Dear Friends,

In its 1975 “Tzedakah Guidelines,” the New York Board of Jewish Education (BJE) imagined how Jewish social welfare organizations might have partnered to “solve the plight” of Naomi and Ruth. The Book of Ruth, of course, is the centerpiece of the upcoming Shavuot holiday. 

If bound for Israel, the biblical pair “would have turned to the Joint Distribution Committee in Moab for assistance.” Afterward, as the BJE theorized it, the Jewish Agency would fly them to Israel and teach Ruth Hebrew. Alternatively, if Ruth and Naomi chose to migrate to the United States, the BJE asserted that they would have received equally robust support. “Upon arrival on these shores,” they wrote, “Ruth might have availed herself of one of Federation’s 130 social service, health, educational and recreational agencies.”

The BJE’s short “Tzedakah Guidelines” pamphlet brimmed with confidence in the American Jewish communal infrastructure. Today, we are less certain about our community’s capacities. We see discord about the level of attention paid to countering antisemitism and anxiety about the thinness of Jewish educational content. We are also reconsidering long-held beliefs about the effectiveness of professional development and debating how best to build physical spaces that support changing multigenerational social needs. 

No single leader possesses all the answers. However, I am honored to steward an institution that is deeply engaged in facilitating the learning and dialogue required to address these vital questions. 

Gratz depends on our devoted community members to partner with us to carry on these critical conversations. From now until June 14, on the occasion of Gratz’s 126th Commencement, I encourage you to contribute to the Power Up! Gratz campaign, helping us meet a matching challenge to raise $100,000 in scholarship funds. This annual campaign keeps tuition low and supports hundreds of graduate students engaged in sustaining our communities. 

In addition, from now until mid-July, I invite you to join me on a hard hat tour of Gratz College’s new campus in Bala Cynwyd. Learn how you can help shape Gratz's future by participating in the Next Chapter Capital Campaign.

Zev Eleff