Dear Aaron Family JCC Members and Friends,

As we approach this Memorial Day, I write to you on behalf of the entire Aaron Family Jewish Community Center family with a heart full of gratitude and a spirit of solemn remembrance. This Monday, our nation pauses to honor the men and women of our Armed Forces who gave the last full measure of devotion so that we might live in freedom, and we at the J take this pause with the utmost seriousness and reverence.

Our Jewish values have always called us to remember, l’zecher, to honor the memory of those who came before us and those who sacrificed on our behalf. The Hebrew word zachor, “to remember,” is one of the most often commanded acts in our tradition. On Memorial Day, that tradition resonates profoundly with our American identity. We are a community shaped by two great inheritances: the Jewish commitment to memory and justice, and the American promise of liberty and opportunity. Those who died in service to this country defended both.

We also take this moment to recognize the brave men and women who are currently serving in uniform, far from their families and the communities they call home. Their courage and commitment sustain the freedoms we exercise every day; the freedom to gather, to worship, to learn, and to build the kind of vibrant, inclusive community that the J strives to be.

To the veterans within our J family, and to the Gold Star families who carry an unimaginable loss: please know that this community sees you, honors you, and stands with you. Your loved ones’ names may not be carved in stone at every memorial, but they are written in the fabric of the freedom we share.

As you spend time with family and friends this weekend, I encourage you to take a moment of quiet reflection. Light a candle, say a name, share a story. A person is truly gone only when they are forgotten. Let us ensure that those who gave everything are never forgotten.

With deep gratitude for their sacrifice, and with pride in the community we build together.

‍

Todd