A friend once pointed out to me that Jews haven’t traditionally built cathedrals because we never know how long we’re going to be in one place. We are, however, very good at building communities wherever in the world we find ourselves. Strong local community has been the operating system of the Jewish People and the key to our ability to survive and thrive for thousands of years.

When new immigrants came to Boston in the mid-to-late 19th and early 20th century, they, too, built a community and its institutions: synagogues, human services organizations, schools, community centers, and more. These institutions are powered in part by tzedakah, the voluntary financial contributions of families and individuals to support one another and sustain the community.

Then, 130 years ago, the leaders here in Boston realized that we could give more, invest those dollars more wisely, and create a bigger impact if we did it together. Thus was formed the first Jewish Federation, ultimately called Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP).

While CJP is technically 130 years old, I believe we are actually a few thousand years old; the first “annual campaign” took place after the Israelites received the Torah as they prepared to journey through the wilderness toward the Promised Land. This fundraising effort, which would power the first collective building project of the Jewish People — the building of the Mishkan, the Tabernacle — is found in this week’s Torah portion, Terumah.

Here’s the idea of the Mishkan: how do you take a group of former slaves who are semi-organized into families and tribes, and create a sense of connection, collective responsibility, and purpose? Have them build a structure that would rest in their midst and travel with them wherever they went, representing their highest values and aspirations. The Mishkan was a reminder that we are connected to something larger than ourselves and, through that connection, to one another.

So how would the Israelites build this physical structure, the symbolic embodiment of what community is all about? Everyone would contribute something. Give what you can. Bring what you have. Every person had a role to play in the building of the Mishkan, just as they do in the building of community.

Last week, CJP released our once-every-decade 2025 Greater Boston Community Study. It is a portrait of who we are today, 130 years since CJP’s founding and six decades since our community conducted the first study of this kind in the country. I encourage you to explore the key findings and the 12 different topical reports that cover many aspects of our community and Jewish life. You can also watch the official launch of the study online.

In the spirit of this week’s Torah portion, I want to share one data point from the study that really inspired me: 80% of people in our community gave tzedakah in the past year. This foundational Jewish value, this mitzvah (commandment) that the first generation of Israelites received, is still alive and well in the hearts and minds of our 21st-century American Jewish community right here in Greater Boston.

In a world where so many things seem to divide us, there are still values and commitments that unite us regardless of background, Jewish denomination, or political affiliation. Tzedakah is one of these, a practice that strengthens our community.

I am not surprised, of course, because I see the extraordinary generosity of our community every day in the individuals, volunteers, and leaders who step up and show up in so many ways. But I am filled with gratitude that the spirit of giving that built the Mishkan and has sustained our People for millennia continues to power the thriving, multidimensional, joyful Jewish community that we are building — together.