Hi Everyone, it’s Lorna Siepser, Board Member and Development Committee Chair.
Our Chai Society — our growing group of generous donors — has become a community. We miss each other, we enjoy each other’s company, we share our thoughts and opinions, and even share our hopes, wishes, and dreams. This is what Chai Society means to me, and I hope that’s what it means to you as well! We are members of a community within our beloved PJCC that raises money, performing acts of loving kindness — gemilut chasidim — for the benefit of all our programs and constituents.
Because the PJCC is on a July-June fiscal year, it’s the time when we naturally begin looking back at the year that’s been, with an eye to the future and what the rest of this exciting fiscal year holds.
As I look back, I’m grateful that we were able to learn a great deal from our expert panelists during our recent COVID-19 pandemic virtual event. This was brought to us by PJCC Board Member, Dr. Stephen Hurst. The four doctors shared information that we as lay and community members would not have easily found, and all of us went away with more confidence about the circumstances that surround us in this COVID world.
Many of us were then treated to “Brunch on Us”* by restaurateur Nathan Schmidt. The best part of the meal was being able to congregate in person and not via Zoom, and it was clear with the energy surrounding us that missing each other has been a large component of our experience over the past two years.
We are looking forward to our third Chai Society event for this year with our own Rabbi Lavey Derby, who is planning an evening of intellectual engagement for us. We’ll watch a movie, and then as a group we’ll have our third annual Movie Night discussion!
We are glad that you are part of our vibrant PJCC Chai Society. Look no further than your own friendships and heartfelt connection with members who are longtime friends — and new ones as well — as evidence that you are indeed an important member of our PJCC Chai Society community!
In gratitude,
Lorna
If you have not yet renewed your Chai Society support for this year, please do so by June 30 – to learn more, contact Nicola Burt, Director of Development – development@pjcc.org or 650.378.2690. To make a donation, visit pjcc.org/donate-volunteer.
* For Chai Society donors $1,800 or more.
