Shabbat Shalom,
This week, I’ve been thinking about what it means to come from behind—to feel outpaced or outmatched—and still find a way to prevail.
We don’t have to look far for recent come from behind examples. Many of us remember the remarkable comeback by the New England Patriots in Super Bowl fifty-one, overcoming a 28–3 deficit against the Atlanta Falcons to achieve what seemed impossible. And just recently, the UConn Huskies (living in Hartford area for 25 years converted my family to UCONN fans) demonstrated that same resilience, battling back to defeat the Duke Blue Devils in a thrilling victory that reminded us never to count anyone out.
In the Hebrew Bible, one of the most enduring examples of “coming from behind” is the story of David and Goliath. David, a young shepherd with no armor and no battlefield experience, faced a giant who seemed unbeatable. By every conventional measure, David was outmatched. And yet, through courage, faith, and conviction, he prevailed. Being outmatched, or behind, does not mean being defeated. It means we are still “in the game.”
As we reflect on our Jewish Alliance Community Campaign, this message feels especially timely. That’s because we currently find ourselves short of this year’s campaign goal. There is that gap, but it is a gap that is not insurmountable.
What is at stake could not be more important. Reaching our goal means we can continue to allocate critical resources for scholarships to those attending our community day schools, ensuring the next generation remains connected to our heritage and values. It means sustaining programs that support those in need, providing dignity and care to individuals and families facing hardship. And it means continuing to care for our seniors, honoring those who built this community by ensuring they are not alone and have access to the services they deserve.
Like those great comebacks I referred to earlier, success does not come from one moment alone—it will come from all of us, together. Every gift, every commitment, every act of generosity brings us closer to coming from behind and prevailing – reaching our campaign goal.
Shabbat is our weekly reminder to pause, to reflect, and to renew our strength. Let us remember that no matter where we stand today, the outcome is not yet written. Together, we have the power to close the campaign gap—to rise to the moment—and to ensure a vibrant, caring, and resilient Jewish community for all. Thank you to those who have made a commitment to this year's campaign, and thank you to those who will.
Shabbat Shalom,
Harris Chorney
Interim President & CEO
