Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

Shalom Friends,

On behalf of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando, we want to express our best wishes to you and your family for a sweet New Year 5774. According to Jewish tradition, Rosh Hashanah is the birthday of the world, and this is where our calendar begins. On this day, we are expected to conceive a plan, engage in a vision of the future, have ambition and desire to take an active part in the shaping of our future. And as we do on any birthday, we make wishes for the coming year.

Our first wish is to strengthen and bring together our Jewish community. We dream of a day when all our community’s agencies, synagogues, and organizations work toward a shared vision and common goals.

Our second wish is for a deeper connection with Israel and our extended Jewish family around the world. Your support of the Jewish Federation can transform lives across the globe, bringing Jewish experiences to people of all ages, taking care of poor, elderly Jews in Russia, and providing opportunity to at-risk children in Israel. One of our most cherished wishes is that whenever a Jew is in need, anywhere in the world, they can count on Federation to help.

Our next wish is for every member of our community to have an opportunity to participate in Jewish experiences. Your gift to the Federation’s 2014 Shaping the Future Annual Campaign supports programs and institutions in Orlando that build Jewish identity and celebrate Jewish life.

Our last and most ardent wish is for a true and lasting peace for Israel and the whole world.

Today, we celebrate this past year’s achievements and look ahead with confidence and strength. This New Year, help us nurture and sustain our Jewish community. With every life we change, we are shaping the future.

L’Shana Tova UMetukah,

Chairman of the Board Michael Soll and Executive Director Olga Yorish