Hi! I’m Dustin Hausner, and at Federation’s annual general meeting last week, I had the honor of being elected President of the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Rockland County. Having previously served as a Vice President, Board member, and member of the Community Relations Council before joining the Board, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve in this new role.

Rockland County has been my home for more than 30 years. I grew up here, attended our public schools, and I have had the privilege of volunteering and serving in leadership roles with organizations throughout our community. I take on this responsibility with humility, knowing the scale of both the opportunities before us and the challenges we face. I am committed to listening, learning, and working together across the breadth of our community.

Before looking ahead, I want to express my sincere gratitude to our outgoing Co-Presidents, Marcy Pressman and Evan Karzhevsky, for their leadership, tireless work, and unwavering dedication to our community. The Jewish Federation & Foundation of Rockland County has accomplished great things because of the thousands of leaders, donors, volunteers, professionals, and community members who have invested their time, talent, and generosity over many decades. Their commitment has enabled Federation to adapt, persevere, and serve through changing times, and I look forward to building - with our board and with each of you - on that strong foundation.

One thing I have learned over the years is that many people have heard of Federation but are not always sure what we do. Simply put, the Federation exists to strengthen Jewish life, care for those in need, and bring our community together.

Through the generosity of our donors and partners, we provide grants to local organizations, respond to emergency needs here and in Israel, support programs that enrich Jewish life, create and grow security infrastructure, and help ensure that our community remains vibrant for years to come. I encourage you to read our 2026 Annual Report to learn more about our work, highlighting the many ways Federation serves Rockland County and beyond.

Since October 7, our community has faced extraordinary challenges. We have witnessed a troubling rise in antisemitism, increasing hostility toward those who identify as Zionists, and growing concerns for the safety of Jewish institutions and individuals. These realities remind us that we cannot take our security—or our sense of belonging—for granted.

The Jewish Federation & Foundation of Rockland County has been a leader system-wide across North America, in strengthening community security, working closely with local, county, state, and federal law enforcement and elected officials, as well as our communal partners, to help protect Jewish institutions and the people they serve. As I take on the responsibility of leading the Federation, ensuring the safety and resilience of our community will remain a central priority. I am deeply grateful to our security professionals and our law enforcement partners for their dedication—not only for protecting the Jewish community, but for safeguarding all of Rockland County.

At the same time, security alone is not enough. We must continue building thriving Jewish life, and we must continue building relationships.

Rockland County is one of the most diverse counties in the nation. Whether you live in Clarkstown, Haverstraw, Orangetown, Ramapo, or Stony Point, we are neighbors who share a commitment to family, creating vibrant communities, and a better future.

While we may differ in our backgrounds, beliefs, or perspectives, I believe that when we approach one another with respect, curiosity, and a willingness to listen, we often discover far more that unites us than divides us. That spirit of dialogue and partnership is essential—both within the Jewish community, and beyond it with our many friends and allies throughout Rockland County.

I am grateful for the relationships the Federation has built with Jewish organizations, elected officials, nonprofit partners, houses of worship, civic leaders, and community organizations. Those partnerships have strengthened our community during challenging times, and I look forward to deepening those relationships while building new ones in the years ahead.

Everything I have shared, however, depends on one thing: you.

Federation succeeds because people choose to become involved. We need volunteers who share their talents and passion. We need community members who attend programs, participate in conversations, and help us reach those who may not yet know what Federation does. And to power these initiatives, we need donors whose generosity makes our work possible.

I encourage you to connect with us. Ask questions. Attend an event. Learn more about our work. Explore ways to volunteer or give. Every contribution—whether of time, expertise, or financial support—helps strengthen our community.

Community organizer Ella Baker once said, “Strong people don’t need strong leaders.” I have always understood those words to mean that lasting change comes from engaged communities, not from any one individual. Federation’s future will not be shaped by its President, CEO, or Board alone. It will be shaped by all of us, working together.

I also leave you with the words of the Jewish philosopher Martin Buber: “All real living is meeting.” If you have never connected with Federation, or if it has been some time since we last spoke, I hope you will reach out. I would love the opportunity to meet you, hear your story, and learn how we can build an even stronger Jewish community together.

Thank you for taking the time to read this message, and thank you for all you do - and all that you aspire to do - to strengthen our community through the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Rockland County.

I look forward to serving you and every member of our community.