Danielle V. Minson — Raising the Bar
Oct 11 CEO Update: Reflections from Monday: Strength Through Solidarity
Dear friends,
This past Monday, as we gathered to mark the one-year anniversary of October 7th, I was reminded of the power of community. Throughout the evening, I saw familiar faces, shared hugs, and had heartfelt conversations that underscored how deeply connected we are. Each interaction reminded me that, in times of reflection and mourning, it is our unity that strengthens us. The next day, I received a thank-you note from a community member, describing the event as “a hopeful message—‘we will survive.’” Their note, which came with their first-ever gift to our Annual Campaign, was a moving reminder of how the power of community can inspire meaningful action.
Monday night, we witnessed the strength of our collective—rooted in generations of resilience and always looking toward the future with hope. We heard stories that affirmed our values. From our 18-year-old Chaverim—Israeli Emissaries Ron and Naama—who courageously shared their stories of loss on October 7; to the three 80- and 90-plus-year-old Holocaust survivors, who reminded us that being Jewish is not a problem, but a strength.
Recent high school graduates, Ron and Naama shared how the events of October 7th profoundly altered their reality. Ron spoke about the shock and disbelief he felt as friends in his youth movement were forced into hiding, recalling a message: “There are terrorists right above our house; we have no choice but to hide.” He spoke of feeling helpless but also determined to help however he could. Naama described waking up to what should have been a peaceful Saturday, only to be gripped by fear as she sat “motionless in bed, glued to my phone… overwhelmed with uncertainty, helplessness, and fear.” Despite their loss and the chaos around them, both Ron and Naama felt the urgent need to contribute by volunteering and supporting their peers in Israel.
Their words were echoed by the three Holocaust survivors—Gennady Khaskelis, Stanley Slomovits, and Zahava Rendler. Each took a turn reading to us from a letter initially addressed to Jewish college students, urging us all to remain strong in the face of adversity: “We have endured the unimaginable but survived… We have rebuilt our lives, our families, and our communities from the ashes of despair.” They reminded us that “your Jewishness is a source of strength, not weakness,” and that we must continue to support one another and never let the darkness of hatred dim our light.
As we have throughout history, our Jewish community endures and builds anew. As shared on Monday night in Noam Horev’s poem “Cut and Keep,” we are reminded, “Let us not gather only around disasters… Let us remember, even after everything calms down.” It is through our deep, intertwined connections—whether through handwritten notes, shared stories, or meaningful gifts—that we ensure the continued growth and strength of our community for generations to come.
As we approach Yom Kippur, a time of reflection, repentance, and renewal, I know we will carry the strength of these stories with us into the holiest day of the year. Just as Yom Kippur offers us a chance for renewal, so too does our community’s resilience offer hope for the future. This is part of our collective strength.
For those observing, I wish you a meaningful and easy fast.
Shabbat Shalom,
Danielle V. Minson
CEO
Jewish Federation of Cincinnati
Your Support Matters: jewishcincinnati.org/give
PS: If you missed the ceremony or would like to watch it again, you can view the recording of the livestream here.
