From Our CEO

Jerry Silverman, president and CEO of JFNA, is an experienced Jewish community leader and longtime corporate executive with over 25 years of experience at Stride Rite Corp., Levi Strauss & Co. and the Foundation for Jewish Camp, as well as on the boards of a range of Jewish organizations.

 

Diaspora Jews to Israel: We Need to Talk

Many are familiar with Theodor Herzl’s famous line: “If you will it, it is no dream.” However, few remember the continuation: “and if you do not will it, a dream it is and a dream it will stay.” Turning dreams into reality is difficult. We must persevere, face our obstacles and not…

From Our Leadership: Harvey is Our Call to Reflection and Action

The Hebrew month of Elul marks a period of deep introspection leading up to the High Holidays known as cheshbon hanefesh, an “accounting of one’s soul” and actions during the previous year. It is not meant to be merely an intellectual exercise; positive, corrective action is required …

From Our Leadership: Community Conquers Hate

Throughout history, we’ve had to respond to those bent on destruction. When the Second Temple was destroyed and Jerusalem was burning, and the remnant of our people were sent into exile, leading sage Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai responded by building an academy. Known as Yavneh, it became a s…

Passover: Letting Light Break Through

“Vayehi b’chatzi halayla…And so it happened in the middle of the night…” 

This piyut (liturgical poem), recited near the end of the Passover Seder, recounts the myriad events and wondrous feats accomplished on this night throughout our history. It is no coincidence that the Maste…

From Our Leadership: Standing Again As One

There is a midrash that, when standing at Sinai to receive the Torah, each person received their own personal revelation but responded in one voice, saying, “Na’aseh v’nishma” — “We will do and we will hear.” It is in that exquisite moment that we became one People. Each of us …