Jewish Federation of Cincinnati

Danielle V. Minson — Raising the Bar

Dear friends,

“History doesn’t naturally bend toward justice; it’s up to individuals to shape a better future.”

These words from Bari Weiss framed my key takeaways from this year’s General Assembly (GA) of the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), resonating as we address critical issues: combating antisemitism, enhancing security, supporting Israel, addressing youth mental health, and navigating the “Surge” in Jewish engagement. Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Meta, shared how she ‘woke up to understand my role’ in the Jewish community, reflecting this broader surge of renewed engagement and responsibility.

Stories of Resilience: The Human Impact

At the GA, I witnessed how your donations change lives. We met Ysrael, whose life was transformed by the Back to Work program, funded through our Israel Emergency Relief Fund (IEF) and implemented by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC).

Ysrael, a married father of five, was seriously injured in Gaza and confined to a wheelchair, unsure if he would walk again or support his family. Through JDC’s Back to Work program—which combines training, job placement, and emotional support—he began a challenging recovery. Today, Ysrael uses a cane and has regained his strength and purpose as a father and husband. This program has already helped over 4,000 individuals like Ysrael reintegrate into society.

Advocacy: Building Relationships That Matter

Advocacy is key to ensuring our community’s voice is heard. As Josh Blatt, our board chair, said, “These relationships don’t happen overnight, but they ensure allies are ready when needed.”

Our Cincinnati delegation, joined by Ohio Jewish Communities (OJC) representatives from Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo, and Youngstown, met with Senator-elect Bernie Moreno to discuss combating antisemitism, securing federal security grants, and supporting Israel. We stressed the need to protect these grants, which face potential cuts, and invited him to Cincinnati to explore our coordinated security efforts. Senator-elect Moreno expressed strong support and shared that his first trip as a senator will be to Israel.

We also met Representative-elect David Taylor, who succeeds Congressman Brad Wenstrup in the second district. He listened to our community’s priorities, reinforcing the importance of building relationships with elected officials. Over the past year, our JCRC has engaged with more than 40 policymakers, ensuring our voice is heard in Washington, Columbus, and local councils. This advocacy has delivered results, including support for the Campus Act to combat antisemitism and legislative trips to Israel helping policymakers understand its challenges.

Bringing It Home: The Youth Mental Health Symposium

The themes of resilience and collective action from the GA resonated at last Sunday’s Resilient Minds: Empowering Jewish Youth to Thrive. Co-led by the Federation, the Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati, the Mayerson JCC, Jewish Family Service (JFS), and lay leaders, this inaugural event culminated nearly two years of planning through research, focus groups, and surveys. Brought to life by Jewish Family Service, the symposium equipped over 150 parents, caregivers, and professionals with tools to support the emotional, spiritual, and mental well-being of Jewish youth. Speakers Pamela Rae Schuller and Sophie Riegel earned standing ovations as they shared their personal histories of disability and multiple diagnoses, offering actionable strategies to help teens and young adults thrive.

Looking Ahead

The GA reminded us of the power of collective action and the vital role each of us plays in it. Fundraising serves as the engine that drives these efforts—whether advocating, creating programs, or building resilience—transforming vision into tangible impact. As Bari Weiss said, “History doesn’t naturally bend toward justice; it’s up to individuals to shape a better future.” Sheryl Sandberg echoed this sentiment, reflecting on her renewed commitment: “I woke up to understand my role in supporting our community.” Together, through our collective giving and action, we hold the responsibility to shape what comes next—for Cincinnati and beyond.

Shabbat Shalom,

Danielle V. Minson
CEO
Jewish Federation of Cincinnati
Your Support Matters: jewishcincinnati.org/give

PS: I encourage you to experience two of the GA’s most impactful speeches (in my opinion):
Sheryl Sandberg’s reflections on Jewish identity and leadership: Watch here
Bari Weiss’s call to action for the Jewish future: Watch here

For Reference—The Cincinnati delegation included:

Professionals:

•  Danielle Minson, CEO, Jewish Federation of Cincinnati
•  Felicia Zakem, Chief Planning Officer, Jewish Federation of Cincinnati
•  Jeremy Spiegel, Assistant Director, JCRC

Lay Leaders:

•  Josh Blatt, Board Chair, Jewish Federation of Cincinnati
•  Karen Goodman, VP of Israel & Overseas, Jewish Federation of Cincinnati
•  Ben Schneider, JCRC Board President
•  Ronna Schneider, Community Member
•  Gareth Evans and Rachel Spivak, Cincinnati ChangeMakers. Learn more about JFNA’s ChangeMakers program here.