Rabbi Haviva Horvitz

By Rabbi Haviva Horvitz, Temple Beth Sholom, Middletown

My mission was to write an article for the religion column in the July issue of The Dayton Jewish Observer on any topic of my choosing. It seemed easy enough and I enjoy writing, so this should have been effortless. The only real challenge was finding a topic. Ordinarily, I would write about the holiday that has just passed or the holiday coming up shortly.

However, it is July, and, other than July Fourth, there is no happy, fun holiday on the calendar. My wedding anniversary is in July, but that doesn’t really count as a Jewish holiday. However, it got me to thinking. This is the 100th anniversary of Dayton’s Jewish Federation. Like my wedding anniversary, that is a major milestone.

Milestones. What do they really mean? As we travel down the road, there are periodic markers with numbers on them. We learn that these numbers represent the miles of road. Sometimes they are the miles from a major city. Other times, they are the miles to a major city. Is it to or from the center of the city or simply the city limits? And, are these markers really the best way to describe where we are, where we have been and where we are going?

Geographical milestones can be confusing because they are often not sufficiently specific.

On the other hand, chronological milestones give us a chance to review, to take an account of what has been accomplished and, if necessary, to make changes for the future.

There are a number of times throughout the year that we, as individuals, have experiences that can be considered milestones. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Dec. 31/Jan. 1, birthdays, anniversaries all give each of us a chance to stop, look at where we were a year ago and compare to where we thought we would be by now. They give us the opportunity to determine if where we thought we wanted to be is still where we want to be and whether the methods we are using to get there are still the correct methods.

These time-related milestones offer us an opportunity to make whatever changes we feel are necessary and also give us a chance to congratulate ourselves for what we have accomplished.

There are milestones when we review our personal goals, and milestones when we review our financial goals (tax time, for example). Often, as we evaluate our fiscal achievements, we also consider what we have done over the past year to help others. Help does not have to be limited to monetary assistance; there are other ways to give.

It still surprises me how often others need simple household items and clothing. Additionally, there are places that take hair donations to make wigs for those who, due to illness, lose their own hair.

When we review our personal charitable giving, we need to consider not only the donation itself, but the recipient as well. Each of us has connections with different charities for a variety of reasons. Perhaps someone we know and love has or had a specific illness.

Sometimes we fear being in that situation. Often, the connection can be as simple as having something in common, like being Jewish. That is when the Jewish Federation plays a major role.

As I read through the recent issues of The Dayton Jewish Observer, I notice that there have been many well-written articles about Dayton’s Jewish Federation this year. These articles have detailed many of the wonderful accomplishments over the past 100 years.

On the Dayton Jewish Federation Web site, it clearly states that: “The Jewish Federations of North America represents 157 Jewish Federations and 400 network communities, which raise and distribute more than $3 billion annually for social welfare, social services and educational needs. The Federation movement, collectively among the top 10 charities on the continent, protects and enhances the well-being of Jews worldwide through the values of tikun olam (repairing the world), tzedakah (charity and social justice) and Torah (Jewish learning).”

We have come a long way from the Federation’s original $3 annual membership collected in 1910. However, the goals of Federation are still the same: helping all Jews in need, building a local Jewish community (kehila), and supporting Jewish education.

Our collective support will enable the Dayton Jewish Federation to continue the journey toward its destination: service to the Jewish people.

Thank you, Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton, and thank you to everyone who supports these efforts.