36 | SEPTEMBER 26 • 2019 

Rosh Hashanah

H

ineni. I am here. 
These words take on 
special significance 
during Rosh Hashanah and the 
Days of Awe, a time set aside 
to contemplate the meaning 
and purpose of 
our lives and to 
reflect on the 
ways we’
ve lived 
and the actions 
we’
ve taken. 
As we read 
in the Torah, 
Hineni is the 
response given 
by Abraham 
when called by 
God, signifying 
his absolute 
devotion and 
willingness to 
be of service, his 
readiness to be 
transformed. 
Hineni 
is central to 
the mission 
of the Jewish 
Federation. Our 
values are built 
upon a founda-
tion of commit-
ment, responsi-
bility and active participation. 
When we stand with our fellow 
Jews in community, when we 
support those in need and 
when we give, we are declaring 
we’
re here for each other and 
our community. 
Reflecting on our year as 
a community, we recognize 
moments of achievement and 
challenge, of inspiring progress 
in our efforts to strengthen and 
support the community, and of 
daunting crises that threatened 
the lives and well-being of Jews 
locally and across the world. 
This is a time when the 
scourge of anti-Semitism has 
grown, when threats to Jewish 
communities everywhere have 
become commonplace. With 
heavy hearts, we remember 

the tragedies of the Tree of 
Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh 
and the Chabad of Poway 
Synagogue in San Diego. We 
remember and take action: 
Thanks to the strength of our 
Annual Campaign, we’
ve been 
able to significantly bolster our 
local security efforts to ensure 
the safety of the community. 
We also remember a year in 
which Jewish Detroit continued 
to rise. We have seen more 
individuals embracing their 
Jewish identity and taking part 
in Jewish life, particularly our 
young adults, who are finding 
a reason to stay in Detroit. Our 
recent population study reports 
a stable community after many 
years of decline. Our syna-
gogues, camps and JCC remain 
centers of inclusive Jeiwsh life. 
We have developed better ways 
to ensure our most vulnerable 
populations — seniors, families 
in need and individuals with 
disabilities — live healthy and 
fulfilling lives.
We have taken on the crisis 
in youth mental health with a 
campaign of awareness, advoca-
cy and support. And, with the 
commitment of over 11,000 
donors, Federation’
s fundraising 
efforts continue to grow, allow-
ing us to provide more support 
to our agencies and schools.
Hineni. We are here. We 
are here for today, for those 
needing help as well as those 
searching for connection. 
We’
re here for tomorrow, 
too, and we strive to ensure a 
bright and vibrant future for 
our children. With the support 
of our extraordinary communi-
ty, we are “here for good.” 
May you have a meaningful 
holiday and a healthy, peaceful 
and joyful new year. 

Beverly B. Liss is president and Scott 
Kaufman is CEO of Federation. Alan 
Jay Kaufman is president of the United 
Jewish Foundation.

essay

Holiday Greetings from Federation

Beverly Liss

Scott Kaufman

Alan Jay 
Kaufman

