From the Desk of the President

As we approach the dog days of summer, your Federation Board and staff are busy planning for the 2009 Campaign and the 2008-09 community events. We have a very exciting year to look forward to. You will be receiving all of the details in future issues of the Jewish Community News. We need your participation.

I would like to take this opportunity, as last year’s Campaign Vice President, to thank all of you who participated in the 2008 Campaign. Our goal of $3,000,000 was reached and we have surpassed it. As of the writing of this article, we have
raised $3,023,021 and more pledges are coming into the office every day. This does not include the over $20,000 that the Tribute program has raised. A heartfelt thank you to all the donors to the General Campaign, Mother to Another and the Men and Women’s events at Tamarisk Country Club. In future issues, we will have articles highlighting the agencies who are the beneficiaries of our allocations because of your generosity.

Often people approach me and say, “I would have become involved in Federation but no one has ever asked.” I would like to give an example of someone who decided not to wait to be asked but called our Federation and said, “I’m new in town. What can I do?”

That person was Arnie Gillman. Well, Arnie Gillman had been the chair of the Valley Alliance Super Sunday in Los Angeles. Because we wanted to expand our phon-a-thon, this was the perfect opportunity for us to take advantage of his
expertise and for him to get to know us. He came to us with enthusiasm and new ideas. No job was too small. The result: Arnie was nominated to the 2008-09 Federation Board and became a new Board member in May; and he has accepted the responsibility of Chair of the 2009 Super Week. When he calls for volunteers, join him and catch his enthusiasm. It is a great opportunity to help us with the Campaign and to get to meet new people.

I would like to thank two very special people, Barbara and Bernie Fromm, who led the Federation Mission to Israel in May. The participants had the opportunity to see Israel, many for the first time, and they expressed the feeling that this was
a life changing experience.

This is part of a note from Barbara and Bernie expressing their feelings for the mission and Israel: “It was our pleasure to be involved with the mission and to see the participants enriched on many levels. Our passion for Israel is rich and grows with every passing day. As a couple, we share this commitment, and have instilled this important set of values in our family. Our vision of Israel is a symbol of strength and accomplishment unequalled in this world.”

This is just an example of the people who are involved in Federation. Join us this year and make a difference not only in your life but also in the lives of others.
 

The broadest and maybe the most meaningful
definition of volunteering:
Doing more than you have to because you want to,
in a cause you consider good.

Ivan Scheier