Shalom Austin professionals and Austin Jewish community leaders attend the General Assembly Nov. 10-12, 2024. Top row L to R: Levi Fox, Marcia Silverberg, Emily Shrode, Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus, Jennifer Failla, Joshua Hoffman, Lauren Halpern; Bottom row L to R: Wendy Goodman, Marianne Rochelle, Lecia Sud, Kim Schocket, Rachel Stern, Alachua Haskins, Amy Hyman, Cara Kelly. Courtesy: Shalom Austin 

By Wendy Goodman 

More than 2,500 Jewish community leaders, including 16 from Austin, came together in Washington D.C. for Jewish Federations of North America’s General Assembly on November 10-12. This annual gathering covers critical topics impacting Jewish communities locally and globally, fosters collaboration and celebrates Jewish life.   

With the rise of antisemitism, this year’s conference served as a timely opportunity for Jewish professionals to convene, connect, plan and take action. Attendees participated in educational sessions, interactive workshops and featured plenaries.  

The conference presented a diverse lineup of prominent speakers, including Israeli President Isaac Herzog, U.S. Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand, Political Commentator George Will, The Free Press Founder Bari Weiss, Lean In Founder Sheryl Sandberg, Max Webb Emeritus Rabbi of Sinai Temple Rabbi David Wolpe, JFNA Board of Trustees Chair Julie Platt, JFNA President and CEO Eric Fingerhut, and many more, who delivered compelling messages about the global challenges facing the Jewish people. Their words resonated deeply with attendees, sparking conversations that extended far beyond the conference halls.   

Former hostages, family members and survivors of the October 7 attack were also in attendance to share their impactful and heart wrenching stories and call to urgently bring home the remaining hostages still held captive by Hamas in deplorable and dangerous conditions in Gaza.  

The conference kicked off with the “Stand Together” rally at Nationals Park featuring speeches and entertainment from Tiffany Haddish, The Idal Raichel Project and others.