DJCF: You're Home Here

Dear Friends of DJCF,

One of my favorite books that my children have ever received from PJ Library is called “Shalom Bayit. A Peaceful Home” by Linda Elovitz Marshall.?The book describes everything a peaceful home can represent for animals and humans alike. To me, the Hebrew phrase?Shalom Bayit?(which is translated to mean ‘peace of the home’) encapsulates not only the physical space we inhabit but also the harmony, love, and understanding that truly make home a sanctuary. But home as a sanctuary doesn’t mean that we are called to retreat or close ourselves off from others.? Embedded into our tradition is the concept of home as a shelter for those around us in need of refuge, also. Take the bridal chuppah as an example: of many symbols associated with the canopy is that of Abraham’s tent, which was a symbol of hospitality.?This biblical tent was open on all sides so that visitors would know they were welcome. The tabernacle, the portable sanctuary carried by the Israelites built to house the presence of G-d, was also described as a bridal canopy, making this wedding symbol a sign of G-d’s presence at a wedding and in the home, sanctifying the ceremony and the newly wedded couple within. The 19th-century Russian-Jewish rabbi and scholar known as the Malbim determined that the symbolic explanation for the relevance of the tabernacle was, “not that G-d needed a physical sanctuary on earth, but that each one of us is called to build a tabernacle for G-d in our hearts” meaning that that Hashem dwells in the hearts of his people. In 2012, Rabbi Lucy H.F. Dinner wrote, “of the?Pirke Avot?2:16 teaching: “It is not up to you to finish the work, yet you are not free to avoid it.” The teaching emphasizes that the obligation is not about changing the world as much as it is about attuning the self to the needs of the world. Each person has an obligation to contribute to those in need, both in his or her own community and beyond. It has been said that “charity begins at home,” but it doesn’t end there. In performing acts of loving-kindness among our inner circles, we build an outlook and perspective that will be reflected in every individual action and interaction in the world.”

At the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation, we strive to embody this in all that we do. Whether it's through our commitment to growing philanthropy, fostering connections within the community, or providing support to those in need, our aim is to cultivate a sense of belonging and peace for all. When you join our community of philanthropists, we engage with one another with?chesed?(loving-kindness) and?emet?(truth, honesty). As we pursue these bold ideals together, I wanted to take a moment to share some exciting “housekeeping” items with you:

New Office Location: In late March, we will be relocating to a new office space. This move represents a significant milestone for us, and we are eager to welcome you to our new home. Rest assured, our commitment to serving you remains steadfast, and we will continue to provide the same level of excellence and care you have come to expect from us. You may experience slight delays in grant processing from March 18-29th. As a reminder, the “MY DJCF” portal remains available 24/7 to check account balances, request a grant, or to contribute to your fund online. We will be sharing the details of our new address and contact information via paper mail, on our website, and via email correspondence.

Your Legacy, Our Jewish Future: Thank you to those of you who have responded to our survey. If you haven’t, please do so by February 29th here. We will then begin reviewing responses and incorporating your feedback into our ongoing operations and strategic plan.

I want to extend an open invitation to all individuals who wish to discuss endowment or charitable legacy plans with the foundation. Whether you have questions, ideas, or simply want to touch base, we are here for you. Our team is dedicated to providing personalized support and guidance tailored to your unique philanthropic goals.

Renaming of Investment Portfolios: To better serve our fundholders and make navigating our investment options more intuitive, we have decided to rename our investment pools. These new names will be more easily recognized and understood, helping you make informed decisions about your investments. We believe this change will enhance transparency and clarity, further strengthening our partnership with you.

DJCF’s investment performance reports are posted on the website, current through January as well as our quarterly community session. ?On our new website, these reports can be found on the Investment Reports page under ‘Tools + Resources’ tab on our menu toggle, found here: Investment Reports - Dallas JewishCommunity Foundation (djcf.org)

Closing Thoughts

I can’t write about Shalom Bayit without mention of the continued anguish our community is facing amidst the ongoing conflict. We pray for the hostages to be brought home, for the continued recovery of those injured, honor the memory of the lives lost, and for a peaceful resolution so that we can all begin to repair the brokenness we feel. In that spirit, let us continue to foster a sense of Shalom Bayit – not only within our homes, but also within our hearts and our community. Together, we can create a place where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and at peace.

Thank you for entrusting us with your generosity and for being an integral part of our foundation. Your support fuels our work and inspires us every day. Wishing you and your loved ones joy, abundance, and, above all, peace.

Shabbat Shalom,

Megan Hyman