Jewish Federation of the Berkshires: Resilience and Renewal

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Thursday, March 12, at 7 p.m., Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will present "Resilience and Renewal: Forging the Jewish Future," featuring educator, writer, and advocate Aviva Klompas. 
 
This in-person event will be held at Temple Anshe Amunim, 26 Broad Street in Pittsfield. Register on the calendar of events page at jewishberkshires.org.
 
According to a press release:
 
In a moment marked by war, rising antisemitism, heartbreak, and profound uncertainty, Jewish communities are searching for language, meaning, and direction. Klompas will offer a timely "Jewish state of the union for our time," sharing frameworks to help communities process the challenges of the past two years and reflections on how we can summon the courage, clarity, and collective strength needed to meet this moment. The program will invite participants to reflect, connect, and envision a resilient Jewish future grounded in shared responsibility and purpose.
 
Aviva Klompas is the co-founder and CEO of Boundless, which partners with community leaders to revitalize Israel education and take bold collective action to combat antisemitism. She previously served as Director of Speechwriting for Israel's Permanent Mission to the United Nations and as a senior policy advisor in the Ontario government, supporting efforts to resettle Syrian refugees in Canada.
 
A writer, Klompas has contributed to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, Foreign Policy, The Jerusalem Post, and other international publications. 
 
She is the author of "Speaking for Israel," reflecting on Israeli diplomacy and her work at the United Nations, and Stand-Up Nation: Israeli Resilience in the Wake of Disaster, which explores Israel's longstanding work in international development and crisis response.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Thistle 'N Thorn Floral Announces Closing

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Another North Street business has announced their sudden closure.

Thistle 'N Thorn Floral announced on Instagram that its doors will close. 

"What many people don't see behind a creative business is how much it grows, shifts, and eventually asks more of you than one person can realistically carry. Between the rising costs of flowers, increasing rent, and the sheer volume of work, the business has become almost too successful for one person to sustain alone."

Owner Ashley Davidson opened the shop at 393 North St. a couple years ago and was selling flowers long before that according to her social media history.

Thistle 'N Thorn sold floral arrangements for events like weddings, funerals, and more. She also sold gifts, bouquets and wreaths according to Downtown Pittsfield Inc. Davidson also hosted events and workshops for those to create their own arrangements. 

"While this chapter is closing, I want to be very clear about something. This is not the end for me," Davidson wrote on Instagram.

"I'm incredibly proud of what I built. It took vision, grit, creativity, and a lot of courage. Those things don’t disappear just because a business chapter ends. If anything, they’re the reason I’m confident stepping into whatever comes next."

She also said she will be honoring the weddings and events she has already scheduled and plans to offer more workshops.

 
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