A Chanukah Message from OJCF President & CEO

Chanukah invites us to reflect on the enduring themes of light, dedication, and communal responsibility. Its story is rooted in the rededication of the Temple, a moment that required courage, unity, and collective commitment.

Each year, the glow of the Chanukiyah reminds us that even the smallest flame has the power to illuminate darkness and that the act of bringing light into the world is never a solitary endeavor. It is a shared responsibility.

Lasting change is possible when individuals come together with purpose. The Maccabees did not stand alone. They drew strength from one another and from the belief that their actions mattered, not only for themselves but for the generations to come. Their dedication is echoed today whenever our community chooses to act, give, and care with purpose and continues to inspire the ways we care for one another.

At the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation, we believe this spirit of shared responsibility is the cornerstone of Jewish communal life, and this belief guides our work. Light grows when shared.

When we each contribute our own resources, talents, and compassion, we kindle a light that grows stronger with every person who joins. And as that light grows, we celebrate the many ways our community continues to show up for one another: through philanthropy, service, advocacy, and the quiet everyday acts of kindness that sustain us all.

Chanukah also reminds us that our shared responsibility reaches beyond the present moment. Endowments embody this enduring commitment. Just as the Chanukah lights begin with a single flame and grow brighter night after night, an endowment starts with one generous act whose impact expands over time. It is a collective promise that the values we cherish today, such as Jewish learning, dignity for the vulnerable, and a vibrant communal life, will continue to shine l’dor v’dor, from generation to generation.

And just as the miracle of the oil sustained the flame longer than anyone imagined, endowments sustain our communal light, ensuring that today’s generosity continues to illuminate the lives of those who follow us. They are our modern expression of rededication, preserving the strength and stability of Jewish life for generations to come.

In embracing this shared responsibility for both today’s needs and tomorrow’s possibilities, we help shape the future of our community l’dor v’dor.

May this Chanukah inspire us to dedicate ourselves to building a thriving, compassionate, and connected Jewish future illuminated by the light we kindle together.

Wishing you and your families a luminous Chanukah and a joyful new year.

David Forman

President & CEO