New name better reflects our scope

By Alan Margolies, Executive Director

 

We exist to strengthen, support, and serve the Jewish community locally, in Israel and the world-that is why I love being a part of the Jewish Federation and Foundation of Northeast Florida.  Over the summer, we worked to build a more unified presence by changing our name to encompass the actual areas we serve, the WHOLE northeast Florida Jewish community, including areas north of Jacksonville, such as Amelia Island; south such as St. Johns County and St. Augustine; and west, such as Clay County.  We are also about to celebrate our two-year anniversary of the merger of the Jewish Foundation with the Jewish Federation, and our new name celebrates that collaborative partnership. We are working on supporting the community’s current and future needs by providing both active funding for our partners and planned giving and endowment services for sustained funding.  We are here for the entirety of the Jewish Community and our new name makes that clear.

The Jewish News is just one of the ways where we support you. We hope that you’re enjoying the magazine format, which in years past has only been used as a way to reach out over the summer.  We would love to hear if you’re enjoying the magazine or if you miss the newspaper. Please e-mail Mindy Rubenstein at mindyr@jewishjacksonville.org with your comments and feedback. 

There are many opportunities for community involvement coming up as we head into the new Jewish year. Of course, there is our 2019-2020 Annual Campaign, but we also have two excellent missions to Israel I’d like to highlight.   There are currently 19 women registered to participate on the second Women’s Mission to Israel on April 21-28, there is still room so please join! Also, our Interfaith Mission, with scholars in residence Rabbi Elizabeth Bahar of Congregation Ahavath Chesed and Pastor Kyle Reese Deputy Director of One Jax, promises to highlight what makes Israel unique as the home to various religions.  Please call 904-448-5000 for more information on either mission.

Wishing everyone a meaningful fast and the continued joy of celebrating the holidays with family and friends.