Acknowledgment

Before I reflect on JSDD and my personal journey, I want to acknowledge a few people who mentored me and increased my love of the Jewish community.

First, Howard Charish – have you ever met a more engaging, charismatic, caring, influential leader? He was the first exec I worked with at Metrowest Federation when I moved into this community about 35 years ago. And now, we are closer friends than ever, along with his amazing wife Sharon.

I will always remember Joel Daner, who was the first person to ask me, over 20 years ago, to join the Board of JSDD. I could never say no to Joel, since he was my mentor, my sounding board and my dear friend. And Joel, Of Blessed Memory, I thank you for changing my life. And thank you Selma for being here this evening.

I also want to thank Ellen Goldner, for being the most amazing leader in our wonderful Metrowest community, who I have followed being president from The Partnership for Jewish Learning and Life and then JSDD. Ellen – you are inspiring, creative, involved, and always doing everything with a great sense of humor, even a little bit of irreverence.

Also, many thanks to Linda Press, leader extraordinaire, who leads this powerful organization, who truly has made a difference in so many lives. The staff of JSDD is beyond exceptional – I have never seen so much dedication on a daily basis.

A special thank you to Dena Kevelson, who led this gala with grace, determination and excellence. And special shout out to Kai, who was our graphics, journal, co-ordinator, plus so much more.

And what an exceptional Gala committee – kudos for all of your hard work.

Now, I especially want to thank the leadership, the staff, the families — and most importantly, the individuals we serve — who have taught me more about life, courage, and joy than any textbook, seminar, or board meeting ever could.
You have shown me what it means to live fully… to persevere… and to celebrate the dignity and infinite potential of every human being.

JSDD’s Vision and Impact

From its earliest days, JSDD has stood for something timeless and deeply moral:
that every person deserves the chance to live a life of meaning, belonging, and independence.

We don’t measure success in statistics. We measure it in smiles… in friendships… in the sacred, everyday moments of pride and progress.

I’ve seen how a house becomes a home,
how a program becomes a family,
and how opportunity becomes empowerment.

What JSDD has built is more than a network of support — it’s a culture of inclusion that radiates outward, transforming our entire community.

As The Talmud teaches:

“Whoever saves one life, it is as if they have saved an entire world.”

At JSDD, we don’t just save worlds — we expand them. Each person we serve reminds us that the image of G-d — the Tzelem Elokim — is reflected uniquely in every human being.

Connection to This Week’s Parsha – Lech Lecha

This week’s parsha, Lech Lecha, begins with G-d’s call to Abraham:

“Lech lecha — Go forth from your land, from your birthplace, and from your father’s house, to the land that I will show you.”

It’s a moment of courage — a call to leave the familiar and step into the unknown, guided only by faith, purpose, and hope.

When I first said “yes” to getting involved with JSDD, I didn’t know exactly what lay ahead. Like Abraham, I was stepping into something new — a journey that would challenge me, inspire me, and ultimately, change how I see the world.

Over the years, I have witnessed miracles — not the dramatic, parting-of-the-sea kind — but the quiet, everyday kind:

• A WAE Center member learning to cook a favorite food for the first time.
• Someone finding their voice through art or song.
• Families discovering hope where there was once only fear.

Each of these is a Lech Lecha moment — an act of courage, of growth, of faith in what could be.

Personal Reflection and Gratitude

This award may be presented to me — but it belongs to so many others.

To the mentors and visionaries who guided me, to the families who trusted me, to my colleagues who worked tirelessly alongside me, and especially to the individuals who inspire us every single day with their resilience, humor, and grace.

And, of course, to my family, who are here this evening, my sister Anita and brother-in-law, Juidge, my amazing nieces Beth and Stacey, whose love and patience made my work possible. You grounded me when things got busy, encouraged me when challenges arose, and reminded me — always — of why this mission matters.

I want to take this moment to thank everyone for supporting me with lots of love and caring during my brother’s illness and passing. This award is dedicated to him, a quiet, inspirational influence in my life that I will remember forever.

Also, to my parents, Vivian and Julius Rein, OBM, who taught, by example, how to make Jewish leadership and philanthropy a part of our daily lives.

As it says in Pirkei Avot:
“It is not your duty to finish the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.”

That’s what family, community, and faith have always meant to me — the understanding that our work is never complete, but every step forward matters.

As you know, several people have called me the “serial president”, since I think I am holding the record with a few people to be president of so many organizations in Metrowest: My shul, AABJ&D, JCC, Partnership for Jewish Learning and Life, and JSDD, plus I now also play active roles on these boards: Metrowest Federation, Jewish Family Service, Mikvah, JKHA, JCC, JSDD, plus West Orange/Livingston Chesed Committee, plus Deputy Mayor of West Orange, plus other Boards in Israel and international organizations.

I have and will dedicate my life to making the Jewish world a better place.

Jewish Values and Broader Inspiration

As Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, z”l, taught:
“To be truly great, you have to be willing to serve. True leadership is not about self-interest, but about responsibility.”

Tonight, I look around this room and see an entire community of helpers and caring individuals — people who choose compassion over convenience, who understand that inclusion isn’t charity… it’s justice. Our tradition calls this chesed — loving-kindness — not as an idea, but as a way of life.

That, to me, is the spirit of JSDD — justice for those too often overlooked, mercy for those who struggle, and humility in knowing that we are all, at times, both givers and receivers of grace.

Closing Reflections

Receiving a Legacy of Leadership Award naturally makes you reflect — on the steps behind you, and the road still ahead.

If my journey with JSDD has taught me anything, it’s that our work is never truly finished — because inclusion isn’t a project… it’s a promise.

And every promise is renewed each time we open a door, extend a hand, or make room at the table for someone new.

In Lech Lecha, G-d never tells Abraham exactly where he’s going — only that it will be “a land that I will show you.” In many ways, that’s been my experience with JSDD. None of us knew exactly where this journey would take us — but we trusted that if we walked with purpose and heart, we would arrive somewhere holy.

Thank you for allowing me to share in this extraordinary mission. Thank you for reminding me — again and again — what it truly means to serve, to lead, and to love.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.