Dear Friends,
The last two months have been trying and emotional times for us and for Jews everywhere. As we mourned the horrific attacks on Israel on October 7th, we have turned to each other and to our Jewish community, the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center, for comfort, for support and for a place where we can gather together as proud Jews and friends and family of Jews, to celebrate our heritage and invest in our future.
And so it is with feelings of great connection, solidarity, and hope in the future that we turn to you to launch our Annual Appeal for 2023-2024.
The Hebrew Center has been there for all of us through times of joy and times of mourning.
We are a place for all ages. We take pride in our next generation, the young children in our Hebrew School whose art is all along our walls, and our high school and college students who have shared with us their experience as young Jews at this time.
We are a place of learning offering adult education classes on Torah, antisemitism, as well as Jewish themes in modern literature. Our Summer Institute Lectures are a highlight of the year and attract hundreds of people throughout the season. And our year-round programming, including summer films, guest speakers, and social action events create a culturally rich Jewish center every month of the year.
We are a place of celebration, song and prayer. Our beach services nurture our souls. Our Holiday services are filled with joyous music, heartfelt prayer, and time to sit together and make new friends over a great holiday or Shabbat meal.
We are a place that acts on our prophetic values, bringing together people and different faith communities from all around the Island to address racism and antisemitism, reproductive rights for all, and climate change and its impact globally and locally on the Island.
And we are a place that welcomes all religious and political perspectives, striving to model a truly diverse community in which we can listen to and learn from each other.
The Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center is your Jewish home on the Island. And it is also a Jewish home for the Island, no matter what background or community you are from.
It is you who make this possible.
Your generosity of spirit has strengthened us throughout the year. It has made possible a thriving, growing and caring Jewish community on our beloved Island.
Last year with your help, we were able to raise $150,000 that made this rich program possible and accessible to all. This year, we have tried to hold even more gatherings to allow people to enjoy Shabbat dinners and lunches together and meet the needs of the moment.
Together, we will sustain our Hebrew Center as a meaningful
part of our lives today and for future generations.
L’Dor V’Dor – from generation to generation.
Your support and generosity are the bedrock
of our community. All donations are a blessing.
With Hope and Peace, B’virkat Shalom
Caryn Broitman, Rabbi
Robert Herman, DMD, President
Sally Cohn, Development
