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