Dear Friends,

Even as we approach Rosh Hashanah, we are still basking in the glow of our recent Annual General Meeting which brought a close to the celebration of our 150th anniversary year. We look forward to the future with confidence and hope. Why? Because over the years we have proven ourselves to be a nimble and responsive organization. Because over the years we have worked hard at relationship building, at forming alliances and at establishing new collaborations. Because all these years later we enjoy a network of partners, with whom we are deeply invested. We have developed significant partnerships with close to 500 volunteers, with a highly engaged Board of Directors, with 110 devoted staff members and with numerous individual donors, government agencies, private foundations, and public and private institutions. And together we have had an impact on thousands and thousands of lives every year!

And with an eye towards future partners and friends, we have launched a new fundraising program aimed at teaching our kids about philanthropy via a website called ECHOage. This is an online site that was conceived for kids’ birthday parties. The child selects a registered charity and donates 50% of his/her gifts to that charity. It is simple, effective and educational. Ometz is one of the listed charities. What a terrific way to teach our kids early on what our community leaders understood instinctively 150 years ago!

Shana Tova!

Gail & Howard