroit continue?
How might we rethink our cur-
rent organizational models to
meet the needs of the upcoming
generation of Jews? How can
we continue to support the revitalization of
Detroit? These are just some of the ques-

tions that I look forward to helping tackle.
It is an honor to take on the role of presi-
dent, and I am both excited and humbled
by the work that lies ahead.
Yasher koach — may your strength be
increased — on a job well done by Doug
Bloom and Todd Sachse, current presi-
dents of our Federation and Foundation. I
am honored to continue your great work.
I want to wish our community a won-
derful Rosh Hashanah. May you all be
inscribed in the Book of Life, and may you
have a healthy and happy new year.
Kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh — All of
Israel is responsible for one another.

Larry Wolfe

President-Elect

Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit

Reflecting On The Past Year

A

s we approach the New Year 5775
we take time to reflect on 5774.
This was a significant year for
the Jewish people internationally, nation-
ally and locally.
On the international level, we have been
focused these past months almost daily on
the events in Israel and Gaza. Once again,
Israel has been forced to protect its nation
and its people as it came under rocket
attack from the terrorist group Hamas.
This bitter, painful war has killed and
maimed thousands, both Palestinians, used
by Hamas as human shields, and Israelis,
young soldiers defending their country and
civilians victimized by Hamas' declared
desire to destroy Israel and its people.
Israel continues to face multiple threats,
including well-armed terrorists on its bor-
ders bent on destroying the Jewish State;
the specter of a nuclear Iran; ISIS, the new
regional Islamist army that even Al Qaeda
condemns for its barbarity; an economy

that's thriving but also burdened by enor-
mous military costs; and social problems
such as income inequality, gender issues
and conflicts between religious
streams.
The Jewish people face ris-
ing anti-Semitism in Europe
and around the world, and
nationally we are even seeing
increased incidents within our
own country.
Locally, we have faced a diffi-
cult winter and even more diffi-
cult summer due to storms and
flooding that have significantly
affected many of our brothers
and sisters in the Jewish com-
munity.
As we look forward to the new year, we
hope that sustainable quiet continues for
Israel and its people. There is much we can
do as a community to make 5775 a good
year: Continue to generously give to the

Federation and other Jewish organizations
that fund and support Israeli institutions
and programs. Support JCRC and other
Israeli advocacy organizations
that call upon elected officials
to preserve and strengthen
the U.S.-Israel relationship.
Sustain our community's
friendly relations with the many
Presbyterians in Metro Detroit
who opposed the recent decision
of their national denomination
to divest from Israel. Teach our
children to love Israel. Teach our
community members — espe-
cially college students — how
to defend Israel in the face of
the boycott/divestment/sanc-
tions movement. Visit Israel and buy Israeli
products.
JCRC will continue to remind the news
media, members of Congress, and our
friends in other faith and ethnic commu-

nities that the Jewish community is con-
cerned about many other issues, including
poverty, the recovering economy, a hoped-
for renaissance for the city of Detroit,
human and civil rights. We strive to guide
our community toward activism, promot-
ing involvement at every opportunity to
make the world a better place.
Our shared Jewish values should be our
guideposts: Repair the world. Walk paths
of peace in our dealings with each other.
Do not stand idly by in the face of injustice
or the pain of the downtrodden. Recognize
our special responsibility to aid our fellow
Jews at home, in Israel and around the
world.
Let us pray that if we walk that path,
5775 will truly be a shanah tovah — a good
year for us all.

Dr. Richard Krugel

President, Jewish Community Relations Council

of Metropolitan Detroit

Vow To Help Others

0

n Rosh Hashanah we celebrate
the renewal of the world and
our link to a sacred cycle of
time, place and ritual. To share the expe-
rience of Jewish connection, we look deep
within our hearts to see how we can help
to repair the world, a daunting task as we
approach 5775. To add meaning to the
new year, consider volunteering with a
Jewish organization such as JVS.
"The righteous person fails seven times
and gets up" (King Solomon, Proverbs 24:16).

JVS helps people get up by
helping young people chart
a college and career path;
empowering adults with dis-
abilities to fully participate in
their community; providing
foreclosure prevention sessions
to help families remain in their
homes; teaching unemployed
workers the latest job search
strategies; and helping seniors
age with dignity through

.

Leah
Rosenbaum

meaningful programs. These
comprehensive services change
with the needs of our com-
munity, enabling people from
all walks of life to realize their
life's potential.
We cannot thrive in isolation.
Through engagement, involve-
ment and commitment, we build
a healthy, stable community.
Take advantage of all the vol-
unteer opportunities that abound

in our Jewish agencies. There is a place
where your voice can be heard, your actions
can be beneficial and your experience can
be shared to support others in need.
On behalf everyone at JVS, we wish you
a year of good health, a year of meaning-
ful relationships and, most importantly, a
year of peace.
Shanah tovah.

Leah Rosenbaum

JVS President and CEO

Messages on page 54

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September 18 • 2014

JN