I’m not writing this week

I feel my eighth-grade self cringe as I write these words, “I enjoy writing this weekly article.”

I had big plans for today’s article:

- I planned to remind everyone to watch the Unpacked series on the Six Day War in preparation for the Yom Yerushalayim program on May 9. Details are now available. Click here.

- I planned to discuss stage one of a Federation “reopening” plan. This morning, we reserved the large outdoor pavilion in Central Park for our upcoming annual meeting on June 10. We are exploring hosting the meeting as a hybrid event allowing in-person as well as virtual participation. In the meanwhile, please save the date.

- I planned to share the good work we are doing through our partners at JDC to respond to the devastating COVID surge in India by distributing (among other essentials) Israeli-manufactured ventilators to local hospitals. You may directly support that effort here.

But then tragedy struck Israel last night. We join with the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) in offering our condolences to the families of those lost and our wishes for a refuah shleyma (complete recovery) to each of the injured. Here is JFNA’s statement, and here is a detailed summary of the tragic events.

And finally, I received this most beautiful d’var Torah from National Women’s Philanthropy (NWP) of JFNA. The board members take turns sharing thoughts on the weekly parsha, and I found this week’s article by Iris Kraemer of Jacksonville, Fla., to be truly outstanding. As I expressed to her when asking her permission to share, I found the sentiments much more profound than anything that I might have written.

So, sadly, no article from me this week.

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