MY JEWISH JOURNEY
By Debbi Levy
Many of us enjoy different circles of friends who enrich our orbits. Reading this opening sentence, you might be naming some of your own circles as they come to mind. My reflections bring up friendships at the intersections of yoga, mindfulness, pickleball, congregational life, needlepoint hobbyists and friends I have kept close from my years in San Antonio. Each circle I am a part of feels supportive of a layer of my identity and nourishes shared values.
The friendships within the framework of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas seem to check so many sacred boxes and leave an imprint on me that feels like a blessing. This summer, the uniqueness of and gratitude for my Federation activities have made their way to the forefront as I reflect and prioritize before the rush of the fall season. Grateful for the quieter pace of Dallas these couple of months, but also building my own foundation for the new year brick by brick, I set out to name exactly what strengthens the friendships I am cultivating with my “Federation friends.”
I suppose the way last Friday unfolded has positively triggered the depth of the friendships I am describing here. I had lunch with my friend, Dot Haymann, at the world-famous Woodlands American Grill, where we ran into several people we were happy to see. I made my way to the parking lot. Someone honked behind me as I was preparing to put the car into reverse, so I kept the car in park and looked over my shoulder to see what was going on. A tinted window began to roll down next to me, and I learned the honk came from a smiling Bill Finkelstein, former Federation chair. I won’t ever pass up a chance for that hug. “Did I miss a lunch?” he asked. We agreed to quickly set a dinner with Jeri and Barry.
My afternoon found Sherry Goldberg, current chair, and me trading calls back and forth while working around the time change with the two of us in different states. Sometimes it feels like such a win when we do! I feel blessed to be given the opportunity to onboard with Sherry as I learn and observe all the productive ways our local Federation operates to support Jewish Dallas, Israel and beyond.
Before I lit my Shabbat candles, I was daydreaming about the upcoming Lion of Judah Conference slated for Austin in March. I cannot wait to be with these Jewish women from all over the globe for a few special days. Dallas has a nice representation registered and excited, and we are looking forward to celebrating our leadership award recipient, Barbara Spigel. In Jewish camp spirit, I am hoping we laugh and sing on our charter bus to Austin.
The Shabbat candles are now lit. In the quiet, my reflection picks right up where it left off. What is it about my Federation friends that keeps them close to my heart?
Following the tragedy of Oct. 7, Federation made a path for us to draw together and do what we do best: pray with our feet. Off we went to Washington, D.C., for the March for Israel, a massive demonstration that took place on the National Mall on Nov. 14, 2023. The estimated crowd of 290,000 was made up of more Federations than I can count, getting each of us there. We weren’t home very long before we were knee-deep in planning a solidarity mission to comfort and aid our brothers and sisters in Israel. It is said that many donors don’t like to pick up the phone for solicitation in these years of caller ID, but with Kenny Goldberg and Barry Rothschild calling on behalf of the Israel campaign, they were met with a responsive Dallas. The Federation officers whom I was so fortunate to sit around the table with had fire in their eyes as they rolled up their sleeves and led in this tragic time.
I must mention that I have been on the receiving end of laughter and joy at so many events made possible for our community by Federation. Zibby Owens at the Women’s Philanthropy event discussing her process of writing “On Being Jewish Now” was one of those days. Heartwarming, meaningful, with an awareness that it felt very different to be Jewish in this post-Oct. 7 environment.
Again, at this table, blessed as usual, were my friends. I do not feel helpless when antisemitism rears its ugly head. I feel empowered to help educate and be the upstander I pledge to be.
With the sacred tasks at hand, I look up and visualize myself standing with the friends I have made, my heart full and appreciative of the shared Jewish intersections that bind us together in service to the community. This circle is ever evolving, like Abraham’s tent. We have lots of room for you to join us!
Kohenet Debbi Levy is on a Federation Zoom call now helping to plan the Pacesetter Mission to Israel set for March 2027. This shameless plug is an invitation! You can reach her at Debbiklevy@gmail.com.