Earlier this week, I travelled to Washington D.C. to participate in the Jewish Federations of North America’s General Assembly, which  convenes Jewish leaders from across North America to address today’s most pressing issues and set the agenda for the year ahead.

Over the course of many discussions, one theme rose again and again—the importance of "leaning in" to the moment and dreaming bigger. Whether it’s ensuring a vibrant Jewish future, fostering connection to Israel, or strengthening engagement, our collective dreams are bold. However, as one speaker challenged us, we have to ask ourselves if  "our dreams match today's opportunity?  Are we reaching high enough?"  

This week’s Torah portion, speaks directly to this idea. When Sarah hears that she will have a child in her old age, she laughs. It’s a laugh of disbelief, as if the dream is too audacious, too impossible to take seriously. But God’s response is striking: “Is anything too wondrous for the Lord?” Sarah’s laughter reminds us of our own tendency to doubt our dreams, to wonder if they’re too ambitious or unrealistic. Yet we are challenged to reject that skepticism. We must never laugh at our dreams. Instead, we must question if we’re dreaming big enough to match the potential of what could be.

At the General Assembly, we shared dreams of what a thriving Jewish community could look like—where every person feels connected and valued, where Jewish life is rich and meaningful, where our children are proud of their heritage and confident in their future.

To get there, we spoke about bold strategies: Investing in relationships, building communities where every individual feels seen and supported, creating innovative ways to teach our heritage that resonate with today’s learners and strengthening bonds across our differences.  

Dreaming alone isn’t enough. Like Sarah, we must take those dreams seriously and act on them, even when the path seems daunting. Sarah’s dream of having a child wasn’t just personal; it was the foundation of the Jewish people’s future. Similarly, our communal dreams today will shape the Jewish world for generations to come.

As we light Shabbat candles tonight, let’s take a moment to reflect on our shared dreams. What kind of community do we want to build? Are we bold enough in our vision? And how can we, as individuals and as a United Jewish Community, take the next steps to make those dreams a reality?

Shabbat Shalom, 

Eric Maurer
CEO 
emaurer@ujcvp.org