May the Light of Hanukkah dispel the dark days of 2025 and illuminate our work in 2026.
Friends, as this secular year comes to a close and we, as Jews, find ourselves in challenging and disturbing times, I am writing to keep you updated, informed, and motivated to continue bringing the light from Hannukkah into 2026.
As your State Organizer, I have been traveling since early November across our state, visiting with several of you, and then to DC to stand in solidarity with hundreds of Reform Jews as we recommitted to our work and then brought our light to the halls of Congress.
The first week in November, many of you were inspired by our CEO, Rabbi Jonah Pesner, as he delivered an inspiring program at Temple Emmanuel in Sarasota, he then learned with and from several clergy in Tampa. After Jonah's visit I traveled to several congregations in South Florida to witness Interfaith Thanksgiving Vigil's, meetings with congregational teams and moments of joy celebrating Shabbat in Wellington.
My lessons are the following and I look forward to working together in 2026.
That we are stronger and more powerful when we work across faith denominations and raise our moral voices together to support the neighbors in our communities.
So many of your congregations are ready to visit Tallahessee in January 21,and 22 and we have a strong partner with the Interfaith Alliance, more to come about logistics in the coming weeks.
We have communities who are ready to focus on investing in deeper relationships and partnerships with our local school boards. We will work to ensure that the children in our communities across Florida are safe from ICE separating their families and deportations.
Wishing you and yours Peace, Light and Joy and a Happy Hanukkah.
