Twice this week, I had the opportunity to reference our website for answers to community questions.

One community member asked, “Hey Rob, can you give me a general breakdown of how Federation spends our donations?”

“I can.” I then directed the gentleman to the “Where Your Money Goes” page of our website.

Another community member asked, “Hey Rob, I know that our community successfully raised $2.1 million for the Israel emergency campaign as requested by National (Jewish Federations of North America). What did we do with the money?”

Our website’s homepage has a link to a Community Resource Page for the ongoing crisis in Israel. Embedded on that page is a link to a 91-page document from our national office about where our nationally pooled funds have been allocated.

Note that more than $850 million has been raised, but only $673 million has been allocated because not all pledges have been paid yet, and the committee has decided not to spend receivables.

I also note that our partnership region Eshkol, which sits on the Gaza border, was hardest hit on 10/7, and we have spent a portion of our collected funds directly in our region, elsewhere in Israel, or on residents to provide respite and other services.

As we finish up the High Holiday season tomorrow with Yom Kippur, I have heard many people modify the customary “Shanah Tovah—may it be a good year” greeting by wishing “Shanah Yoter Tovah—may it be a better year.” Amen!