5784 leads us to 5785

Nat Ritter, Federation Board Chair

As we ponder the coming new year, thinking about the past helps frame our future. The year 5784 was filled with heartache and sorrow which will be seared into our Jewish heritage. The Jewish people before us showed respect and reverence to the past but have always looked to the future with optimism and hope. The Jewish proverb 24:16 that says “The righteous fall down seven times and get up” leads us to believe we must continue to pursue our future goals even though we may run into impasses along the way.

The theme of resilience is also in the Jewish prayer, “I lift up my eyes unto the mountains, from where does my help come? My help comes from the Holy One, Creator of heaven and earth.”

As we look to the new year, our strength will come from imagining and determining our goals and trying different ways to achieve them. Our inner strength gives us the ability to try and try again if we know our goals are worth the effort.

Tragedy and misfortune befall us all. As I have learned, our darkest hours are followed by light which leads to better and brighter days. The tragic day of Oct. 7, 2023 and antisemitism that has raised its ugly head throughout the world can only be fought with all of our strengths: education, unity of our people and standing our ground for right and wrong.

Secure Community Network is the official safety and security organization of the Jewish community that is working to educate and secure Jewish agencies across North America. Secure Community Network can also help Jewish agencies write and secure state and federal security grants that are available. Secure Community Network has just announced our Regional Security Advisor, John Murtaugh, who will work with Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, Jewish Federation of Lee & Charlotte Counties, and Jewish Federation of Pinellas & Pasco Counties.

By showing our strength as undivided people, our unity will make it more difficult for antisemitism to spread. By being part of a community, we show the greater public that Jews share their common interest, as well as gain strength from one another. We too want to share a better world and join hands to lead the way forward.

Together as one, we are stronger. Leading by example and differentiating right from wrong shows that we too are working to “repair the world.”

The new year of 5785 will bring new opportunities for growth and knowledge. Undoubtedly, we will have singular and multiple disappointments. We will also have new and exciting opportunities.

For our Federation, we have a wonderful building to share new experiences. We will have a wonderful opportunity to thank and congratulate our current CEO and President Jeffrey Feld, who is retiring, for the wonderful accomplishments he has achieved over the past ten years. And in the future, we will have an opportunity to meet and greet our incoming CEO and President Nammie Ichilov.

All of this involves the evolution of time and patience. 5784 leads us to our future … 5785.

L’Shana Tovah Tikatevu!