I often write about the work Federation has done to create a security infrastructure in Rockland, as part of a regional and nationwide network working with Jewish institutions, law enforcement, and government, training and leveraging thousands of volunteers, consulting and accessing tens of millions of dollars in non-profit security grants, providing short term funding for security guards, and changing the way our community thinks about security.

We at Federation are very proud of this work and we are confident that all elements of our Jewish community will step up to build and maintain the funding necessary for it to continue and grow.

This infrastructure provides for the gates and walls that keep our synagogues, schools, camps and other institutions more secure. These are the places where our Jewish life flourishes. These are the foundations upon which Jewish pride is constructed.

• These are the vibrant, growing and precious programs where our children will experience a Purim masquerade, a visit to a matza bakery for Passover, or a visit to a sukkah.
• They are the PJ library books that come to 500 Rockland children each month.
• They are the Midreshet classes taught through Federation in sessions and classes throughout the year.
• They are the year-round shabbat and holiday services, the life cycle observances and celebrations, and education opportunities for all ages at our incredible synagogues, led by our wise and inspiring educators and rabbis.
• They are the shabbat programs every Friday at JCC camps and Jewish programming at dozens more across the county.
• They are the schools educating thousands of Jewish children, both formally and informally, across Rockland.
• hey are the communal gatherings and observances, when dozens come to hear a speaker, hundreds come to a concert, and thousands come to a rally, march, or celebration.

I’m proud of the role Federation plays in all of these facets of Jewish life, whether creating and delivering them ourselves, funding the agencies providing them, or working to ensure the security of the locations and of those participating. I’m grateful for our expert Director of Security and our vigilant security partners at the Community Security Initiative of JCRC/New York, our regional partners at the Jewish Security Alliance, and national partners at the Secure Communities Network.

We don’t focus on security for its own sake. We do so with the knowledge that Jewish life needs secure spaces to thrive; Jewish children need safe places to play and grow; and Jews must have opportunities to express their pride and love for their people and their faith without fear.

Today, you have an opportunity to be a part of this critical dynamic - protecting the flourishing Jewish life we cherish. Before year-end, you can make a contribution that will directly impact the security of our community and the breadth of diverse programming that sustains our Jewish life. If you’ve already made a contribution, please accept our gratitude. If you have not yet had an opportunity, now is the time! You can make a contribution below, or be in touch with our Director of Operations, Barry Kanarek, to make a donation of stock and impact your 2025 tax responsibilities.