Good Morning.
On Monday, the Jewish Federations of North America welcomed the official announcement of resumed final status negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian officials. The Jewish Federations of North America Board of Trustees Chair Michael Siegal expressed his appreciation for U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's leadership, as well as for the two parties for their good-faith efforts to return to the negotiating table.

On Tuesday morning, President Obama and Vice President Biden met with the negotiators at the White House.  The President conveyed his appreciation to both sides for the leadership and courage they have shown in coming to the table, and to directly express his personal support for final status negotiations towards the goal of achieving two states living side by side in peace and security.

Secretary Kerry reiterated the U.S. commitment to Israel's security and underscored the benefits of peace, stating:  "We can also envision a day when Israelis actually can truly live in peace - not just the absence of conflict, but a full and a lasting peace with Arab and Muslim nations, an end once and for all to the pernicious attacks on Israel's legitimacy. . . .  And we cannot forget that the security of Israel will also benefit Palestinians next door."

On Wednesday, we went to press with the August issue of the Jewish VOICE and you should expect to receive your copy of the printed edition beginning Monday. For those interested in seeing the online digital e-dition, please click here.
Last night I joined Jewish Federation of Delaware Past Presidents and our Board of Directors at the beautiful home of Karen Jacobs and Jack Blumenfeld. It was an inspiring evening to be surrounded by community leadership who remain passionate about building and sustaining a vibrant Jewish community.

Later today, I will join Federation's Jewish Community Relations Committee (JCRC) Chair, John Elzufon, as well as several New Castle County Representatives at The Consulate General of Israel to the Mid-Atlantic Region in Philadelphia to meet with Consul General Yaron Sideman and Alex Lipton, Director of Government Affairs and Press.

With the strength of a people and the power of community, we are Improving Our World... TOGETHER.