NOVEMBER 28 • 2024 | 5

For decades, the GA had been a

space for ideological clashes, where
debates about Israel’s policies or
visions of Jewish identity would
sometimes leave more questions
than answers. But this year,
that atmosphere of division had
vanished. Instead of arguments,
there was consensus. Instead of
questioning, there was action. Panels
and discussions zeroed in on the
logistics of how to amplify Jewish
voices, how to address the rampant
antisemitism, and how to build
safe, strong Jewish communities in
the face of rising hostility. It was
practical, it was direct, and it was
exactly what was needed.
One of the most concrete
results of this new spirit was
the quiet launch of Aleph Bet, a
groundbreaking initiative focused
on making Jewish day schools more
affordable and accessible. The Israeli
government, JFNA and other major
foundations have come together to
tackle the pressing issue of Jewish
education, not just by discussing its
importance but by putting resources
behind it.
Aleph Bet is a bold step toward
removing financial barriers, aiming
to strengthen the infrastructure
of Jewish day schools at a time
when interest in Jewish education
is surging, particularly after the
attacks in Israel. This isn’t just about
sustaining Jewish life; it’s about
giving Jewish families the tools they
need to engage with their identity
meaningfully without the heavy
burden of cost.
Eric Fingerhut, the CEO of JFNA,
captured the urgency in his address,
invoking Veterans Day to draw
a parallel between the enduring
sacrifices made by those in uniform
and the commitment needed
to sustain Jewish communities
worldwide.
“When hateful attacks occur … it
is an assault on all of us,” Fingerhut
declared, his voice filled with the
kind of gravitas that only comes

from lived experience. He noted
that this isn’t a momentary crisis
but a sustained period of challenge,
a reality the community needs to
be prepared to face for the long
haul. “Close your ears to no one,”
he urged, emphasizing the need to
listen and learn from every voice in
the community. This was not just a
rallying cry; it was a reminder that
the work ahead is not for the faint-
hearted. We’re in this together, and
the responsibility is shared.
Bari Weiss, journalist and founder
of The Free Press media company,
drove this point home with her
usual eloquence and fire. “History
is back, and the old normal isn’t
returning,” she told the audience,
a mix of change makers, fellows
and delegates from across North
America. “If it feels like the end,
that’s because all beginnings do.”
She warned against complacency,
emphasizing that this new reality
isn’t something we can just hope
will improve on its own. “We bend
the arc of history; it doesn’t bend
on its own.” Her words were both
a challenge and a reassurance,
reminding us that while the path
forward is daunting, it’s one we have
the strength to shape.

As the days went on, it became
clear that the entire assembly was
operating with a new sense of
purpose. Instead of theoretical
debates, they had concrete action
plans. Instead of leaving with
vague intentions, we left with
specific strategies. This was no
longer a conference — it was a
command center, a strategy session
to fortify the future of Jewish life
worldwide. The community’s focus
had sharpened, the resolve had
deepened, and the energy had
transformed.
Then came Gary Torgow’s closing
remarks, and he left us with words
that seemed to echo long after he
left the stage. Torgow, co-chair of
the 2024 General Assembly, is more
than a speaker — he’s a seasoned
leader with roots deep in Jewish
philanthropy and a passion for
community resilience. His address
was part charge, part benediction,
and as he spoke, it felt as if he was
offering the participants a kind of
map for what lies ahead.
“Each of us hail from our local
146 Federations strong,” he began,
“but more and more we recognize
that we must be nothing less than a
unified and cohesive collective.”

Torgow detailed the reality that
Jewish communities across North
America are inextricably linked.
“It is our promise to one another
to never despair, to continue to
stand together, one people with one
heart.”
These weren’t just words; they
were a mission statement, a call to
remember that our strength lies in
our unity.
Torgow went on to invoke the
legacy of Abraham and Sarah,
who opened their tent to all,
welcoming everyone with warmth
and kindness. In his retelling, this
story felt like a blueprint for the
Jewish world today. “How beautiful
are the communities you have built,”
he praised, acknowledging the
effort it takes to nurture a resilient,
inclusive community. He reminded
us that our work isn’t just about self-
preservation but about embodying
values that transcend time and
place.
In his final blessing, Torgow
captured the spirit of the assembly,
saying, “We each did our part. We
made a difference. We did not shirk
our responsibility, and we did it
together as one person with one
heart.”
As I listened, I couldn’t help but
feel the gravity of those words. We
had come to Washington, D.C., not
just as individuals but as a collective,
driven by a shared purpose, fortified
by our heritage, and committed to
a future that, while uncertain, was
undeniably ours to shape.
And with that, we left the GA not
just as delegates but as carriers of
a mission — to take the “how” of
everything we had discussed and
bring it to life in our communities,
to transform our intentions into
actions, and to build, as Torgow so
beautifully put it, a Jewish world
that stands together, as one person
with one heart.

Zvika Klein is the Editor-in-Chief of The

Jerusalem Post. Reprinted with permission.

An anti-government protest outside the Jewish Federations of North America summit
that took place in April 2023 in Tel Aviv.

TOMER NEUBERG/FLASH90/JERUSALEM POST