This year, Passover takes on a deeper meaning, which I’m sure will be reflected in the conversations we have around our Seder tables. I’ve often written and spoken about our Federation’s tremendous commitment to building a dynamic, engaging, and open Jewish community for today and for the future. I hope you share my pride in that important work, which is making a profound impact. Today I’m writing to acknowledge the deep concerns we all have about the rise of national and global anti-Semitic acts and hate speech.
We share your concerns and are engaged both proactively and reactively, locally and internationally.
We remain steadfast in our dedication to the safety and security of our community. We are more prepared because of our Community Security Initiative (CSI), which provides immediate support through our alerts and direct contact with all of our institutions and synagogues.
We are strengthening and deepening our relationships throughout our city. This past week, for the first time, we partnered with the Los Angeles Human Relations Commission to host an Interfaith Seder at City Hall with a diverse group of community, civic, and religious leaders. The Seder explored the universal themes of Passover and gave every participant the opportunity to dialogue and find common ground during these challenging times. These relationships will lead to even deeper partnerships in the future.
We have taken the lead by bringing together over 40 organizations and synagogues, in partnership with the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust and the Museum of Tolerance, to hold a community-wide Yom HaShoah Commemoration on Sunday, April 28th, at Pan Pacific Park. Over 50 community organizations and institutions are coming together to remember and honor the victims of the Holocaust. I hope you will join Mayor Eric Garcetti and me to honor our survivors and remind the world, “Never Again.”
We are redoubling our efforts to bring important leaders throughout our city to Israel. Through our Holy Land Democracy Project, we are continuing our important work promoting Israel education in charter, public, private, and religious schools throughout Southern California. Education continues to be the most effective proactive strategy to combat anti-Semitism.
And still, we do so much more. From our work behind the scenes on all of our college campuses to our work in Sacramento and Washington D.C., rest assured that we share the same concerns and the same dreams. We are committed to the vibrancy, strength, and future of our community — here in L.A. and around the world.
We are able do all of this because of your generosity and support.
We wish you and your families a happy Passover.
Shabbat Shalom,
Jay Sanderson
President & CEO
