Good Morning.

This past Sunday, Federation beneficiary agency, Jewish Family Services of Delaware, held its REEL Talk Event at the World Cafe Live at the Queen honoring Sonia Schorr Sloan & Gilbert J. Sloan. Congratulations to JFS President Alan Horowitz and CEO Dory Zatuchni as well as the entire event committee.

On Monday, I had the pleasure of meeting Eric Fingerhut, the new CEO of Hillel International and Hillel International Board Chair, Sidney Pertnoy, at a special luncheon with several lay leaders and staff from UD Hillel. Later that evening, The Kristol Center for Jewish Life/Hillel Foundation & Jewish Studies at the University of Delaware celebrated their 20th Anniversary with Keynote Speaker, Abraham Foxman, National Director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). Following the lecture was a special reception at UD Hillel that ended a most memorable day. Our community should take pride in knowing that Jewish life is thriving on the University of Delaware campus. Kol hakavod to UD Hillel President Steve Eidelman and Executive Director, Ronit Sherwin.

More than 25 people attended our Holocaust Education Committee's Interfaith Clergy Trip to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum on Tuesday. This is one of the many wonderful programs that the HEC provides our community. The success of the trip can be surmised by one of the participants, Dr. Inskip Allsop of Middletown SDA Church -- "The truth is that the Holocaust is more than just a Jewish experience. It belongs to all of us and all of us must see ourselves reflected in the different actors of that tragedy -- be it that we tend to be bystanders or perpetrators or rescuers or even victims. And in identifying ourselves and our attitudes decide what we need to change or preserve in order to prevent another such atrocity." We commend Ilene Lipstein for serving as the trip leader, Federation staff Gina Kozicki for organizing the day and HEC Chair, Regina Kerr Alonzo, for her ongoing leadership and dedication. A similar trip for law enforcement professionals is scheduled on November 6th.

On Tuesday afternoon, Federation met with the Wilmington Blue Rocks to discuss and confirm Jewish Heritage Night at Frawley Stadium on Wednesday, June 25, 2014. Stay tuned for more exciting news and information about this special evening that will include Jewish music, food, entertainment and community celebration!

On Wednesday, our Jewish Fund for the Future Investment Committee met to review quarterly earnings. As the endowment arm of the Jewish community, JFF manages total assets of $19.6 million. Special thanks to Suzanne B. Grant, Chair, and the Investment Committee for ensuring the future of Jewish Delaware.

Yesterday, our Facilities Management Board (FMB), under the leadership of Co-Chairs, Ken Kamm and Arnie Caine, met to review active projects and activities. FMB is responsible for overseeing the management of the Weinberg Jewish Community Campus where Federation, the Siegel JCC, Albert Einstein Academy, and Jewish Family Services of Delaware all reside.

Later this morning at 8:30am, Federation's Jewish Community Relations Committee (JCRC) is hosting a Bagels & Briefing with Senator Chris Coons in the Siegel JCC auditorium. This event is free and open to the community so we hope to see you for this informative opportunity. Special thanks to JCRC Chair, John Elzufon, for his ongoing leadership and vision.

On Sunday evening I will join 22 other Delawareans on Federation's Community Journey to Israel. Our group will visit our sister city in Arad, Haifa, Tel Aviv and culminate with the Jewish Federations of North America General Assembly in Jerusalem. I look forward to sharing our experience with you in next week's J-VOICE that will be coming to you directly from Israel!

Shabbat Shalom,