
By Dara Kaufman / Executive Director, Jewish Federation of the Berkshires
At our home this past Hanukkah, we chose to light every menorah we owned. The silver Tree of Life menorah we received as a wedding gift, the etched glass one from my mother-in-law, the blue-and-white stained-glass menorah crafted by my husband Ofer, and even the slightly dusty Noah’s Ark menorah we used when our children were young. As I reflected on what has been an incredibly challenging year, I wanted to fill our home with as much light as possible—not just for my family, but for our community, for the people of Israel, and, above all, for the hostages and their families.
I saw that same collective light reflected in the public menorah lightings across the Berkshires—in Williamstown, North Adams, Lenox, and at Federation’s Chanukah celebration at Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield. Over 450 people, including many intergenerational families, gathered at the Village’s round stone barn to celebrate, with uplifting music from the Berkshire Jewish Musicians Collective and words of solidarity from Pittsfield Mayor Peter Marchetti, MA Senator Paul Mark, and MA Representative Leigh Davis. The City of Pittsfield also issued a proclamation of support, which you can read below.
The shadow of rising antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment on campuses – combined with the security concerns these bring – have, at times, felt overwhelming. But in those moments, the collective glow of so many candles and so many people—each one a symbol of our strength and resilience—was a powerful source of comfort. It filled my heart with warmth and hope for the future.
In that same spirit, I want to express our profound gratitude to all of you who supported our 2024 Annual Campaign. Thanks to your generosity, we raised over $1.37 million—our highest campaign total ever. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the dedication of each of YOU—our generous donors, passionate volunteers, and your unwavering commitment to building vibrant, caring Jewish life across the Berkshires and beyond. Together, we bring light and hope for our shared future.
A special thank you to Josh Cutler, our 2024 Super Tzedakah Week Chair (and his son, James), as well as to Claudio and Penny Pincus, the chairs of our Major Donor Celebration. Their leadership was instrumental in making these two signature events a resounding success, fostering a deeper sense of community and bringing many others into our fold.
This month, our Allocations Committee is hard at work reviewing grant and scholarship applications, beginning the thoughtful process of balancing support for our local Jewish organizations with the urgent needs of the Israeli people and fragile Jewish communities around the world, including those still suffering from the war in Ukraine.
The committee will also be considering funding to support Jewish education for students at Hevreh, Knesset Israel, Congregation Beth Israel, and Temple Anshe Amunim, as well as Jewish life on campus at Williams College and UMASS Amherst. Additionally, the committee will review scholarships for young people to attend Jewish summer camps. These programs are essential in nurturing a love of Judaism through learning, community engagement, tikkun olam, and countless moments of joy—each helping to build a strong and lasting Jewish identity and nurturing future Jewish leaders.
I am proud to share that Federation has launched its “Hate Has No Home Here” campaign. We believe every Berkshire resident has the right to live, work, love, and worship in freedom, dignity, and safety—without fear. As antisemitism escalates across our community, country, and world, we recognize that hatred toward Jews often signals broader discrimination against other marginalized groups, often spiraling into more spiraling into more dangerous forms of violence. Antisemitism is not just a Jewish issue—it is a societal one. It is our collective responsibility to confront bigotry and hate in all its forms.
Through this campaign, we are partnering with local chambers of commerce, businesses, cultural organizations, houses of worship, and schools to amplify the message that “Hate Has No Home Here” via posters, social media, and online resources. Throughout December, January, and February, you’ll see Federation billboards in Great Barrington, Lenox, Pittsfield, and North Adams carrying an expanded message: “Antisemitism Threatens Us All. Hate Has No Home Here.” Learn more about this important initiative at jewishberkshires.org/Hate-Has-No-Home-Here.
Federation is also deeply committed to the security of our Jewish community. We are proud to announce the launch of Jewish Berkshires LiveSecure, our new community security initiative in collaboration with the Secure Community Network (SCN), and the hiring of Andrew Hoffman as our Deputy Regional Security Advisor. Andrew has already begun his work, meeting with our local Jewish institutions, law enforcement, and FBI contacts. On February 10 at 7 p.m., we will host a crucial Communal Security Town Hall at Knesset Israel with Andrew and SCN National Director Michael Masters. I strongly encourage every Jewish resident to attend and learn how this new initiative will impact our community, share your concerns, and help shape a safer, stronger Berkshire Jewish community. Learn more about Jewish Berkshires LiveSecure at jewishberkshires.org/LiveSecure.
As we step into 2025, we are filled with gratitude for the blessing of community and the meaningful work we do together—extending comfort and care, standing united against hate, fostering resilience, and nurturing joyful Jewish connections across the Berkshires, in Israel, and around the world. Thank you for your continued support and for standing with us as we work to make our community stronger, more united, and filled with light.