Cathy’s Whim Cathy’s Whim

Earlier this month, JCC Executive Director Marc Jacob and I traveled to Massachusetts to attend a special conference, titled “Navigating Israel and the Rise of Antisemitism.” The sessions offered at the conference gave us a detailed glimpse into the issues currently plaguing the worldwide Jewish community. We heard from several guest speakers who spoke on topics such as the historical roots of antisemitism, Jewish hatred on college campuses, and ways that we as Jewish people can advocate for our community. One speaker in particular at the conference provided me with hope and inspiration. Darius Jones, Founder and President of the...

It is critical that our American Jewish voices be heard. Be a part of history. According to the American Zionist Movement website, “Between March 10 and May 4, 2025, American Jews will vote for their delegates to the 39th World Zionist Congress, the ‘parliament of the Jewish people,’ which will convene in Jerusalem in October 2025. Voting in the election is the most powerful opportunity to have your voice heard in Israel, make an impact in Jewish communities worldwide, and stand up for Zionism. The representatives who are elected — with one-third of them coming from the United States — will make key decisions...

While the WHIM stands for “What Inspires Me,” the source of the inspiration comes from a multitude of different places. Sometimes, it is my own personal experiences that relate to the work we are doing at the Jewish Federation. Other times, I am inspired when someone shares their perspective. At the culmination of this week, I can only say that I was at a loss for words. My heart is broken and searching for that light of hope. Howie Beigelman, President and CEO of Ohio Jewish Communities, shared his sorrow in the first message below, and Evan Bernstein, Vice President...

As a child, I attended Sunday school, went through confirmation, and spent my summers at Jewish camp. In my young adulthood, I traveled to Israel, and eventually lived there and became an Israeli citizen. And subsequently, I’ve spent the past 30 years as a Jewish communal professional. Throughout all of these life experiences, I learned about Israel and Zionism. However, it wasn’t until I pursued my Masters in Jewish Professional Studies that I delved deeper into the history of Zionism. I learned, in greater detail, about Israel’s rich history and the conflicts surrounding its formation. Throughout my studies, I read...

Feedback is important as the CEO of the Federation, I am often the first person to receive feedback for our programs…

New report on antisemitism earlier this month, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and Tel Aviv University published the…

As a child, I went through a phase where I wanted to be a ballerina. I was in awe of their poise, beauty, and grace. My…

We have all heard the phrase, “There is more to the story.” Oftentimes, the stories we see in the news and online give us an…

Antisemitism has long been an issue in our world. It seemed, at least for a short time, that things were moving in the…