Dear Friend, 2024 has been a year of incredible growth for Chabad of Sarasota, as we continue working tirelessly to meet the needs of our ever-expanding community. Throughout the past year, we’ve broadened our adult education and programming, complementing the Kaplan Preschool, the Weinstein Jewish Enrichment Program, and the Women’s Circle—all of which provide meaningful and inspiring Jewish experiences. Our holiday celebrations, such as the Sukkot Petting Zoo, A Taste of Chanukah Festival, Pre-Chanukah Comedy Night, Purim events, Communal Seders, Lag B’Omer festivities, and the Shavuot Dairy Dinner, were enthusiastically embraced by our growing community. The annual Dr. Leonard Schwartzbaum Longevity Symposium has earned a stellar reputation for hosting highly sought-after speakers. At the same time, the expansion of weekly adult education classes has transformed the Chabad Center into a vibrant hub for Torah study. This year also saw the launch of new initiatives, including the Mommy and Me program for young families, the Lunch N Learn monthly meetup, Russian-Style Chanukah Celebration, and daily Mincha-Maariv services—each bringing participants together in enriching and meaningful ways. However, as we celebrate our progress, we have also encountered a significant challenge. Hurricane Milton caused extensive damage to our center, severely impacting the playground, fence, shed, outdoor sign, and roof. These repairs are essential to restore the safety, functionality, and vibrancy of our beloved community space. As we approach the close of 2024, we are launching our End-of-Year MATCH-A-THON! For the next seven days, every dollar donated will be matched by the generous support of Jeffrey and Sheryl Isaac, Dr. Ted Simon, Dr. Barry and Anne Stein, and Kirk Weisman and Jo Ellyn Yturraspe. This means a $100 gift becomes $200, and a $1,000 gift becomes $2,000—doubling the impact of your generosity. Our goal is to raise $100,000 by year’s end to not only sustain our ongoing programs but also address the urgent repairs from Hurricane Milton. Your support will ensure that Chabad of Sarasota continues to be a warm and welcoming home for you and countless others, while also helping us rebuild what was lost. Every gift, no matter the size, helps us achieve this mission. Join the campaign today, and together, let’s close 2024 on a high note! With heartfelt gratitude, Rabbi Chaim and Sara Steinmetz