7/2/26

JFO Update from Stacy Feldman

Building on the Past, Strengthening the Future

Greetings! My name is Stacy Feldman, and I recently began as the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s very first Chief Impact Officer and I have the honor of addressing you right before our country’s most celebrated day.

As we approach the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, we’re reminded that this milestone is rooted in a bold vision—the belief that people working together can shape a stronger, more meaningful future. In Jewish tradition, this idea is reflected in the value of tikkun olam—our shared responsibility to repair the world—and l’dor v’dor, the understanding that the impact we create today carries forward from generation to generation.

In my new role, I think about impact in a similar way. Not simply as what we do, but as the difference we make, and how that difference is experienced by the community that we serve.
My focus right now is twofold.

First, I am working to ensure that everything we do is grounded in meaning and purpose, and that our work helps people feel a genuine sense of belonging within our community. To that end, I’ve been speaking with community members to better understand how they experience our community and the work we do—what resonates, where there are gaps, and how we can strengthen connection.

Simultaneously, I’m focused on helping our agencies better articulate what we do, how we do it, and why it matters through the lens of data. This is key to communicating the positive effects of our work throughout the community. Alongside this, I’m creating an Impact Toolkit to help us tell our stories more clearly, thoughtfully, and effectively—so that when you read them, you’ll immediately understand the impact of the work we do, day-in and day-out.

Just as the founders of our country asked what kind of future they wanted to build, we ask similar questions about Jewish Omaha: How do we ensure that our work is purposeful? How do we foster deeper belonging? How do we create impact that endures?

I look forward to continuing this work together—and to elevating the incredible work we already do while ensuring it remains meaningful, not only for today, but for generations to come.

Wishing you a joyful Fourth of July,
Stacy