By: Diane Sloyer, CEO
Fifteen months have passed since October 7, 2023--a date that shattered our sense of security, upended daily life, and redefined what it means to lead a Jewish community in North America. As CEO of United Jewish Federation, I find myself, like so many of you, profoundly tired. Tired not just in body, but in spirit - a fatigue shaped by the relentless balancing act between professional responsibility, community leadership, and the intimate realities of home life, all while the shadow of war looms over Israel and, by extension, all of us.
Each morning, I wake to the same barrage of headlines: updates from the front, stories of loss, and the ongoing struggle to bring hostages home. My phone pings with messages from colleagues in Israel - some displaced, some grieving, some serving on the front lines. It also pings with the harsh reality of antisemitism and security threats we face on an almost daily basis.
At work, I am called to be a source of strength, and I fear that one day I may not have the necessary strength because, like you and so many of our loved ones in Israel, we are tired! Our Federation’s mission has never felt more urgent: providing trauma support, rebuilding shattered communities, and ensuring that the stories of October 7 - the immense losses, the heroism, the resilience - are not forgotten. We fund trauma counseling, help restore livelihoods, and support organizations that install bomb shelters so children can play in safety. Yet the work is never done. The needs are endless, and the emotional toll is real.
I feel the fatigue in our community, sense the heaviness we all feel, and often struggle to answer questions, because frankly, there are no answers.
And yet, amid exhaustion, I am continually inspired by the will to go on. In Israel, I have seen farmers return to their fields, harvesting potatoes where terror once reigned. I have witnessed communities rallying around the bereaved and volunteers mobilizing to support the displaced. Here at home, our community shows up - at vigils, in fundraising drives, in quiet acts of solidarity.
Recently, as I stood at the Israel Day Festival in Stamford, I watched children laughing, dancing, and playing—an image of pure joy that felt almost defiant in its resilience. Nearby, a powerful program honoring our heroes reminded us that our story is one of perseverance—of bringing light even in the darkest of times. Just weeks ago, we welcomed active-duty Israeli soldiers to our community, and I listened as they spoke with quiet conviction about their unwavering commitment to defend the homeland they love. Their bravery, paired with the laughter of our children and the steadfast resolve in our voices, reaffirms what we already know: the spirit of Israel and the Jewish people is unbreakable.
In the face of exhaustion, we choose resilience. In the face of loss, we choose life. And together, we will continue to walk this long road - tired, yes, but never alone. Am Yisrael Chai!