From the Desk of Jeri Zimmerman

The monthly column of Jeri Zimmerman, executive director of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley

From commemoration to celebrations

As spring unfolds across the Lehigh Valley, our community moved through the special events of remembrance, reflection, and celebration. During this Season of Independence, we honor our past, recognize sacrifice, celebrate resilience, and look ahead with hope.

We began with Yom HaShoah, a so…

Passover 2026

As spring returns and we gather around our seder tables, Passover 2026 offers a meaningful opportunity to reflect not only on our timeless story of liberation, but also on the enduring meaning of freedom in our own time.

As we know, Pesach commemorates the Exodus from Egypt, when the Israel…

The women who carry us

In every generation, Jewish women have been the quiet architects of continuity. They have shaped homes, built institutions, sustained traditions, and reimagined what leadership looks like. Here in the Lehigh Valley, that legacy is not abstract history; it is living, breathing, and evolving b…

The magic of a Jewish camp experience

With the frigid temperature and possible snow events, it’s hard to believe that this is the “camp edition” of Hakol, but there is no better time to start dreaming about those long, warm, sunny summer days spent at Jewish camp.

Both day camps and overnight camps have held a special pla…

Light in the dark days of winter

With winter upon us and the days getting shorter, two moments call us to pause, reflect, and look forward with renewed purpose: Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, and the arrival of the secular New Year. These observances come from vastly different places. Chanukah is deeply rooted in Jewish …