The first week of September is synonymous with “back to school,” a return to the full intensity of work and life after the lull of summer. But as we know well, this summer — tragically — was very different. Since the first weeks of July, we’ve been consumed with the crisis in Israel — mourning with Israel, rallying to voice our support, and traveling on missions to express that support in person. With our partners on the ground, we ensured that Israelis had what was needed to cope during the crisis, and now we’ll continue to be there as they heal from a summer spent under siege. Our hope is that with stability restored, Israel’s children, like all children, will return to school unencumbered by fear.

As we take this all in, a remarkable achievement needs to be recognized, one that fuels our response to crisis and everything else that we make possible. The 2014 Annual Campaign concluded on June 30th, raising $146.9 million. With an additional $27.6 million in planned giving and endowments and $11.5 million in capital gifts and special initiatives, a total of $186 million was raised this past year.

It’s the dollars raised through these campaigns that strengthen our network of agencies and grantees year after year. Through our strategic allocations of these funds, agencies are able to prepare for and respond to crises — whether rockets in Israel, war in Ukraine, or, as we experienced in 2012, a hurricane in our own backyard. And even as they are dealing with crises, agencies are carrying on the “usual” essential work of feeding, counseling, igniting Jewish journeys, and so much more. That’s the power of UJA-Federation of New York’s unique network.

All this is made possible because of your generosity and the generosity of tens of thousands of other New Yorkers who come from widely diverse backgrounds, but share a belief that we can do more good when we come together. To you and every one of our donors, big and small — thank you.

I also want to acknowledge John Ruskay, my predecessor, who led this campaign in his final year as CEO. In fitting tribute to John’s visionary leadership, more than $4 million was raised for the Ruskay Institute for Jewish Professional Leadership, which will engage in the vital work of training top-flight Jewish professionals for generations to come.

John was joined every step of the way by General Campaign Chair Jeff Stern, a brilliant and committed cadre of lay leaders and volunteers, and a team of professionals led by Mark Medin, who push themselves year after year to reach new heights.

The dollars raised are critical — but what really matters is what this money makes possible. For a teen from Sderot, a city hard hit by rockets from Gaza, it’s psychological counseling. For a Holocaust survivor in Ukraine, it’s food and medicine. For a mother in New York with a son or daughter on the autism spectrum, it’s a community standing with her and making sure her child has every opportunity to live a full life.

In this month of Elul that precedes Rosh Hashanah, we begin to reflect on the year past and the new beginnings ahead. How fortunate we are to have one another to carry us through days of crisis … and, now, into a new year filled with possibility.

Shabbat shalom