With pressing needs in Israel and Ukraine, anti-Semitism on the rise and a plan to care for our own seniors in development, at Rosh Hashanah we issued a challenge.

We urged the community not to wait until the end of the year to pledge to the 2015 Campaign for Jewish Needs, but instead to make those pledges before Thanksgiving. We asked volunteers to hit the ground running and speak to donors as soon as possible.

After 60 days, we are pleased to announce that 625 donors responded to the challenge and we have raised a total of $1,267,601 for the Campaign – a $250,000 increase over this time last year from 200 more donors.

“The annual campaign is our main vehicle for raising funds each year to meet community needs and fuel initiatives locally, in Israel and around the world,” said Iris Epstein, chairperson of the 2015 Campaign. “We still have a ways to go, but we should all take a moment to celebrate a success.”

The campaign will remain open until June 30, 2015, and we expect to raise at least another $1 million to support Jews here at home, in Israel and around the world. But securing these pledges early will help us better address needs now and plan for next year.

Thank you for taking the 60 Day Challenge. Because of you, we are there.