A New Year, A New Team & New Possibilities

by Paula Saginaw, UJA Campaign Chair

Rethink Federation.

Rethink the Possibilities.

This sensational new tagline to the logo of United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ, developed by the marketing department, with Shelley Labiner as director, says it all!

We will rethink all the good that Federation does, and ways to do it better.

We will rethink new and creative ways to grow the campaign in order to accomplish more than ever before. The possibilities are endless.

As we approach Rosh Hashana, at this time of new beginnings, it is my honor and privilege to introduce to you my team of Vice Chairs, who will be my partners, along with our extraordinary professionals, in leading the 2011 Campaign.

Major Gifts: Norman Feinstein and Leslie Dannin Rosenthal
Business & Professionals Network: Peter Langerman and Scott Newman
Country Clubs: Kenneth Mandelbaum and Robin Sysler
Women's Philanthropy: Anna Fisch
Young Leadership: Jonathan Liss and Jonathan Ramsfelder
Campaign Social Networking: Dana Lichtenberg

This group of leaders has already begun to examine each area of the campaign to rethink ways to grow our donor base, grow our worker base, and ultimately to increase the dollars that help Jews in need and help build Community.

As we head towards the days of teshuvah — of returning — we focus on those things in our lives that require adjustment, that move us towards meaningful and positive change. As individuals in the Jewish community, we must heed the call to BE the change that we seek.

If we want a kinder world, we must act with kindness. If we want a stronger community, we must act with vigor and commitment. If we want greater interest and engagement in communal life of others in our midst, we must find innovative ways to make our work relevant and important to our people. We cannot afford to rest on any laurels, no matter how successful we may have been in the past.

On a recent trip to Washington, DC, as I walked along the "Mall" I noticed a stone statue of a woman outside the National Archives Building. On the base of the statue read the following plaque:

"What is past is prologue"

We have been blessed with a wealth of strong, caring, passionate members of our MetroWest community who have worked so hard and accomplished so much to build the foundation of all that we are.

It is now time to look ahead at the coming year with new eyes, new minds, and the same caring, passionate hearts as we Rethink Federation and all the Possibilities...

A time of teshuva. We reflect, we wish, we hope, we promise. As caring members of our Jewish community, we are so grateful to be able to help people and to inspire others to do the same. We are so fortunate to be in a position to understand what is needed, and to be able to address those needs. We are humbled by the enormity of the task, but strengthened by the solidarity of purpose as we work together to repair the world — our cherished work of tikkun olam — because we can, and because we are impelled to do so.

My wish for the New Year is simply this: let us be blessed with the ability to continue our work, to do more and reach farther into the world where kindness and light are needed.

Wishing you and your loved ones a healthy, sweet, and peaceful New Year.

L'Shanah Tovah

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