Community

A few events from this past week have led me to think a great deal about community. To start, there was a new parent check-in on Tuesday where parents came to hear about programs and events for the rest of the year. More importantly, they were her because of their commitment to carve out time in their family's busy schedules for events going on at SAJ. On Friday night we had a spirited family service followed by lots of kids playing and a good community conversation amongst the adults. This was all capped off yesterday with our bake sale for Haiti and Tu Bishevat celebration. The building was buzzing with energy as parents came to pitch in, spending extended periods of time out in the subzero temperatures, cutting fruit for the Tu Bishevat celebration, socializing with each other and ending the day by sitting with their kids and singing songs of celebration for Tu Bishevat.

Watching parents and kids alike connecting with each other, making plans, sharing experiences, making a difference, was extremely gratifying and a bit poignant. I felt I was watching the bonds of community solidifying before my eyes. Events in my own life of late have lent to this poignancy for me. I grew up involved in a Jewish youth group and recently a family tragedy befell one of the former members from my age cohort. It has been astounding to watch people some of whom have not been in touch for over 20 years come out of the woodwork to ask what can be done, to help provide support, and to relish the bittersweet opportunity to reconnect with each other. We did not know it at the time, but as we all spent time together 20 years ago and more, we were laying the ground for lasting bonds and a strong community. I can't help but see the goings-on of the last week through this lens. I know that years from now, perhaps even decades, many of these connections will remain. Someday in the future I know that one of you will find yourself in a profound moment - hopefully of celebration, perhaps of need - and you will turn to people from this place.

We sometimes find it difficult to define "community" and know exactly what it takes to successfully build it. I have been through the experience of successful community building at least once in my life and I know that it takes meaningful connection to do so. I also know that the exchanges, the energy, the connections that I was privileged enough to be part of last week at SAJ had the same feel. I felt gratified that we are creating something greater than ourselves. We are building a wonderful community and that is the kind of investment that is a sure one and will pay dividends long into the future.