TLDR: New Theme; bagels are back! See you September 10th!
Dear IFFP Community,
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am writing to offer a warm welcome to the 2023 – 2024 year at the Interfaith Families Project of Greater Washington, D.C.
Let’s Hear it for the Theme
This year at IFFP will be bright, illuminated by the creativity and energy of our community–led by our clergy, Rabbi Debbie and Reverend Sam–as we explore “Our Living Stories.” This theme builds on last year’s question, “What is Love?,” and will weave together our narratives: unique and shared, ancient and emerging. From ancient times, storytelling has strengthened the ties that bind us. At IFFP, we engage in storytelling over Zoom, across classroom desks, through coming-of-age questions, and with handshakes and hugs over the backs of our chairs at Gathering. I cannot wait to see you next Sunday–September 10th–and to continue this journey of learning and growing together.
How we Spent our Summer Vacation
We were thrilled to welcome several new members to the Board: Jill Dash, Karen Jackler, and Kristy Tillman. Read their bios on the IFFP website. Over the summer, the Staff and Board engaged in strategic planning for the year ahead, fleshed out our calendar of events with thoughtful reflections and adult group discussions, created an annual report (coming soon!), reviewed our operating procedures and sustainability goals, and recruited volunteers to support a number of critical committees. In less glamorous work, we organized our digital files: IFFP has a fully functional Google Drive and all Staff and Executive Committee members transitioned to “iffp.org” email addresses.
For the first time ever, IFFP participated in the Montgomery County Public Schools Back-to-School fair at Wheaton Mall (it was hot and loud but we learned a lot). Several of our members participated in an interview for the parenting podcast, Newbies (go IFFP Dads!). And in the beginning of the summer, Jill Fioravanti was quoted in the New York Times.
Join a Committee!
The Membership Recruitment and Retention Committee, chaired by Jill Dash, has recruited several enthusiastic members; others are welcome and encouraged.
We are recruiting additional members for the Personnel Committee, chaired by Jill Fioravanti, and seeking members and a chair/co-chair for a new group to focus on serving younger families and couples (the 20s and 30s group). A full list of committees, descriptions, chairs, and members is available on our Google Drive.
Tell your Friends about IFFP!
Spreading the word about IFFP is the best way you can support us–outside of your generous donations at High Holy Days and end of year giving. Share our posts on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or wherever else you find yourself online so that families like yours can also find us and our welcoming community.
I look forward to seeing you September 10th at our first Gathering and Sunday School of the year–in person or virtually–and later that week at Rosh Hashanah services. Please check the Thursday Bulletin or the IFFP calendar for more details.
Yours sincerely,
Jennifer Loukissas
Chair, IFFP Board of Directors
(Doug Lynott, husband; Michael COA grad and intern; David 6th grade)