Cathy’s Whim Cathy’s Whim

When I heard that Dave Chappelle was hosting Saturday Night Live (SNL), I had some apprehension. Dave Chappelle is known for having very strong commentary on current events. So, I figured his monologue would most likely be filled with references to Kanye West, Kyrie Irving, and antisemitism. From the first comment Dave Chappelle made on SNL, I realized my concern was valid. What could have been funny references were littered with overt and underhanded words supporting antisemitism and the stereotypes we face on a daily basis. On a personal level, it made me very uncomfortable. I was disappointed that in...

Earlier this week, I traveled to Chicago for the General Assembly (GA). The GA brings together Federation leaders from across North American and Israeli Jewish communities to explore complex issues facing the Jewish people. This annual conference (which had taken a COVID-19 break) also provides attendees with the opportunity to share the communal agenda for the year ahead. While we discussed numerous topics, one issue came up time and time again, and that is the scourge of antisemitism. As we are all aware, antisemitism has been on the rise and is appearing more often in everyday life. Just this past...

On October 27, 2018, a gunman opened fire on the Tree of Life Synagogue, killing 11 innocent people. As we approach the four-year anniversary of this tragic event, we still continue to see an increase in antisemitism and acts of hate across the country. Just over the past week, the news has been filled with stories about Kanye West’s recent antisemitic rants. Closer to home, the sukkah at Miami University in Oxford was damaged when three young men hopped Hillel’s fence and threw it to the ground. These are just two examples of the continued antisemitism we face today. While...

I recently returned home from a Partnership2Gether (P2G) Summit to Budapest. Over 90 people from 15 different communities in the U.S., Western Galilee in Israel, and Budapest came together for a wonderful week of learning. We even had a few guests join us from Poland. While the trip didn’t go exactly as planned (more about that later), I wanted to share with you some highlights. Here is a small recap of my travels. One of the first things I always notice when leaving the U.S. is that Judaism looks very different abroad. This was so evident when I arrived in...

Last night, the Jewish Community Relations Council presented “When Does Life Begin: Jewish Perspectives.” It was an amazing program. We had 88 participants, with all but two people staying on the Zoom until the end. The community was enthralled. The event explored what our teachings tell us about when life begins. Speakers included Rabbi Aubrey L. Glazer, PhD, Beth Abraham Synagogue; Rabbi Nochum Mangel, Chabad of Greater Dayton; Rabbi Karen Bodney-Halasz, Temple Israel; and Bonnie Beaman Rice, Retired Magistrate. The event was moderated by Marcy L. Paul PhD. The speakers had incredibly interesting resources which to rely on for a...

As I see things, my life as a Jew has an incredible blueprint for living that stems from the teachings of the Torah and our great rabbis over the ages. I learn something meaningful and new every time I engage in Jewish study. So, what does Jewish tradition say about a question that has been at the forefront of the news this year: When does human life begin? We will discuss this important topic on Thursday, September 1st at 7 p.m. via Zoom. “JCRC Community Conversations ~ When Does Life Begin: Jewish Perspectives” will explore what our teachings tell us...

If you attended our Annual Meeting this past Wednesday, you may have seen a new face in the crowd. We are proud to announce our newest staff member, Chen Shterenbach, Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) Senior Director. Chen grew up in a moshav/village in Israel, surrounded by his family on their small chicken farm. Chen earned his B.A. and M.B.A. in business while in Israel, and an M.A. from Brandeis University, where he specialized in teaching languages and developing curriculum. If you see Chen, please stop and introduce yourself. We look forward to his work with JCRC, including programs combatting antisemitism....

While our world is still dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been fortunate to resume some of our pre-COVID activities. One of these activities is our Annual Meeting. We held modified meetings in 2020 and 2021, however there is something very special about gathering together as a community to install new board members and celebrate the dedication and achievements of our lay leaders. Please click here for the 2022-2023 JFGD Board slate. I am delighted that we are resuming our Annual Meeting for 2022. This year’s meeting will take place this Wednesday, August 17th beginning at 5:30pm at the...

Over the past year, I have mentioned in a few WHIMS how we as an organization faced some staff turnover during the months following the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Much of this was due to retirements and career changes. What I didn’t mention in those WHIMS was the fact that a good percentage of our employees have been with us for many years. As we prepare for this year’s annual meeting, I am amazed to see the number of people who have been with us for 10, 15, 20, and even 25 years. This year, we have four wonderful...