10/31/2021 10:25:09 AM
Oct31
It is a coincidence, but I have attended a few reunions in the past week. I used to play soccer on a women’s adult team and a member of the team got the group back together for her birthday. She said she couldn’t picture another group of people she would rather be with to celebrate turning 60. A friend from high school was in town and several of us had an impromptu reunion over lunch. And the Jewish leadership cohort I participated in for a year met for the first time since the pandemic for a reunion happy hour. All these very different groups of people are so important to me and represent an important part of my life and growth. They are each an example of small groups dedicated to learning or achieving something together that connected us to something much bigger.
This got me thinking about our congregation. How is each member connected to the whole? Is it through a committee? Lifelong friends who are members? Attending minyan or Shabbat services? What is it that connects us each to the whole congregation? For me it was the facilities committee. Working closely with members of the committee to figure out and make recommendations on how to proceed with our building was my path to feel connected to the whole congregation. Now? It is our fabulous staff that are such a joy to work with every day.
The leadership, led by Gary Kodner and Joel Portman, has been focused on engagement. We are focused on providing opportunities for you to find that group of like-minded people within the congregation who make the shul your Jewish home. As we learn how to live with COVID-19 and what it is safe to do, we are providing more opportunities to gather in person for services, celebrations and other activities. Watch the website, read the e-mails, see what we are doing and look for that place where you can find your group. And if you don’t see it? Want to try something new? Just call. Let’s talk about it. Chances are someone else is interested too.
My claim to fame playing soccer? I had a pretty mean kick and could send the ball far down the field. Best part of playing? When I get back together with this group of women I know I am with my team.
Last week we hosted a meeting and building tour for the Federation’s JPro Building Managers Affinity Group. Sponsored by the Jewish Federation, this is a group of professionals responsible for managing their buildings that meet throughout the year to share information and update each other on their building projects. It was wonderful to host the first in-person meeting since the pandemic and be the tour guide for this group of knowledgeable professionals. The response was great with questions about lighting and HVAC controls and lots of interest in how we incorporated legacy artwork throughout the building. I love showing people our building as we have such a wonderful story to tell.
Members of the JPro Building Managers Affinity Group
Fri, May 2 2025
4 Iyyar 5785
MISSION: Create a welcoming community that embraces Torah, meaningful worship, lifelong learning, music, Israel, and tikkun olam, guided by the tenets of Conservative Judaism.
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Friday 9am – 3pm
Phone: 314-727-1747
Fri, May 2 2025 4 Iyyar 5785