Shabbat Shalom,

This week, I’ve been thinking a great deal about change—how we respond to it, how we embrace it, and how it shapes us as individuals, as a community and here at the Jewish Alliance. Some people thrive on change. They are energized by new ideas and fresh possibilities. Others find change more difficult, even unsettling, as it asks us to move away from what is familiar. Both reactions are human, and both are part of the strength of our Jewish community.

After all, our Jewish story is a story of change. From Abraham’s journey into the unknown, to the Israelites’ transformation from slavery to freedom, we are reminded that change and renewal require courage. Change is not something to fear—it is something that allows us to evolve, to create, and to remain vibrant across generations.

Sometimes, change shows up in more personal ways as well: we may move to a new place (in or out of state), shift our perspectives, or reconsider where our philanthropic dollars can have the greatest impact. But no matter how much changes—whether it is our geographic location, our giving priorities, or even our day-to-day lives—it is essential that we remain grounded in what does not change.

The Jewish Alliance, and the Jewish Federation before it, represents something enduring. It represents our collective responsibility to care for one another, to support the vulnerable, to strengthen Jewish life, and to ensure that our values continue to guide us into the future. It is a reflection of kehilla—community—and the understanding that we are stronger together than we are alone. Those core values remain constant, no matter how much change occurs in our lives.

When we give, when we participate, when we stay connected to Jewish life—no matter where we are—we are affirming that commitment. We are saying that Jewish life in Rhode Island matters, that our shared future matters, and that we each have a role to play in sustaining it.

As we enter Shabbat, may we be open to new ideas and new paths forward, and always remember what anchors us to Rhode Island—our community, our responsibility to one another, and the enduring mission of the Jewish Alliance.

Shabbat Shalom, 
Harris Chorney 
Interim President & CEO

PS: Please join us on Monday, June 8 for the milestone 40th Anniversary Richard Bornstein Memorial Dwares JCC Golf Classic at the Warwick Country Club. Enjoy a day of golf overlooking Narragansett Bay—and if you don’t play golf, there is a tennis clinic and pickleball round robin. Or join us for a special 40th Anniversary cocktail hour... and, of course, there will be plenty of food!