Mother-to-Mother Unity Mission to Israel

duda • April 26, 2024

The first step toward hope, is taking action.

Dear JCA Community,

A group of six Jewish mothers from Maine, a Momentum Partnership Manager, a Brandeis professor, and the J’s Executive Director walk into a home during Pesach may sound like the start of a great joke, but it was actually the scene in Falmouth on Wednesday night. The moms and I are two weeks away from departing on a Mother-to-Mother Unity Mission to Israel. Gila, our Momentum Manager, and Sara from Brandeis traveled from Massachusetts to ensure we are emotionally and physically prepared for the journey we are about to embark on together, as well as to share their own experiences as Israelis living in the diaspora who were personally affected by October 7^th.

We are scheduled to arrive just in time to commemorate Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day) and to mark Yom Ha’atzmaut (Independence Day). We know it will be incredibly powerful to be there for these events, to honor and cement our shared connection to the land of Israel, our peoplehood, our values and our commitments. Above all this trip will be an opportunity to express our shared belief that as mothers in the diaspora, we are called to stand in unity and in support of Israeli mothers. In a time when so many are turning away or staying quiet, it is ultimately our shared desire to turn toward these injustices, to act in the service of humanity, and the desire to do something, anything, to stand against anti-Zionism, anti-Semitism and terror, and to bear witness to the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7^th.

We all have additional, more personal “why’s” as well. Gila shared her own story of waking up in Israel on October 7^th to the sound of sirens, and how she rushed to her 23-year-old daughter’s side immediately. Gila recalled her insistence that no matter the risk to herself personally, she was committed to personally delivering her daughter to her military base, praying it wouldn’t be their last moments together. Thankfully, she just celebrated her 24^th birthday, with our group over Zoom (see photo below!) Sara talked about her immediate family member, Mia Shem, an Israeli hostage who was released on November 30^th. One Maine participant discussed her experience of living as a teacher in Jerusalem, and that two of her former students were directly affected on October 7^th, one was killed in the Nova massacre, and the other two days later as part of the first IDF unit to enter Gaza. The rest of us talked about our own connections to Israel, to the Holocaust, and about our fears right here in our own country. We echo one another’s sentiments that we no longer feel safe or free to express our religion or commitments to Israel publicly. All of us do so loudly and proudly anyway. The topic that aligns us in the most resounding way, though, is our children. Our number one priority as parents is to ensure their safety. What must it be like to be an Israeli mother right now?

We all agree: “If I am not for myself, who is for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? If not now, when?” – Rabbi Hillel, 1^st Century B.C.

What will this mission look like? To start, we will be meeting with families of hostages, bearing witness by visiting a kibbutz destroyed by Hamas, as well as the Nova Music Festival site, where we will hear from a survivor. Later, we will harvest fruits and vegetables on a farm, ensuring fresh food reaches the markets. We will donate our time, learn, listen, offer support and solidarity.

As the Community Leader for this mission, I feel a personal responsibility to not only share what we hope our time volunteering in Israel does mean for us, and hopefully for those we interact with on the ground, but I also want you to know what this mission does not mean. Our connection to and support for Israel does not negate the clear suffering and massive loss of innocent lives of Gazans. Our choice to engage in this mission does not mean we are against a Palestinian statehood. On the contrary, every single one of us prays for a peaceful future and two-state solution. We’ve seen (in alarming detail) what happens when there is no viable path forward for Israeli and Palestinian statehood existing peacefully side by side. We’ve been told it’s impossible. But look where that belief has led us. Unnecessary death, destruction, and trauma that will be felt for generations to come by millions of people in the region and worldwide. This is exactly the right moment to adopt a new way of thinking—to practice our ability to hold multiple truths at one time. To have tikvah—hope. And the first step toward hope, is taking action.

We hope you follow along at the J’s Facebook and Instagram for daily updates; and for a more comprehensive update when we return. Tonight is Shabbat Chol Hamoed Pesach. From my family to yours, I hope you marked this holiday with more curiosity than criticism, and I leave you with these words from Elie Wiesel: “I love Passover because for me it is a cry against indifference, a cry for compassion.”

Am Yisrael Chai.

Ashley Inbar

Chief Development Officer

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CEO Announcement

May 4, 2026

After a four-month, intensive search, we are thrilled to announce that the JCA’s new Chief Executive Officer will be Susan Cohen, presently of London, England. After growing up in Massachusetts, Susan has spent the last 30 years of her career in Italy and the UK, with extensive senior leadership experience in the nonprofit and Jewish communal sectors. We were immediately struck by Susan’s relevant professional experience, but also her thoughtfulness, steady leadership style, clear sense of compassion, and her deep and enduring ties to Jewish life in Maine. Her father was born in Portland and raised in South Portland, and her grandparents were active members of the local Jewish community, where Susan enjoyed visiting regularly throughout her childhood. When considering this opportunity, Susan shared: “The JCA’s mission, especially its commitment to radical inclusivity and cultivating a thriving Jewish community, resonates deeply with me. I am inspired by the JCA’s growth, vibrant programming, and role as a convener across a diverse and expanding population. Uniting people across synagogues, agencies, and the broader community has been a defining feature of my leadership. I would be honored to help lead the organization into its next phase.” In addition to regularly visiting her family in Portland and Bangor as a child, Susan attended Bowdoin College for a year–and volunteered at the Hebrew School at Beth Israel Congregation in Bath!–before finishing her undergraduate degree at Georgetown University. She went on to receive a Masters in Public Policy from Harvard University, and then moved to Europe for international work opportunities. Susan raised her three adult children in London, and is now ready to make the move back to New England to be closer to her parents in the Boston area. We are confident that Susan’s meaningful experience in Jewish communal and social service nonprofit organizations will have a significant positive impact on the entire JCA community. As Executive Director (Chief Executive) of Six Point Foundation, she led a Jewish grantmaking organization supporting Holocaust survivors from inception through successful spend out, building partnerships across the Jewish communal landscape and designing initiatives with long-term impact. She then worked as a member of the senior leadership team at Nightingale Hammerson, a 350-person Jewish eldercare organization based in London. She is currently a senior leader at Oxfam, a global confederation of over 20 independent organizations working in 70+ countries to fight inequality and end poverty through humanitarian aid, long-term development, and campaigns. Throughout these roles, she has exhibited strategic and empathetic leadership, organizational excellence, keen financial oversight, and a deep commitment to inclusion and community building. The JCA Board of Directors would like to thank the Search Committee for all the time, energy, and professionalism that they brought to this process. We’re indebted to Rachael Alfond and Stefanie Levenson, who have been volunteering so generously as Acting Co-Directors during this transition, as well as the entire JCA staff for their ongoing commitment and hard work. We also want to thank JCC Association and our search consultant, Steve Engel, for their incredible support and guidance. Susan will take the next few months to wrap things up in London and make the big move to Maine, starting as CEO of the JCA in early August. We are all excited about welcoming her to our community this summer and to the work ahead under her leadership. Stay tuned for opportunities to meet Susan and help her settle into her new role and life here in the coming months!

2026 Mitzvah Day

April 22, 2026

On behalf of the entire team at the JCA, thank you to everyone who participated in the second annual JCA Mitzvah Day! This year, 87 volunteers gave back across 8 service sites, making a meaningful impact in our community. We are truly grateful to all who took the time to be part of this special day. We hope you’ll stay connected with us as we offer a variety of volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Thank you for being part of this shared effort of Tikkun Olam—repairing our world, one act at a time. Your presence and energy made a real difference.