The holiday of Sukkot, a time of celebration with family and friends, is known as, in the words of our rabbis, Zman Simchateinu “A Time of Our Happiness.” For the last two years, however, that happiness felt hollow. How could we celebrate fully while members of our global Jewish family suffered in the aftermath of October 7th and the devastating Gaza war? How can we gladden our hearts when thousands of our children across California were threatened by antisemitism in their classrooms? Now, after two years, we have hope.
It is a remarkable moment for our people. We thank President Trump for leading the effort to bring an end to the war and return our hostages. We also thank Governor Newsom for signing into law AB 715, the first-in-the-nation bill we’ve relentlessly advocated for that will combat antisemitism in California’s K-12 schools.
We thank you, our community, for mobilizing and advocating with us, and for staying strong and united through the dark times. You supported hostage families and October 7th survivors. You made calls. You wrote letters. You showed up in Washington. You came to Sacramento to testify in front of the California legislature. You are the strength of our Jewish community. And when we, together, put our values into action, we move mountains.
That same strength will be needed as we continue our work rebuilding Israel. As the guns fall silent, what remains is enormous in scope. We will need to support the restoration of communities, businesses, and schools. We will need to rehabilitate the spirit of an Israeli population scarred by terror and trauma. And we will need to set up pathways for Angelenos to visit and volunteer in Israel.
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We are at the beginning of a long road to recovery. We at JFEDLA — with you, our beloved community — have the partnerships, the capacity, and the determination to stand in this moment together. We will prevail. We are one people, with one heart, united in our love for Israel, the Jewish people, and hope for a peaceful future.
Am Yisrael Chai.
Orna Wolens
Chair of the Board
Rabbi Noah Farkas
President & CEO
