by Lisa Pollack
“No matter what our particular job, especially in our world today, we all are called to be Tikkun Olam—repairers of creation.” – Fred Rogers
This summer, I was invited to present American Friends of Neve Hanna to the
Geffen Institute workshops at the FJMC International Convention in Chicago. I shared the story of Neve Hanna and spoke about the leadership, children, mission, impact, values, principles, and state-of-the-art therapeutic programs. I discussed how partnering the FJMC Regions and Men’s Clubs with AFNH aligns with core Jewish values, encouraging global outreach, and influence by connecting to the land and the children of Israel. AFNH also had a table at the Program Fair, which offered the opportunity for convention delegates to engage in individual conversation with me and pick up literature.
It was wonderful to reunite, reconnect, learn, celebrate, daven, and break bread together with our FJMC brothers, some of whom I had not seen since the 2023 Philly Convention. There were inspiring and powerful lectures and break-out sessions. The guest speakers and programming were outstanding. There was plenty of camaraderie and Ruach to go around!
AFNH and FJMC are both affiliated with the Conservative Movement and understand the value of Tikkun Olam. It is central to who we are as Jews. Many of our AFNH board, friends, and donors are part of the FJMC community. We are one family — Mishpacha.
FJMC already supports Neve Hanna through the International Kiddush Club (IKC) Tefillin Program that gifts tefillin to the Bar Mitzvah boys every year. They also have had fundraisers benefiting Neve Hanna: the KIO Region Men’s Clubs Dinner Dance Fundraiser with B’nai Jeshurun Congregation, Park Synagogue Anshe Emeth Beth Tefilo Congregation, and Congregation Shaarey Tikvah; and the FJMC King of the Hill Walking Challenge.
Thank you, FJMC, for inviting AFNH to be part of your Convention and helping us to inspire the Regions and Men’s Clubs to promote mitzvah programs that will benefit the children at Neve Hanna.
Learn how your Men’s Club can get involved with Neve Hanna through meaningful support combined with FJMC initiatives. Let’s build something together.
Visit our website at afnevehanna.org
American Friends of Neve Hanna 