I recently listened to an interview with the legendary Billy Joel and something he said really struck me. Despite being one of the greatest musical artists alive today, after his decades of accomplishments, he fundamentally sees himself as a piano player. At his core, Billy Joel is still the “piano man.”

For these last 13 years of JGO’s existence, I've always been careful to keep our organization true to our core mission and “light on our feet.” But like all Jewish institutions today, the needs of the moment have created extra pressure from so many different directions:

Besides being there for our students on campus, we are a listening ear to concerned parents. We are coaching our alumni experiencing antisemitism in the workplace. We are lobbying grad school administrations to address the issue of antisemitism on their campuses. This of course in addition to our “day job” of running 600+ Jewish programs a year, keeping the lights on, and raising the funds to support it all – it’s easy to feel bombarded.

Our team has welcomed the challenge with vigor and I think we have the stamina and determination to overcome these issues and become an even better organization as a result.

And when it feels like we are getting pulled in almost too many directions, I’ve worked hard to keep us focused on staying true to what JGO is here for:helping grad students find Jewish community and perpetuate Judaism for the next generation.

‍The other week I was invited to speak for our students at UCLA Anderson, the campus where JGO first started 13 years ago. It was great just to hang out with students over lunch like in the old days, talk about Jewish values, and listen to what challenges they are facing. As I left Anderson that day, I felt the same sense of mission I did since the very first night we started this organization.

This mission is what keeps me going when times get tough and the challenges feel too big. We are staying true to our core and staying focused, keeping up what we do best.

I’m no piano man, but just like Billy Joel, I know who I am at my core. And no matter how big and complex JGO’s work becomes, that will always remain the same.

And the words of the great Billy Joel were on my lips: “We're all in the mood for a melody, and you've got us feelin' alright”