By Carl Zebrowski
Editor

The Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley will officially launch its 2027 Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs with an invitation-only Major Gifts Reception with a  community-wide presentation to follow featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Bret Stephens on Thursday, September 17, at Muhlenberg College.

The evening will celebrate the generosity and leadership of the Federation’s major donors while marking the beginning of the annual campaign that sustains essential programs and services for the Jewish community locally, in Israel, and around the world.

Following the Major Gifts Reception, Stephens will present “The Future of the Jewish Community in America,” offering timely insights on Israel, antisemitism, American Jewish life, and the challenges and opportunities facing the Jewish people today.

“We are honored to launch our annual campaign with a speaker whose thoughtful insights will force us to look beyond today’s challenges and toward a vibrant Jewish future,” says Aaron Gorodzinsky, Jewish Federation director of development. “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Mr. Stephens to the Lehigh Valley and to begin our campaign inspired by his vision for a strong, confident, and enduring Jewish community.”

A veteran of The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, Stephens is widely recognized for his commentary on foreign policy, national security, and global affairs. He has become one of the nation’s leading voices on Israel, antisemitism, and the future of American Jewish communities.

“As our community launches this year’s campaign, Mr. Stephens brings a message of resilience and renewal,” Gorodzinsky says. “His willingness to speak with moral clarity about Israel, antisemitism, and the defense of democratic values has made him one of the most respected voices in American journalism. He reminds us that investing in Jewish education, philanthropy, and communal responsibility is how we strengthen Jewish life for generations to come.”

Attendees can expect Stephens to share his latest perspectives on developments in Israel and their impact on Jewish communities in the United States, along with his analysis of the evolving landscape of Jewish life in America.
Following the Major Gifts Reception at 5:30 p.m., the community presentation and dessert reception will begin at 7:15 p.m. in Muhlenberg College’s Miller Forum in Moyer Hall. The 7:15 p.m. event is open to all members of the Jewish community who make a pledge to the 2027 Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs. The registration fee for the community presentation is $36.

Register by September 3 and make your 2027 campaign pledge online. The evening promises to be both an inspiring launch to the Federation’s annual campaign and an opportunity for the community to come together around a shared commitment to a strong Jewish future.