From Keshet CEO Jen Phillips’ speech at the 2025 Keshet Rainbow Banquet.
Wow! Thank you all for being here. Maybe it is the clouds around the room, but I feel like I am floating on air tonight. It is incredible to look around and see so many people who believe in Keshet, our mission, and dreaming big.
Keshet is built on dreams. It’s what we’ve always done.
When our founding families dreamed of a Jewish community where their children could belong, thrive, and grow, they created it.
And as those children grew, Keshet grew with them. When it became clear that we needed to expand our programs for tweens, teens, and adults, we didn’t just meet that challenge—we dared to dream bigger and built new opportunities and programs for every stage of life.
And that bold dream we shared last year—to build a permanent home for Keshet’s future? We’re making it real. The Keshet Community Center is no longer just a vision. We are building it.
But big dreams don’t happen on their own. They need a community of visionaries and doers. They need staff who refuse to settle for “good enough”—who push boundaries and redefine what’s possible. They need families who believe in their children. They need funders who don’t just give but invest—because they understand the power of a dream. And they need people with relentless creativity and unstoppable determination to turn those dreams into reality.
I am in awe every day that Keshet is filled with people like that.
I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some of the most remarkable dreamers I’ve ever met. Michelle Friedman, Keshet’s board chair, is a leader with big ideas and the energy to see them through. Scott and Lynda Canel didn’t just dream about creating a community of belonging—they invested in it, making sure it becomes the standard for generations to come.
I am deeply grateful for Billy Mass, who has never hesitated to ask, “What’s next?” and who has stood by our side every step of the way as we turn that question into action. And Karen Frankenthal, who has poured her heart into Keshet time and time again, ensuring that the next generation of leaders carries forward the same passion and commitment that she has always exemplified.
At Keshet, our families come to us with dreams for their children, but often, we encourage them to dream even bigger. We help parents imagine possibilities they never thought they’d see for their kids. We bring hope, optimism, and a vision for a future that might have once seemed impossible.
I want to introduce you to Keshet’s resident jokester, Benjy. Benjy first came to Keshet at three years old as a day camper. During one summer not long after that, I was speaking with his mom, and I said, “It will be great. One day we’ll get him to overnight camp.” She looked right at me and said, “There’s no way that will ever happen.” But I knew that the seed was planted.
Seven years later, with the support of Keshet staff, Benjy proved her wrong. Not only would he go to overnight camp at Camp Chi, but he would also find a place of belonging there. Benjy went swimming, rode horses, played cards with his cabinmates, and performed in talent shows. Going to overnight camp has been a dream come true—one made possible because Keshet staff truly got to know Benjy, believed in him, and worked with his strengths.
That’s what happens here—Keshet and our families dream together. We walk this path side by side. Along the way, there will be ups and downs. There are moments of triumph and moments that test us. But through it all, we keep moving forward, never losing sight of the bigger picture.
Now, about our biggest dream yet—Keshet’s very own community center.
For many years, I have imagined a place where people of all abilities could come together, not just for programs, but for a true sense of belonging. A space designed for connection, growth, and opportunity. This dream is now coming to life. I’m thrilled to share that our community has raised 90% of our goal.
The new Justin Coe Keshet Community Center will be a home for our transition program, recreation, camps, adult day services, employment training, and social activities—all under one roof.
It will be a place where a young adult can learn job skills in an accessible training kitchen, where a child can make her first friend in an inclusive play space, and where families can find the support they need to dream big for their children’s futures.
None of this would be possible without the vision and commitment of Scott and Lynda Canel. Not long after Keshet’s Board approved moving forward with a capital campaign, Scott called me to say that he had found the building. I was more than a little skeptical—nothing happens that fast. But once I saw the space that is now the Kersten Campus, there was no question that Scott was right. It was the right building in the right location—not separate from the community, but surrounded by it. It has been incredible to see Scott and Lynda in action on this project. Their leadership, generosity, and guidance in so many areas have brought us to this moment.
Scott and Lynda, we are all grateful for you. Thank you so much for giving so much of yourselves to our community.
And this is what I want you to remember tonight: At Keshet, dreams don’t stay dreams; they become reality. A reality where our participants don’t just attend programs—they lead them. Where families don’t just find support—they find a second home. Where our staff don’t just provide support—they create opportunities. Where we don’t just remove barriers—we open doors to endless possibilities.
Just a few years ago, we thought expanding GADOL, our adult day program, was impossible—space, staffing, schedules, and costs stood in our way. But with the creativity and determination of Keshet’s staff and the unwavering support of all of you, we made it happen. Since last year’s banquet, nine more adults are no longer isolated at home—they are engaged in meaningful activities, making friends, and experiencing a sense of purpose and belonging every single day. This is what dreaming big looks like.
When you dare to dream big, you open the door to extraordinary possibilities. In this room are 700 of Keshet’s greatest supporters. Together, there is nothing we can’t achieve. You are Keshet’s community. You are part of the dream. And together, we will continue to dream big, push boundaries, and change lives.
Thank you to everyone here and everyone who worked so hard to make this evening possible.
