TL;DR: Emunah of America CEO and Global Jewry Advisory Board member Hila Stern reflects on the importance of global Jewish connection and collaboration. Through her work supporting vulnerable populations in Israel and her involvement with Global Jewry, she emphasizes that shared challenges, from predjudice and antisemitism to the the struggles endured by those in Israel under the present war, require collective action, partnership, and a strengthened global Jewish network.
Jewish history has always been a story of resilience, responsibility, and interconnectedness. No matter where we live or what institutions we lead, we are part of something larger than ourselves.
Writing to you from Israel, while experiencing many red alert sirens, hearing about an attack on a Jewish school in Michigan, I think about how we endure the harsh realities of war and confront a troubling rise in antisemitism. It is through our sense of shared destiny, which feels more urgent than ever. Our interconnectedness is not simply a value. It is a responsibility. As Jews, we are called to stand up for one another, to advocate for Israel, and to ensure that its citizens and the most vulnerable among them receive the care, protection, and support they need. In times like these, unity and collaboration are not abstract ideals. They are essential. The strength of the Jewish people has always come from our willingness to work together across communities and across borders to safeguard our future.
I joined Global Jewry because I believe the future of our people depends on connection. The challenges facing Jewish communities today, from rising antisemitism to the emotional toll of war and the need to inspire the next generation, cannot be addressed in isolation. They require collaboration, shared wisdom, and collective strength.
Throughout my career, I have focused not only on fundraising and strategic growth, but on storytelling and bridge-building. I have had the privilege of organizing missions to Israel, convening cross-communal panels, cultivating major gift partnerships, and creating spaces where meaningful dialogue can take place. Time and again, I have seen that when leaders step outside their silos and into conversation, innovation follows.
Global Jewry represents that possibility on a broader scale. Being part of a network of more than 500 organizations committed to Jewish continuity and impact is both energizing and humbling. I am excited to exchange ideas, explore strategic collaborations, and contribute to conversations that shape our shared future.
At its core, our work is about responsibility. To our beneficiaries. To our supporters. And to one another. I joined Global Jewry because when we collaborate with intention, we do more than strengthen our own institutions. We strengthen the Jewish people as a whole.
Shavua tov,
Hila Stern
CEO, Emunah of America
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