From the CEO

Unprecedented Need

Last week’s message was, “Federation is here for you.”

We focused our energies on getting people groceries.  We asked people to sign up if they needed assistance, and we asked for volunteers to help with shopping and deliveries.  Thank you to the dozens of people who have volunteere…

Hierarchy of Needs

As we look at humanity’s hierarchy of needs, Jewish Federation works throughout the pyramid. We direct funding to the hungry, but we have also had the luxury of working on long-term projects to benefit the Jewish community, our significance and our purpose. And now we have COVID-19. There …

Coronavirus and our Jewish Community

1. We are so fortunate in the Capital District to have, in my opinion, the best board of rabbis. It really is an amazing group. I was privileged to sit with them yesterday during a briefing based on recommendations from the Albany County Department of Health and from a consultant to the NYS …

No elbow-bumping the Torah

Last April, I wrote about the different synagogue cultures regarding touching and familiarity as it relates to greetings and the impact of the #metoo movement.  Well friends, the Coronavirus has rendered that entire discussion moot because all levels of touching now appear to be inappropria…

Report Card

Back in December 2013, upon returning from a lengthy visit to the Holy Land, I highlighted for you my top three non-political criticisms of the State of Israel. I’m sad to report that this amazing first-world country—the “start-up nation”, the tiny country that nearly landed a craft …