One of my favorite commentaries that Rabbi Alan Lachtman, the longtime rabbi at Temple Beth David, used to share during his remarks at Rosh Hashanah services each year was that the year ahead is like a clean white piece of paper. It is void of anything on it, ready for people to make their imprint on the year ahead. This is what I often think about as a new secular year begins.
Our Jewish Federation works hard each day to make our local Jewish community vibrant through the programs and services we provide, while also ensuring that there is a strong Jewish voice ready to speak out on behalf of all of us.
For this month’s column, I asked my staff to share what they were looking forward to in 2026.
Karen Galeana (Operations and Communication Manager)
I am looking forward to continuing to strengthen meaningful connections across our community while ensuring our work remains responsive, inclusive, and impactful. I am excited to deepen engagement by creating more opportunities for individuals and families to feel welcome, informed, and inspired to participate in our Jewish Federation’s programs and activities. By combining clear, approachable communication with well-run, intentional operations, I look forward to supporting our organization’s evolving needs, amplifying our collective voice, and helping our Jewish Federation serve as a trusted hub that brings people together, supports one another, and sustains vibrant Jewish life throughout our community.
Natalie Karic (PJ Library and PJ Our Way Program Director)
In 2026, I am so excited to spread the word about PJ Library’s Get Together Grant Program. Sponsored by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, this fantastic opportunity provides $100 microgrants to families hosting Jewish-themed gatherings with other Jewish families in their community. Think Shabbat in the park, a group hike and picnic for Tu BiShvat, or volunteering together and going for bagels afterwards. This program is available to all PJ Library subscribers, with basically no strings attached, except for submitting a short report about the hosted gathering! I cannot wait to hear all about the fun activities and gatherings from the PJ families that participate.
Annabella Tornek (Camp Gan Shalom Director and Social Media Coordinator)
2025 was quite a challenging year. With the loss of so much in Altadena, including the Pasadena Jewish Temple, and with the rise of antisemitism, the need for our Jewish Federation is more apparent than ever. In 2026, I am looking forward to continuing to run Camp Gan Shalom and providing a fun, safe, and engaging Jewish Day Camp experience in our community.
Cantor Judy Sofer (Cultural Arts Program Director)
I am looking forward to three specific things in 2026. First, I am excited that we will be publishing our Jewish Cooking Connection Cookbook to share with the community, highlighting the 38 recipes we have featured. Second, are the three productions (two plays and our annual Holocaust staged play reading) that our JFed Players will be performing. And lastly, I am looking forward for Kol HaEmek (our community choir) to continue performing around the community and hopefully picking up a few more singers.
Rebecca Russell (Program and Community Outreach Director)
2026 has so many incredible programs already planned. This year’s Ladies of Laughter Comedy Fest: Celebrating Funny Jewish Women is the thing I am most looking forward to. In its expanded version, we’ll bring in venues from all over our community, and we’ll see even more hilarious ladies inspiring and healing us through comedy. March will not only celebrate Jewish women this year, but also give us all a much-needed communal release of laughter.
And for me, personally, I am looking forward to continuing to engage with people and create meaningful, impactful opportunities for them to connect with our local Jewish community.
Let’s make 2026 a year of connection, growth, and shared purpose for our entire local Jewish community.
Jason Moss is executive director of the Jewish Federation of the Greater
San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys.
