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Flooding in Colorado
Colorado is suffering from unprecedented flooding that has swept through 15 counties, killing five and displacing thousands. So far, more than 1,500 people are missing in the flooding, which has wiped out roads and bridges and destroyed or damaged thousands of homes, businesses and institutions. The Jewish community has not been spared from this disaster.
colorado flooding
An aerial view of the flooding in Colorado

AJFCA member agency, Jewish Family Services of Colorado, through its Boulder office has been active in assisting flood victims. It is estimated that 30-40% of the Jewish community of Boulder has been affected by the flood.

In response to this tragedy, the Emergency Committee of the Jewish Federations of North America, of which AJFCA is a member has provided $50,000 in emergency aid to the Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado, which is taking the lead in assessing needs and distributing funds and supplies throughout the community.  The Jewish Federations of North America has opened a mailbox to collect donations; one hundred percent of which will go toward the Allied Jewish Federation's relief effort. Click here to donate online.
Request for 2014 AJFCA Workshop Proposals - DUE Wednesday, September 25th - 1 Week Left to Submit
The 2014 AJFCA & IAJVS Annual Conference is a two and a half day interactive and informative experience for professional and lay leaders from AJFCA and IAJVS member agencies throughout North America and Israel. Agency leaders share their common experiences in leading Jewish family service and vocational agencies in their communities and learn together interesting and innovative ideas from the field. 
 
AJFCA is seeking workshop proposals that will enhance the conference theme:  Inspiring Creativity in a Changing World by challenging attendees to examine current practices and adapt to compete today and in the future. The Conference will have five areas of focus:
  • Agency Operationsajfca logo-resized
  • Clinical Programming
  • Fund Development & Marketing
  • Board Leadership
  • Volunteer/Young Adult Engagement

Prior to submitting, please carefully review the RFP Guidelines. Click here to access the Workshop Proposal Form. Please complete Workshop Proposal Forms by Wednesday, September 25th. If you have any questions, please email Sandra Rosenbaum. 

Happy Sukkot from AJFCA
One of my earliest memories of Jewish holidays is from Sukkot. I can remember being part of a group of small children being led down a narrow walkway that ran along the side of the Synagogue to a space behind the building, where we entered this hut-like structure hung with fruits and decorations. I had the sense that this was a special place, and the sweet fruit and other treats we were given only confirmed this for me.

We learn that Sukkot is one of the three major festivals of the Jewish calendar and has its origins in the Torah. When first mentioned, we read that the temporary dwellings of Sukkot commemorate the dwellings our ancestors experienced during the time of the exodus from Egypt. In Deuteronomy, the meaning of Sukkot is expanded to broaden the significance of the festival.  "You shall rejoice in your festival, with yousukkotr son and daughter, your male and female slave, the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow in your communities." Deut. 16:14. It is a time to celebrate with family, but also with the broader community, particularly the stranger and those who may be in need. It is important that everyone be given the opportunity to fully participate in the tradition and the expression of thanks that permeate Sukkot.

As a child, I had a sense of the wonder of Sukkot when I entered the Sukkah, of being a part of something grand and welcoming. It is this same sense that our agencies and all of our Jewish communal institutions seek to transmit to our clients and our constituents. All are welcome. All are part of the community.  All may feel the sense of possibility as we peer through the roof of the Sukkah into the heavens above.

Chag Sukkot Sameach,
Lee