The Jofa Weekly, 11/3/22: Divrei Torah by Women, Jofa at the GA, Election Day, Abortion Hotline, Hadar's Project Zug

The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), the umbrella for 146 independent Federations and a network of 300 smaller communities across the continent, seeks to protect and enhance the well-being of Jews worldwide, through meaningful contributions to community, Israel, and civil society.

Highlights of Jofa's participation in the 2022 JFNA General Assembly, held in Chicago earlier this week, include:

Rabbanit Dasi Fruchter, Spiritual Leader of the South Philadelphia Shtiebel, and Jofa Devorah Scholar, led an important conversation around the future of synagogue life in the post-pandemic era. She provided wise, universal, and timeless advice on creating a positive sense of community, both within and among, the congregations in a community. (See the Facebook post here.)

There was a special session for JFNA's J.E.D.I. Initiative for Jewish Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, which supports the Jewish communal ecosystem in creating a culture of belonging for all Jews and their loved ones, while building bridges across socially and culturally diverse communities. Jofa is proud to serve on the JEDI advisory committee, which has identified 10 identity groups from which Jewish Federations aim to increase both lay and professional representation. This inclusive leadership pipeline is achievable by building a community network of support, and empowering and strengthening leadership and organizations that serve these identity groups. (See the Facebook post here.)

Jofa Vice Chair, and Micah Philanthropies President, Ann Pava, joined Erika Rudin-Luria (President of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland) and Rabbis Ari Berman (President of Yeshiva University) and Moshe Hauer (Executive Vice President of the Orthodox Union) to discuss ways to bridge the divide between Orthodox and secular communities. Pava spoke passionately about supporting Orthodox women’s leadership development, and spaces that benefit from Orthodox participation. (See the F acebook post here.)

Pictured above, from left to right: Suzanne Doft, Board Member, JFNA; Ann Pava, Vice Chair, Jofa, and President, Micah Philanthropies; Erika Rudin-Luria, President, Jewish Federation of Cleveland; Rabbi Ari Berman, President, Yeshiva University, and Rabbi Moshe Hauer, Executive Vice President, Orthodox Union.

Election Day is this Tuesday, November 8!

Prepare to Vote!

Remember to Make Your Voice Heard

by Casting Your Vote on Election Day:

this Tuesday, November 8!

Be prepared by:

confirming your voter registration;
making sure you have the proper identification;
checking your polling location and hours;
looking up your ballot candidates and issues,
and making a plan to ensure that you can cast your vote on or by Election Day.

In some states, you can still register online or in person until Election Day –

so if you haven’t yet done so, it may not be too late!

There are also several nonpartisan websites

that can help you look up the info you need to be prepared, including:

The National Association of Secretaries of State's "Can I Vote" page at:

Can I Vote | NASS.

National Abortion Hotline

As part of its Rivka Isaacs S.A.F.E. Plan Abortion Access Resource Network, Jofa is pleased to partner with the National Abortion Federation (NAF), which represents, serves, and supports abortion providers

in delivering patient-centered, evidence-based care.

NAF is dedicated to ensuring that individuals have the information and resources they need, when they seek to terminate a pregnancy.

NAF's recently renamed National Abortion Hotline is the nation’s largest multi-lingual, 24/7 abortion assistance hotline. It has operated since 1978, helping anyone seeking abortion care in any state. To date in 2022, the Hotline has helped fund more than 70,000 abortion procedures.

By calling the National Abortion Hotline, people can get information on the providers nearest to them, travel assistance, and funding to help pay for care.

For complete information on NAF's National Abortion Hotline

and how to access it, please visit: NAF National Abortion Hotline

For more information on the Jofa S.A.F.E. Plan, please visit:

Jofa S.A.F.E. Plan Abortion Access Information Home Page

To contribute to the Jofa S.A.F.E. Plan, and/or Jofa S.A.F.E. Abortion Fund, please visit: Jofa S.A.F.E. Plan and Abortion Fund

Hadar's Project Zug Upcoming Fall Classes

It’s a new year, filled with new Torah learning opportunities!

Hadar's Project Zug is here to help you get a head start

on your Rosh Hashanah resolutions!

Registration is now open for

Hadar's Project Zug Fall Learning Cycle.

Choose from dozens of courses,

including the new offering from Rabbi Yitz Greenberg, "The Triumph of Life,"

exploring the most essential elements of his decades-long work

investigating the value of human life and our relationship to G-d.

Through passages from traditional Jewish texts and excerpts from his upcoming book, the course will explore the purposes of creation, Torah, and our selves—as individuals and as a people—in bringing G-d’s vision to life.

Visit hadar.org to create an account and register for a course

by November 11, and Hadar will provides the rest:

a havruta; course materials featuring an inspiring educator,

and a springboard for transformative conversation.

You can enroll in a course with your own havruta, or tell Hadar a bit about yourself when you register, and they'll match you with someone new.

Let's start learning together!

If you would like to

honor, remember, or recognize someone,

appreciate Jofa's resources,

or support Jofa's important work,

please consider making a contribution by clicking here.

Wishing everyone a Shabbat Shalom!

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