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Dispatches from the network and updates from the Foundation.
Oct 2016
In my capacity as Deputy Director General of the Federation of Local Authorities in Israel, I have been working for the past five years with all the local governments throughout the country: small and large, centrally located and in the periphery, Arab and Jewish. I have had the privilege to closely study the country with its challenges and opportunities. This professional platform has provided me with much knowledge which, alongside
Oct 2016
Here is a shot of our downstairs Sukkah and our upstairs Sukkah…Chag Somayach everyone. WHP alum Cheston Mizel (Los Angeles ’09) Our Sukkah is a place for hanging out with friends and neighbors, eating a meal, reading good books and, of course, some yoga and meditation. WHP alum Edie Raphael (Baltimore ’10) Waking up from the annual Sukkah Sleepover. WGF alum Ken Richmond (Class 13) This
The Wexner Foundation and various communal stakeholders met together with Heritage alumni (Detroit 86) and potential nominees for the Detroit ’17 class. They learned what is new in the Heritage program and also heard from various alumni how the program continues to impact their leadership. To nominate someone for the Detroit, Chicago or Montreal 2017 cohorts, please click here. What might be said in two minutes that can capture my
Oct 2016
Last week I had the opportunity to speak to a distinguished group of people in an intimate living room setting. There were Wexner Heritage Alumni, prominent figures in the Boston Jewish community, colleagues from the Wexner Israel Fellows Class 28 and their spouses. The intention of the gathering was to have a Fellow offer fodder for conversation and I chose to speak about aspects of Israel’s narrative, their connection to
Oct 2016
Here is a melody I composed for the piyut (liturgical poem) “Ya’aleh” which is chanted/prayed on Yom Kippur after Kol Nidre/ma’ariv — it’s based on the alphabet in reverse. Please email me if you’d like the sheet music and lyrics. Click here to listen. Shir Yaakov Feit, WGF Fellow (Class 28) is a singer, composer, designer, producer, teacher and dad. He engages Jewish, multi-faith and non-affiliated people around the world, building spiritual
Oct 2016
36 Minutes LIVE: Elul 5776 just concluded today. We held sessions with four scholars from around the world: the recently knighted Madame Le Rabbin Delphine Horvilleur, Chief Rabbi of Denmark, Rabbi Jair Melchior and two faculty who are already cherished by many in our network — Rabbi Ed Feinstein (CA) and Talmud Scholar and former MK (Knesset Member) Ruth Calderon (Tel Aviv). Each session is worth watching and the exploration
Oct 2016
Orit Farkash-HaCohen, WIF Alum (Class 18) What moved me the most was that for three full days cynicism was gone out the door. But really. Even the Israelis who are prone to be skeptics of everything. The Summit was a strong emotional reminder for me of why I am committed to what I do and why it is something to be proud of. Sue Reinhold, WHP Alum (San Francisco 14)
Re-posted with thanks to the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma counties. As the program officer for Jewish overnight camps at the San Francisco-based Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund, I made it my mission this summer to visit all four Northern California camps to see, first-hand, how they are helping build the next Jewish generation with the Federation’s support. It was at my final
Sep 2016
I felt lost when I learned of my dad’s late-stage cancer diagnosis. Despite having a top team of doctors battling his disease, I knew that prayer was my only weapon in this fight. I couldn’t shake the feeling, though, that there was more we could be doing. Our sages teach that repentance, prayer and charity can remove an evil decree. My father has always modeled that charity encompasses good deeds,