Last week, a cohort from the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle joined thousands of fellow Jewish leaders in Washington, D.C., at the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) General Assembly (GA). Our Seattle delegation included National Young Leadership Cabinet members, Federation board members, and staff, all united by a shared mission: to address today’s pressing issues facing Jewish communities locally, nationally, and worldwide.
Gathering under the theme of Shaping the Future, this year’s GA featured a roster of keynote speakers who underscored an urgent call for unity and resilience amidst recent crises. “We fight for our hostages. We fight for our people. We fight for our Jewish values. We fight for our Jewish communities,” said Israel President Isaac Herzog, calling for a collective sense of resolve.
The GA gave our Seattle delegation an invaluable opportunity to reflect on how we can contribute to this global effort. Reflecting on this year’s GA, Federation Board Chair Lisa Brashem remarked that it “took on new meaning as our world seems like it has been upside down since October 7 . Gathering together with our own professionals and lay leaders, as well as communities around the country, gave me hope for the future and renewed energy for what is ahead.”
Breakout sessions allowed our team to reconnect and share ideas with other Federation leaders. Topics included antisemitism in academia, philanthropy in organizations, and how the 146 Federations nationwide can continue to strengthen Jewish life after October 7.
One of the most poignant presentations at the GA came during a conversation between Sheryl Sandberg, the founder of Lean In and former COO of Meta, and Julie Platt, Chair of the Jewish Federations of North America Board. Sandberg, who has become a prominent voice for social justice and gender equality, reflected on how her understanding of her Jewish identity has evolved dramatically since the October 7 attacks. “I am female, I am a business leader, I am an American, and I am a Jew,” she said. “And I sit on this stage as a proud Zionist and a proud Jew in a way I wouldn’t have a year and a half ago.”
Sandberg also discussed her documentary, Screams Before Silence, which highlights the horrific sexual violence Hamas terrorists inflicted on women and girls during the attacks. “After October 7, we saw silence from some in the global community about the atrocities committed. We must speak out against this injustice, because rape is never resistance,” she said.
This theme of activism and solidarity was echoed by Bari Weiss, founder of The Free Press, who spoke about the rise of antisemitism in the wake of the October 7th attacks. Weiss, who has been an outspoken advocate for free speech and a staunch defender of Israel, warned the audience about the dangers of allowing anti-Zionism to fester unchecked. “Anti-Zionism is antisemitism, full stop,” she declared. “We need to take the phrase ‘globalize the Intifada’ seriously. It is a call for violence against our community.” Weiss urged those in the room to confront uncomfortable truths, noting, “What this moment requires is the truth, the hard, uncomfortable truth. We need to stand firm in our beliefs and hold our leaders accountable, not just follow them blindly.”
Our Seattle delegation left the GA with renewed purpose, ready to apply the insights gained to strengthen Jewish life in Seattle and advocate for Israel. We are committed to creating impactful programming and supporting Jewish communities both locally and globally.
We invite you to join us for the 2025 General Assembly from November 16-18 in Washington, D.C. Together, we will continue to stand up for our people, build stronger networks, and create lasting change for a resilient, vibrant Jewish future.
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