Dear Friends,
While current events do not leave us with much breathing space, we are committed to continuing our good deeds and want to share with you some pre Passover updates:
JCC Global Welcomes New Leadership
In a heartwarming ceremony attended by CDI Mexico's board members, Sheila Lambert of New York and Monica Kibrit de Snaiderman of Mexico City were officially installed as JCC Global's new President and Chair on March 10th at CDI. The occasion also served as a moment to express heartfelt gratitude to Steve Seiden for his exemplary leadership as JCC Global President during the trying times of COVID, the war in Ukraine, and the war in Gaza. Stay tuned for a special farewell ceremony honoring Menachem Revivi, JCC Global outgoing Chair.
CDI Mexico's 50th Carlos Halpert Jewish Dance Festival: A Dazzling Success!
The Jewish community of Mexico came alive with the passion and energy of dance during the 50th Carlos Halpert Jewish Dance Festival. From March 3 to 10, 2024, an astounding 2,000 dancers aged 3 to 75, representing 100 dance groups, showcased their talents. JCC Global Study Seminar delegates had the privilege of attending the grand finale, along side thousands of community members.
For program highlight photos and video of Bikurim special needs dancing group, please click here.
The First Mark Ramer Chesed Day, Sunday, April 7, 2024
Commemorating the 5th yahrzeit of the untimely death of JCC Global Past President, Dr. Mark Ramer, his family initiated the Mark Ramer Chesed Day. Over 250 men, women, and children came together at the Jewish Center of Atlantic Beach for activities that positively impact others.
Mark believed Chesed is more than writing a check. It meant for him performing an action. To get inspired by 36 suggestions for actions, click here.
IACC and JCC Global: Standing in Solidarity with U.K. Jewish Communities
In a powerful display of support, a 6-member delegation from the Israel Association of Community Centers (IACC), in collaboration with JCC Global, visited the U.K. from March 10-13, 2024.
The delegation, initiated by Dr. Yaacov Maoz from IACC, aimed to express the unwavering solidarity of Israelis with their British Jewish sisters and brothers. Special thanks to JCC Global's U.K. partners, Jewish Care, Brighton and Hove JCC and JW3 London for their warm hospitality.
For an article describing the visit click here.
Last call to register to "Aging with Grace" Hub
Attention JCC professionals and lay leaders who work with seniors: In partnership with Jewish Care, UK, registration will soon be closed for the second cohort of the "Dr. Mark Ramer JCC Global Hub: Aging with Grace".
Preparing Hearts and Minds for Yom Hazikaron and Independence Day 2024
As Israel's Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day) and Independence Day approach, JCCs worldwide and Community Centers in Israel are diligently preparing to commemorate these significant events amidst challenging times. JCC Global invites JCCs to utilize specially curated educational resources, designed to address recent events, by M2: Institute for Experiential Jewish Education.
A Passover Message: Embracing Questions, Hopes, and Dreams
This year's Passover Seder will be like no other. As we recite the Ma Nishtana, we will ask profound questions and share our fears, hopes, and dreams.
While we pray for the safe return of the hostages TODAY, we may still need to leave an empty chair in their honor and all are encouraged to recite a special prayer for their well-being.
The Hartman Institute has published a thought-provoking In Every Generation supplement for the Haggadah, featuring diverse texts and words of wisdom to enrich your Seder discussions. Within its pages, you'll find a poem by Avner Goren, originally written for the Kibbutz Nir Oz 1996 Haggadah and later republished in the Be'eri Kibbutz Haggadah in 1999. Tragically, Avner and his wife, Maya, were killed when Nir Oz was attacked on October 7, leaving behind their adult children, Gal, Asif, Bar, and Dekel.
Lift Up a Glass! Avner Goren (Translated by Ilana Kurshan)
Look at the fruit salad:
Some fruits are sour, and some fruits, sweet
Some are more juicy, some, harder to eat
Some are more smooth, some, rougher-skinned treats.
Each fruit brings its own taste and colors and texture
And when all mixed together, they create something new
Far more than just each fruit alone.
So too with us. We’re made up of all kinds:
Some work the land. Some look to heaven for signs.
Some of us are visionaries. Some, more practical types.
We come in all sizes, all shapes, and all stripes.
Some set out on new paths. Some settle rather than roam
And each brings their own language, customs, and
beliefs from home.
We are an ingathering, a kibbutz (gathering) of
peoples, a multicultural nation,
An immense, breathing, and living creation
Renewing itself with so much innovation.
We lift up a glass to all who returned to our land
To the ingathering of exiles,
To immigration, to integration,
both present and past,
We lift up a glass.
May their memory be a blessing.
“He who makes peace in His heights, may He make peace for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen.”
"עושה שלום במרומיו הוא יעשה שלום עלינו ועל כל ישראל ואמרו, אמן."
Happy Passover
JCC Global Team