2025 Annual Campaign Co-chairs, Sue Price and Ed Kuresman (Bob Brant, not pictured)
Submitted by David Harris, Chief Development Officer, Jewish Federation of Cincinnati
On what turned out to be the coldest day of the year, the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati’s 2025 Impact Breakfast brought warmth and inspiration to hundreds of community members gathered in the Amberley Room at the Mayerson JCC. As Ed Kuresman, our 2025 Annual Campaign Cochair, said so perfectly in his opening remarks, “You turned the coldest day of the year into one of the warmest.”
The warmth in the room was undeniable. Whether it was the hot coffee and delicious breakfast from Café Alma, the coziness of the J, or the heartfelt stories shared by our speakers, the atmosphere was one of connection, gratitude, and shared purpose. Federation Board Chair Josh Blatt captured the feeling beautifully: “It was such a great feeling to look around and see the Amberley Room filled with such a broad spectrum of our community members and professionals.”
What stayed with me most were the stories of resilience and impact shared that morning. Tracy Juran spoke about the incredible work of our partner agency the Jewish Fertility Foundation-CINCY, which has seen a 74% increase in requests for fertility grants in the past year. Her words, “Our values teach us that the Jewish response to suffering is not to focus on the why, but on the ‘What can I do?’” reminded me of the sacred responsibility we all have to ensure the continuity of our peoplehood and community.
Sherri Symson shared her family’s experience navigating antisemitism in her children’s school. She spoke about the critical role of Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), whose guidance empowered her daughter to confidently counter antisemitic comments with facts. Sherri explained how, years later, when her younger daughter faced a similar challenge, the school’s proactive response was a direct result of JCRC’s behind-the-scenes work. Stories like Sherri’s underscore the vital importance of what we do every day.
The morning reached a profoundly moving moment when Rabbi Hazzan Jeffrey Myers, spiritual leader of Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue, shared his keynote address. As a survivor of the deadliest antisemitic attack in US history, his words were filled with lessons of resilience and hope. He challenged us to “rebuild bonds, foster respect, and educate the next generation.” His reminder — “If not now, when?” — a timeless teaching from Rabbi Hillel, is one that I carry with me. It’s a call to action that compels us to move forward with purpose and determination.
For me, hope is what ties this together. Without it, we risk despair — a path that feels all too easy given the challenges we face. If Rabbi Myers can hold onto hope, then surely, we can too.
Right now, our Leadership Trip to Israel is underway, with 15 of our local leaders witnessing firsthand the resilience and strength of the communities we support. I am eager to hear their stories upon their return, knowing they will remind us all of the profound impact we’re making together.
This year’s Impact Breakfast was not just a celebration of the work we’ve done but a reminder of the work that still lies ahead. I am deeply grateful to everyone who helped make it possible—from our speakers, like Marcie and Nathan Bachrach, Sherri Symson, Suzette Fisher, Julien Teitelbaum, and Tracy Juran to our 2025 Annual Campaign Cochairs, Ed Kuresman, Sue Price, and Bob Brant. Most of all, I am grateful to each of you who continue to show up, to give, and to make a difference.
