Cathy’s Whim Cathy’s Whim

When I first began my position as CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton, I received a phone call from Peter Wells, who served as CEO of the organization from 1978 until his retirement in 2005. He was in town and asked if he could meet with me. What began as a meeting to provide me with insight and information about the Dayton Jewish community quickly morphed into a very special relationship. Peter wasn’t just a professional resource. He was my mentor and a dear friend. He proved to be a wealth of knowledge, helping me to have a...

It is hard to believe we are only a little over three weeks away from our 2026 Presidents Dinner, which will take place on Sunday, May 17 at the Boonshoft CJCE. The Presidents Dinner honors the legacy of the Federation’s past presidents while inspiring our community with a global message on an intimate level. Attendees also have the opportunity to make a pledge to the 2026 Annual Campaign. Our Chairs for this year’s event are Bernie Rabinowitz and his partner, Elaine Goldberg. Bernie has been a pillar in our Jewish community for many years. He has served on countless boards...

With the continued increase in antisemitism throughout the world, and the recent attack on Temple Israel in Bloomfield, Michigan, we have received some questions about the safety and security of our facility, staff, and the entire Dayton Jewish community. Now, more than ever, safety and security remain our highest priority. Security plays a role not just in event planning, but in our day-to-day operations as well. The Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton takes a proactive approach to safety and security. Our full-time Security Director John Davis, who served over 30 years with the Centerville Police, maintains regular communication with federal,...

When I awoke on Saturday morning, I immediately saw on the news that Israel and the U.S. had launched an attack on Iran. We quickly shared a statement from Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) on our Facebook page. Later in the evening, we received notification from JFNA that they would hold a briefing the following day. Hopefully, many of you received our email notification with that information and were able to take part in the briefing. While normally we are able to share recordings from JFNA, they requested the recording of Sunday’s briefing not be posted or shared publicly....

It’s hard to believe that in just five weeks, Spring will officially be here. The weather over the past month has been, well, let’s just say, interesting. I’m a big fan of snow, but I know I’m probably an exception to the rule. Between the snow and bitter cold temperatures, I’m sure cabin fever has set in for some people. The good news is temperatures are finally in a much more acceptable range, and the snow is slowly melting. If you are ready to get out of the house, the JCC has two events coming up that may be of...

Since 1970, February has also been known as Black History Month. It serves as a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of African Americans throughout history, while also recognizing their struggles for acceptance and equality. Sadly, the Black community still experiences prejudice to this very day. As Jewish people, we too have experienced our own struggles with acceptance and equality. It was not too long ago that Jewish people were banned from living in certain communities or belonging to certain clubs. The latter was even a part of the storyline of S3, EP15 of The Golden Girls. The episode,...

As we stand on the edge of 2026, I can’t help but reflect on the last year. It has been filled with ups and downs for many of us on a personal level, and as a Jewish community. As an organization, the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton and its Agencies have had a very busy year. Here are just a few highlights of what we accomplished in 2025: Since October 7, 2023, we have seen a significant increase in antisemitism throughout the world – including here in Ohio. What became evident in the wake of 10/7 was the need for...

When I awoke on Sunday morning and heard the news about the horrific antisemitic attack at Bondi Beach in Australia, I was immediately overcome with sadness. Chanukah is supposed to be a joyous holiday ~ one where we gather with family and friends, recite special prayers, and enjoy delicious food. And that is what the people who gathered at Bondi Beach were planning to do. Instead, two cowardly terrorists took the lives of 15 innocent people and injured many more ~ all for simply being Jewish. My heart has felt heavy in the subsequent days. It doesn’t matter that the...

Each year, Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) brings together people from across the globe ~ including Jewish communal professionals, lay leaders, and philanthropists ~ for an incredible three-day conference. The General Assembly (GA) focuses on several themes and goals, which include exploring best practices, examining key challenges facing the Jewish community today, and promoting collaboration. This is one of my absolute favorite conferences to attend. I always return home feeling inspired and ready to put the ideas I learned at the conference into action. This year was no different. I, along with three of our staff members and three...

For many of us, November 1st is nothing more than the start of a new month. Some people will be prompted to start making Thanksgiving plans. For others, it serves as a reminder that winter is around the corner. Sadly, this year, November 1st signifies a crucial date on the calendar for millions of people throughout the United States who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to feed their families. This is because the Department of Agriculture has said SNAP benefits will end on Saturday due to the government shutdown. Many people already experience food scarcity. If the...