News from Kol Ami

on Tuesday, 30 July 2013

FROM TAL SCHIERAU

Community

Several months ago I was thinking about our community and what it means to be a part of Kol Ami. I was reminded of a story about a man who was old and dying. He had ten sons, and one day he summoned them all to come and see him. He told each of his sons to go out, find a stick, and bring it to him. Once all of his sons had returned with their sticks, he told them each in turn to break their sticks, which they did with ease.

He then told them to go out once again, find another stick and bring it back. When they returned, he asked for all of the sticks. He put the sticks together and asked his sons, one at a time, to take the entire goup of sticks and break them. Each tried, but not one of them could break the group of sticks. Once the last son had tried and failed, he told them that just like the sticks, alone they are not as strong as they are together. His message was basically to support each other and together you will always remain strong.

This is not a Torah story, but I like the message it conveys: together we are strong and vibrant. That is our community as I see it. Let me explain. This past summer, we had a number of families who lost loved ones. In our tradition as Jews and as the Kol Ami community, we came together to offer our support during difficult times. Whether it was an ear to bend, a shoulder to cry on, or just someone in need of a hug, our community came together and we helped bring some strength to our fellow Kolamites when they needed it most.

In like fashion, we have had summer services, which at times were led by those in our community. They never skipped a beat and everyone who attended services helped to strengthen the voices of our service leaders. In true Kol Ami fashion, we came together and strengthened each other.

Our community is strong and vibrant because of our members. As we quickly approach High Holy Days, we will worship together as a community. And as the story's message conveys, together our voices will be strong and may we all have a sweet and happy new year.

L'Shanah Tova

Tal Schierau, President