Lately, it feels like we’re not just moving through time—we’re shaping it. The air is warming, birds are chirping—and in our community, there’s been a different kind of energy: focused, reflective.
Listening to Our Overseas Partners
Our partners from American Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI)—met with our community—donors, lay leaders, and staff. They spoke plainly about the front lines of Israel to the battles of Ukraine—of children shaken by trauma, families displaced, and small businesses hanging by threads of debt and hope.
Take Abed, a young boy from a Druze village. After his uncle was killed in Gaza, he couldn’t bring himself to return to school. But with the help of a mentor—funded by our Israel Emergency Fund through Youth Futures—he created a memorial. And in doing so, he found his way back. His mentor’s supervisor put it best: “We came out stronger ourselves.”
A Circle of Leadership
At the Cincinnati Ballet, nearly 100 women gathered for our Lion of Judah luncheon. Together, they contributed more than $1.2 million this year to support our community. We watched a rehearsal of Our Story, a ballet that bears witness through movement—drawing on survivor testimony to create an embodied memory of the Holocaust. Choreographer David Morse reminded us that art can carry what words cannot.
“The music never fully resolves,” he said.
“And maybe that’s where we are now.”
The Arc of the Yoms
We began the week with Yom HaShoah honoring six million lost and reaffirming our commitment to confronting hate in all forms. Then on Wednesday, we marked Yom HaZikaron through an immersive memorial inspired by the Israeli project Soon We Will Become a Song.
We remembered the 15 young women of Nahal Oz z"l—unarmed IDF lookouts stationed near the Gaza border—as a collective chorus, then stepped into the lives of fallen Israeli soldiers—some with ties to our community—through music, letters, and photos. We were honored to host Moran Hammer from Kibbutz Carmia, part of a new partnership we’ve formed since October 7. He shared the story of his close friend, Major Or Yosef Ran z”l, who was killed defending families in Kfar Aza.
Among those remembered:
Major Or Yosef Ran z”l, who helped rescue families in Kfar Aza before he was killed in combat.
Yuval Shoham z”l, who served as a combat soldier and was the cousin of Ilan Goldman, a member of our team.
Aner Shapira z”l, who died deflecting grenades to save lives at the Nova music festival.
We concluded with The Tamari Project, a musical tribute to Tamar Kedem Siman Tov z”l and her family. A beloved music teacher, Tamar’s spirit lives on through songs written in her memory—a reminder that even in loss, love echoes.
Yesterday, we moved from mourning to celebration with Yom HaAtzmaut—Israel’s Independence Day. Our community assembled Wings of Hope, inspired by the original at Kibbutz Kfar Aza and the Kutz family, murdered on October 7. Wooden wings, built by Mark Barsman, past JCRC Chair, became the base for toys donated by families—transformed into colorful feathers. You’ll soon be able to visit the wings at the Mayerson JCC, just outside the gym.
A Future Worth Carrying
Time doesn’t pause. It moves us forward—one step, one season at a time. I hope you’ll join me at our 129th Annual Meeting on May 21. [Register here] Together, we’ll honor those who’ve led us, reflect on how far we’ve come, and recommit to the future we’re building—one we carry forward, together.
Warmly,
Danielle V. Minson
CEO
Jewish Federation of Cincinnati
Your Support Matters: jewishcincinnati.org/give
PS: We are thankful that wildfires in the Jerusalem corridor are under control. Jewish Federations of North America are working with our partners on the ground to assess the damage and determine what support may be needed in the coming days. Already, your support is at work—helping fund a mobile command center assisting the Israel Fire Service in managing civilian needs. We’re praying for everyone’s safety.