Federation continues to raise funds to address needs

As I write this column, Tuesday, January 23, marks the 109^th day of captivity for the remaining Israeli hostages held in Gaza. While the fate of the 132 hostages still remains unknown, with Hamas sharing little information on their condition and not allowing access to the Red Cross, it is believed that at least 18 of them are deceased. The freed hostages have documented the horrendous conditions in Gaza – a lack of food, deprivation of daylight, little medical care, and ongoing sexual assault. We will not rest until all are free and accounted for, and reunited with their families in Israel.

Our Federation continues to raise funds for assistance to victims of terror and to address growing needs following the horrific October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. To date, we have raised locally over $477,000 toward Youngstown’s goal of $867,000. If you have not already done so, please help us reach and exceed our community goal by donating to the Israel Crisis Fund. JFNA’s system-wide Israel Emergency Campaign has surpassed $775 million, of which more than $300 million has thus far been allocated to a wide range of humanitarian organizations in Israel.

The 2023 Combined Jewish Appeal Campaign is nearing completion, with over $1.3 million raised to-date, roughly $100,000 more than 2022. This is no small achievement considering the size of our community, coupled with almost half a million dollars raised in the special Israel Campaign. Our Youngstown Jewish community may be smaller in numbers than we were 10, 20, 30, 40, or even 50 years ago, but our impact locally, nationally, internationally, and in Israel has never been bigger. We continue to be the envy of communities much larger than Youngstown, with services reaching so many in the Jewish and general communities. Over the past year, I have detailed many of the offerings sponsored by our Federation and agencies. In 2024, we will spend much time reviewing Federation-wide programs and services in connection with our mission and long-term sustainability. Change is inevitable, and our Federation will be stronger moving forward. 

We welcome as CEO-Designate Lisa Long, currently our Financial Resource Development Director, who will assume my CEO responsibilities, when I retire at the end of 2024 after 39 years. If you haven’t already had the opportunity to meet Lisa, you are in for a treat. She is a highly skilled Jewish professional with over 20 years of non-profit experience, including almost six years with our Federation. I know that our community will be in excellent hands when Lisa takes the helm in 2025. 

In closing, I pray that the hostages are home safely and soon, and that we all have a happy and healthy 2024.

Andy
Andrew Lipkin, Federation CEO