by Howard Feinsand, Chair of the Board

Less than three months have passed since my term as Chair of the Board began at Federation’s 2014 Annual Meeting. Three months during which so much has happened to impact our Jewish community.

Less than two years have passed since Israel’s last conflict with Hamas; time sufficient for deadly rearmament, and surreptitious construction of invasive concrete tunnels. How quickly the calculus of risk and existential threat to Israel, and thus to all Jews, changes.

An array of enemies with new names and new leaders and new sources of financial and technical support, but derived from centuries of familiar hatred, has joined the world stage. The Israel that six busloads of Atlantans visited in June, crowded with tourists, bustling with business, crowded beaches and world class restaurants, hotels and clubs, was by mid-July a country devoid of tourists, under siege, its defense forces mobilized, its sirens warning of incoming missiles and residents frozen in shelters with their children due to geographic proximity to Gaza.

Following Hamas’ instigation of war, the necessity of having a strong and capable Federation at the center of Jewish Atlanta became clear to existing and new supporters alike. Federation’s ability to respond immediately and effectively, as part of a worldwide coalition of the Jewish Federations of North America, the Jewish Agency for Israel, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, The Israel Tramua Coalition, World ORT, The Union for Reform Judaism, The Conservative Movement and many others all in coordination with the Government of Israel, enabled people of all nationalities and faiths to help Israel tend to the critical human needs of its citizens.

Led by CEO Michael Horowitz, Israel and Overseas Director Cheri Levitan and all of our Federation professionals, extraordinary efforts successfully mobilized dozens of community organizations and thousands of people in solidarity with the Israeli people. More than 2,000 attended a rally at Federation headquarters.

Wisely and tirelessly led by Israel Emergency Campaign Chair Marty Kogon, Atlanta’s Stop the Sirens/Stand with Israel Campaign raised more than $1 million. 100% of all proceeds are devoted to meeting the immediate needs of the people of Israel resulting from the war, including the daily requirements of caring for and feeding the elderly, disabled and displaced whose permanent social services support became unavailable.

Several missions to Israel were conducted through Federation to provide inspiration to, and to demonstrate solidarity with, the people of Israel during this stressful and frightening period. Executive Committee members Michael Kogon and Steven Cadranel traveled with two such groups. Please see Steven’s daily heartrending emails to friends and family in Atlanta.

Federation’s unique role, front and center for the past several weeks, is both to mobilize resources quickly when necessary, and to plan for, support and convene thoughtful and collaborative efforts to meet long term community needs and challenges. Its ability to succeed in that role will require Federation to develop and grow meaningful relationships and experiences for its existing and future supporters and beneficiaries.

To meet that objective, we have established Federation’s focus for the next two years, as follows:

Educate the Atlanta community in clear and specific terms of the scope and importance of Federation’s activities, and provide visibility and transparency of its operations;

Strengthen and expand Federation’s relationships and collaboration with its supporters, community organizations, synagogues and affiliates;

Provide opportunities for new relationships among caring and capable people, enabling them to experience the warmth and satisfaction of giving of oneself to a greater cause, and not merely of donating one’s money;

Create enhanced professional development choices and leadership opportunities for Federation professionals; and

Build a deep and broad team of knowledgeable and connected people to lead and serve our Jewish community for years to come.

In the past two months I have seen the strength and power we have and what we can achieve when we come together as a community. My hope is to welcome you as a meaningful partner on our journey.

Shabbat Shalom,

Howard Feinsand

Chair of the Board