Friday Five – May 8, 2026
At JewishColumbus we have a bold and audacious goal to become the BEST Jewish community in North America. Friday Five is a way to share how your support makes a great impact possible. Every other week, we are proud to share that impact, community partnership, accomplishments, and our most incredible moments of pride. Thank you for coming along.
Advocacy is one of the most important ways we put our values into action. Over the past several weeks, I’ve been proud to see our community showing up — at the Ohio Statehouse with our partners at ADL and in Washington, DC, with JFNA and Eagles’ Wings, an organization that brings Jewish and Christian leaders together to strengthen support for Israel and combat antisemitism. Together, our leaders spoke directly with elected officials about antisemitism, Israel, and the security of Jewish communities. These conversations matter because relationships matter, and because our community deserves to be heard in the rooms where decisions are made.
What stands out to me is the consistency and seriousness with which our leaders continue to engage. This work is not about a single meeting or event; it is about making sure our Jewish community remains visible, protected, and connected at the local, state, and national levels. In the weeks ahead, we will continue advocating for increased security support for Jewish institutions and for policies that strengthen and protect our community.
For many children, Jewish day camp is where Jewish joy becomes real. While we often talk about the transformative power of Jewish overnight camp, Jewish day camp plays an equally important role in shaping strong Jewish identities — especially during the formative early years of a child’s life.
At a time when many Jewish families are searching for spaces where their children feel safe, supported, and fully accepted, Jewish day camps offer something truly powerful. According to the Foundation for Jewish Camp, 89% of families say that day camp fosters a culture of belonging, and 86% report meaningful support for their child’s mental, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. That impact is lasting.
JewishColumbus is proud to support local programs like JCamps and Camp B’Simcha because these experiences do more than fill summer days, they help raise resilient, connected, and confident Jewish children who carry that sense of identity and community with them long after camp ends.
| JewishColumbus Women’s Philanthropy is rooted in the belief that when women come together with purpose, compassion, and generosity, they have the power to shape the future of Jewish life. This week’s Spring Soirée was a beautiful reflection of that spirit, an opportunity to celebrate the women whose commitment, care, and collective action continue to strengthen and sustain our Jewish community. |
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As this important work continues to grow, we are thrilled to welcome Arlene Reitter as our new Director of Women’s Philanthropy. Arlene brings both warmth and vision to this role, along with a deep belief in the extraordinary influence women have as community-builders, change-makers, and leaders. She is passionate about creating spaces where women can learn, connect, lead, and see themselves as an essential part of shaping the future of JewishColumbus. Whether through philanthropy, service, advocacy, or relationship-building, Arlene is focused on helping more women find meaningful ways to engage and make an impact.
With fewer than 60 days remaining in JewishColumbus’ Annual Campaign, this moment is about more than reaching a goal — it is about ensuring our community has what it needs to thrive in a time of growing challenge and uncertainty. The strength of our Jewish community does not happen on its own. It takes all of us, coming together, to care for those in need, combat hate and protect our community, build Jewish pride, and support Israel and Jewish communities around the world.
Every day, our collective investment makes it possible for schools to excel, synagogues to flourish, families to find support, seniors and Holocaust survivors to receive care, and Jewish life to remain vibrant and secure. None of this happens without community-wide participation. As we move toward our $15 million goal by June 30, these final weeks are an opportunity to show what is possible when a community believes in one another and chooses to stand together.
Let’s build something extraordinary together.
For the first time, Columbus is welcoming Shinshinim,18-year-old Israelis taking a gap year of service to live and volunteer within our Jewish community. These young leaders will spend their time immersed in local institutions, from schools and synagogues to summer camps and youth programs, sharing their experiences and bringing Israeli culture to life. We look forward to welcoming Ofri and Amit to our community in August.
Might you consider hosting a Shinshin for a semester?
By opening your home to a Shinshin, your family becomes part of something much bigger: a living bridge between Columbus and Israel. It’s a unique opportunity to deepen your connection to Jewish identity, build a meaningful, lasting relationship with a future leader of Israel, and provide your children with a strong role model for leadership and volunteerism.
To learn more about what’s involved in hosting and how your family can participate, reach out to Efrat Speckman, Director of Israel & Overseas [email protected].
