Crashing into God: Reflecting on a Night of Sacred Responsibility
Last night was transformative for me and for at least 1,700 others. It was UJA-Federation New York’s Wall Street Dinner, held at the Marriott Marquis, and I don’t think I fully understood — before this moment — the immense power of Jewish philanthropy. I had thought I understood, but now I know I didn’t.
This annual gathering convened leaders, donors, and titans of industry for UJA’s largest fundraiser of the year. The numbers are staggering: 1,700 people in attendance, $55 million raised, and, since October 7, 2023, over $146 million allocated directly to Israel through UJA’s Israel Emergency Fund. These funds have supported critical needs, from providing care for families of hostages to supporting survivors of the Nova Music Festival massacre, from rebuilding Israel’s southern communities tosupporting 80,000+ dislocated residents of Israel’s north.
Last night, the gravity of our work was palpable. Upon entering, each attendee was handed a ticket and a #BringThemHome dogtag, a stark reminder of those still held hostage. The symbolism was unmistakable: these are not just political issues but deeply human ones. As I held the dogtag in my hand, I was overwhelmed by pride in our community’s unwavering commitment to act, even when the world’s conversations grow tense and fraught.
The deepest moment of the evening was Rachel Goldberg-Polin, Hersh’s mother, a voice of profound and humble grace. As she spoke, I was riveted. Her grief was raw, her love unshakable, and her wisdom impossible to ignore. I stood there, humbled and inspired, realizing that her teaching had changed me — not only as a rabbi but as a father, a husband, and a human being. Her presence was a window into the Divine, a reminder that even in our darkest moments, holiness is within reach.
And this, friends, is Torah — not just the ancient words we read but the living Torah we enact through our actions. Last night’s work was nothing short of sacred. The funds raised will support Jews and non-Jews alike, from Israel to Queens, from Krakow to campus, through initiatives like our new Brooklyn Hub, a one-stop social services network open to anyone in need. This is what it means to be a light unto the nations.
As I reflect on last night’s grandeur and the Torah portion this week, Vayetzei, I think of Jacob. Fleeing for his life after deceiving his brother and father, he collapses into sleep on the hard ground, a stone for a pillow. It is there, in his exhaustion, he encounters God. Dr. Avivah Zornberg teaches, in a radical interpretation of the portion’s opening verses that Jacob “crashed into God (‘vayifga bamakom,’ Gen. 28:11).” It wasn’t planned or anticipated. It was a collision born of vulnerability and exhaustion.
Last night, standing in that packed room of heartfelt giving and authentic purpose, I felt like Jacob. I crashed into God — not in a synagogue, not in quiet meditation, but in the faces of those around me and in the relentless work we are all doing to heal the world. In Rachel’s face, in the generosity of thousands, in the collective determination to bring our hostages home, I felt God’s presence.
This moment calls us to action. We cannot rest, though we may feel weary. Like Jacob, even a stone can become a pillow when we pause to reflect. But when we crash into God, we rise transformed. Let us double down on our efforts. Let us channel our prayers and actions toward bringing our people home, strengthening our communities, and healing this fractured world.
This is a moment of sacred work, and it is ours to carry forward.
#BringThemHomeNow