Earlier this year, I spoke to you about the Alliance’s new strategic plan, which sets our goals and direction for the next three years. Like our previous strategic planning processes, we built our goals and strategies based on the feedback we received from nearly 500 members of our community.
Implementing these goals, and investing in their success, combined with an uncertain economic outlook meant we had to make some difficult decisions about where we allocated the precious resources we receive from our community.
One of these changes was the elimination of the podcast host/journalist position at Jewish Rhode Island. We are deeply grateful to Emma for amplifying the voices of our community and for the many contributions she made to our paper and to the Alliance.
We also made the decision to pause our Shaliach program. This pause will give us the opportunity to reimagine the role so it can better serve the needs of our community’s agencies. A volunteer committee has already been formed to explore how best to strengthen and sustain this important connection to Israel. We worked closely with our partners at the Jewish Agency for Israel to ensure a smooth transition for Gaya, and we are so appreciative of all she brought to our community during her year here.
These decisions, while not easy, allow us to preserve critical support for community agencies, expand resources for those in need, and continue to provide high-quality programs and services beyond Providence.
I know we will feel the absence of these programs and the remarkable people behind them. At the same time, I am confident that together we will find new and creative ways to deliver the programs, events, and community coverage you have come to expect.
Vibrant communities are always evolving, and our strength lies in our ability to adapt and grow while staying true to our shared values. The Alliance remains committed to building a community where every person feels a sense of belonging, and where our Rhode Island Jewish community continues to thrive for years to come.Until next time, I wish you a safe, peaceful, and joyous Shabbat.
Shabbat Shalom,
Adam Greenman
President & CEO
