This week’s Torah portion, Lech Lecha, symbolizes our people’s value in going to Israel. The reality is that we cannot all go to Israel, and instead we are spread out over the four corners of the world. This makes our challenge one of staying united, supporting each other, and creating global connections despite the distances separating us.

In the Haftorah of Lech Lecha (Isaiah 41), I have found one of the most beautiful verses, which reflects this Arvut Hadadit (mutual responsibility):

אִישׁ אֶת רֵעֵהוּ יַעְזֹרוּ וּלְאָחִיו יֹאמַר חֲזָק
Each helps the other and says to his brother, “Be strong!”

As we commemorate this week the twentieth anniversary of the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, Israel is facing yet another wave of brutal terror. And once again, the delicate fabric of Israeli society is threatened.

Enhancing our global connections with Israel and overseas communities is essential, now more than ever. We need to be strong and strengthen each other. Please join our Global Connections initiative on November 2. Go to www.jfedgmw.org/global-connections for more information.

To read more details about Global Connections, click here. To read an article about the restructuring of the department in the New Jersey Jewish News, click here.

Amir     עמיר