The following d’var torah was presented at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s All-Staff meeting on September 24, 2015.

In just two short days, over 300 people have crowded into the intimate Roe Green Gallery at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland's Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Building to see the opening of "Amnon's Workshop"; a photographic documentary featuring the work of celebrated Cleveland photographer, Daniel Levin, M.F.A.

The Days of Awe, the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, are a time of deep personal reflection. Organizationally I take the same responsibility. Is the Federation living up to its stated mission and values? Are we conducting our business in an ethical manner? How are we helping the community in a time of deeply felt differences – on the political front, on the religious front, on foreign and domestic social policies?

Jacob and Charlie have been giving tzedakah (charity) for as long as they can remember. Their mom, Heather, puts a tzedakah box on the table every Shabbat and they happily share their nickels and dimes. As little kids, they loved hearing a little plunk as the coins fell through the slit in the box. For years now, they know, because their mom tells them, that each little plunk is a mitzvah (good deed) that they can feel proud of.

Growing up in Columbus, my family was not nearly as involved in our Jewish community as I am today.

"Today I have courage,” Sima Goldrich told me. She is an ultra-Orthodox (haaredi) woman who is learning about women’s health – her own health – through a program funded by the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Campaign for Jewish Needs.

Little ones and their families learned all about Rosh Hashanah during an interfaith event co-sponsored by jHUB and Park Synagogue in Cleveland Heights and Pepper Pike. At “Heading into the High Holidays – Let’s Get Ready to Celebrate,” held last month at Horseshoe Lake Pavilion in Shaker Heights, families gathered for Rosh Hashanah activities including singing, story time and a trip to the lake.

Little ones and their families learned all about Rosh Hashanah during an interfaith event co-sponsored by jHUB and Park Synagogue in Cleveland Heights and Pepper Pike. At “Heading into the High Holidays – Let’s Get Ready to Celebrate,” held last month at Horseshoe Lake Pavilion in Shaker Heights, families gathered for Rosh Hashanah activities including singing, story time and a trip to the lake.