ALBANY­–After three years of advocacy and community engagement, Amidah Albany will transition to continuing its mission and key initiatives under the umbrella of Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York (JFNENY). This transition ensures that the work pioneered by Amidah will be sustained and expanded through the Federation’s resources, reach, and community leadership. As part of this effort, the Federation is strengthening its commitment to combating anti-Jewish hate, advancing civic engagement, and building a more connected and resilient Jewish community.

Amidah Albany, formed in the aftermath of the October 7 terrorist attacks in Israel and the subsequent explosion of anti-Semitism in communities around the world, is a grassroots organization devoted to standing up for the Capital Region Jewish community, advocating for Israel, and fighting anti-Semitism however and whenever it occurs.

To preserve and advance the mission that has guided Amidah Albany since its founding, JFNENY Board Chairwoman Mindy Holland has established the new Amidah Committee of Federation. The committee chairpersons will be Federation board members and Amidah co-founders Deborah Zamer and Dee Levy and will be largely comprised of Amidah Albany’s current membership, including original co-founder Simona Fish. According to Holland, under their leadership, the committee will remain dedicated to supporting Israel, combating anti-Jewish hate, and ensuring that the voice of the Jewish community remains strong throughout the region.

Amidah co-founder Laura Weisblatt has been named JFNENY director of civic engagement and education. Weisblatt has led the efforts of Amidah for the past three years. In her new role, she will oversee community-wide education, civic mobilization, and initiatives to combat anti-Jewish hate, including anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism. She is among the first professionals hired nationwide through Frontline, a Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) initiative designed to strengthen local advocacy, community relations, and efforts to address rising anti-Semitism.

The JFNA Frontline initiative is a $35 million effort backed by 25 philanthropic funders. It aims to add 100 dedicated community relations and advocacy professionals to local teams across 120 federations in North America. These roles are designed to address the dramatic rise in anti-Semitism through local and state advocacy, stronger engagement with K-12 and higher education institutions, and deeper interfaith and intergroup partnerships.

“We are thrilled to welcome Laura to this essential new role and to carry forward Amidah’s important mission within the Federation,” said Rob Kovach, president and CEO of JFNENY. “This investment strengthens our ability to educate, advocate, and build partnerships throughout the region at a time when those efforts are more important than ever.”

“I am deeply honored to step into this role as part of a vital national movement,” said Weisblatt. “Building coalitions, educating our neighbors, and advocating for our community’s safety and dignity have never been more important. I look forward to working alongside our local civic, interfaith, and educational partners to push back against bias and ensure that Northeastern New York remains a welcoming home for all.”