Dear Friends of DJCF,
Imagine ourselves as Jews in ancient Egypt, enduring forced labor and unspeakable acts of brutality and horror. The physical aspects must have been grueling, but the mental toll even more so. Families were separated, people were demoralized, and dignity was stripped away under the daily terror of the Egyptian reign. That’s why it is even more remarkable to read in our biblical text that one group of enslaved Jews retained their faith and dreams of a better life, the righteous women, who carried the hope and future of our people in their wombs and in their hearts. The Talmud teaches, “There were three excellent leaders for Israel. They were Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.” Miriam was a teacher who led by example, embodying what hope and faith look like in desperate times.
According to Chabad.org, Miriam’s name has two meanings. The first, from the Hebrew root mar, is “bitterness.” Miriam was born at a time when the oppression of our exiled people was at its worst. “They [the Egyptians] embittered their lives with hard work” (Exodus 1:14). She felt that bitterness from her earliest years, witnessing murder and personally experiencing the decrees of the wicked Pharaoh. The second meaning of her name is “rebellion” (from the root meri). We meet Miriam at the same moment a new Pharaoh ascends the throne, introduced under her professional name, Puah. Even as a child, she was an expert in soothing newborns, cooing (from the Hebrew root pa’ah) to calm their cries. According to the Midrash, at just five years old she stood up to the mightiest ruler on earth, boldly rebuking him for his cruelty. As she grew, she evolved into a self-assured leader capable of holding competing realities, the weight of intense pain alongside a fierce refusal to surrender the seeds of faith. Miriam became the mother of rebellion.
One moment that has always stood out to me occurs after the Red Sea collapses on the Egyptian army. The Jewish people begin to sing in gratitude to God. After the men finish, “Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines, dancing” (Exodus 15:20–21). For evacuees fleeing imminent danger, carrying only what they could on their backs and leaving so quickly that their bread did not have time to rise, how did they have the foresight to pack instruments? The hearts of women who had endured such atrocities – tired, tortured, and beaten – somehow held onto the vision of a day when they would once again make music and praise God for miracles they believed would come. The women found meri, Miriam’s spirit of rebellion. As bitter as their lives became, their faith grew stronger. My chosen Hebrew name is Miriam, and I am continually struck by how this once-uninformed decision has intersected with my own modern experiences of bitterness, rebellion, and faith.
Today, the female experience continues to be one of strength and confidence amid despair. Look to the Iranian pursuit of freedom from a longstanding regime of terror, where the simple act of letting your hair down – literally and figuratively – can be punishable by death. Women have been at the forefront of that revolution. They are the Miriam of our moment: brave enough to imagine a prosperous and free future for the Persian people.
Across the world, women are taking active roles in advocating for justice, insisting that compassion and strength are not in conflict. Despite being exiled by God, Miriam was eventually allowed to re-enter the Promised Land, a symbolic nod to the struggle women must endure to be considered equal. “The image of Miriam: her challenges to male leadership, the way she danced, sang, and celebrated the joy of being Jewish, really speaks to Jewish women today,” says author Rebecca Schwartz, whose 2016 book All the Women Followed Her explores Miriam’s emergence as a powerful symbol in the Jewish feminist movement.
As you may know, we are at the height of college scholarship season here at the Foundation. Applications are rolling in as students seek funding from more than 80 different award opportunities. If you or someone you love is currently pursuing higher education, I encourage them to submit an application before the February 16 deadline. Click here to register: College Scholarship Applications
Our scholarship funds reflect the diversity of our donors, each bringing their personal passions and values to their philanthropy. One I’d like to highlight this month, in honor of strong women, is the GJ Hecht Scholarship for Women to Make a Difference. Ms. Hecht established this fund in 2022 to honor women who have the strength, courage, and confidence to blaze a path in business and entrepreneurship with the desire to make an impact on the world. This scholarship supports undergraduate female students majoring in business or entrepreneurship who are making a difference in their communities and our planet through their vision and leadership. Those who know Glenna personally can attest to her positive energy, dynamism, and nurturing approach to strengthening companies and relationships through her HR consulting practice.
As we reflect on Miriam’s legacy, her defiance in the face of injustice, her unwavering faith, and her ability to inspire others to dance even when the world felt unbearably heavy, we are reminded that every generation needs its Miriam. Women who refuse to let bitterness define them. Women who rebel against despair by choosing hope. Women who carry tambourines not because life is easy, but because they believe a moment of celebration will come. At the Foundation, we are honored to support the next generation of leaders who embody that same spirit. May we continue to uplift those who boldly dream, act courageously, and shape a future worthy of their resilience.
Who We Are: Inside the DJCF Mission
I’m excited to share something special with you.
Over the years, many of you have asked thoughtful questions about how the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation (DJCF) works to support our community – stewarding charitable assets, supporting donors’ philanthropic goals, and strengthening our partner nonprofit agencies to help ensure a vibrant Jewish future. To bring greater clarity to our mission, we’ve created a short informational video designed to demystify our role and impact within the communities we serve.
Please click the video below to gain a clear, accessible look at what our team and volunteer leaders do to:
- manage and grow philanthropic funds responsibly
- partner with professional advisors to help donors achieve their philanthropic goals
- support vital programs and communal institutions
- plan for long-term, evolving community needs
I hope you’ll take a few minutes to watch and share it with others who may be interested in learning more about the Foundation. Thank you for your continued trust, partnership, and commitment to our community. Your support makes our work possible.
THIS THURSDAY:
Jewish Heritage Night at the Fort Worth Rodeo
Join us on February 5 for Jewish Heritage Night at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo!
Join us at Limmud
We are proud to be a community partner of Limmud Dallas! Join us on Feb. 15 at the Aaron Family JCC for Dallas’s second annual Festival of Jewish Ideas! Click the button below to register.
“One Night” With President George W. Bush
The Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas invites the community to “One Night” with President George W. Bush on February 17, featuring a timely conversation on Israel, regional security, and the urgent need to combat antisemitism.
Ann & Nate Levine Academy Gala
Join the Ann & Nate Levine Academy on Sunday, March 1 for the Levine Academy Gala, a night of celebration and community in support of our school’s mission and honoring Tom Elieff, Head of School, for his 12 years of dedication and leadership. Purchase your tickets today and get ready to bid on exciting auction items that help make a lasting impact. Click the button below to learn more!
Scholarships
Scholarship season has begun at the DJCF!
- Full-time students for college scholarships now until February 16, 2026.
- Scholarships based on financial need are available for overnight Jewish camp from now until February 17, 2026.
- For more information, please click the buttons below.
Social Media
Follow us on social media to get the latest updates, stories, and a behind-the-scenes look at what we do. Join our growing community and be the first to know what’s new! Click on the links below to follow us.
