News from Kol Ami

on Monday, 30 December 2013.

FROM TAL SCHIERAU

Living by Jewish Values

This past month the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) held their Biennial event in San Diego, California. This is a gathering where Jews from all over North America come together to learn and to worship. This year’s Biennial was attended by 5000 people representing 900 Reform Synagogues.

I had the pleasure of attending my first Biennial with four other members of Kol Ami. It was a great event that I likely would not have attended had I not been President of our congregation. Having said that, after attending I found so much value in the conference as an individual, as well as a congregational leader, that I plan to attend future Biennials and I highly recommend that others in our congregation attend as well. It is an experience that brings you closer to our extended Jewish community, as well as an experience that will move you as a Jew.

I was going to write more about the Biennial, but then the ice storm in Toronto came which affected so many of us. As Jews we learn many values like Tikkun Olam and treating others as we would like to be treated. However, in a world as busy and complex as the one in which we live, it’s so easy to get caught up in our own lives that we can miss the opportunity to help those around us. Certainly, an event such as the ice storm provides an opportunity for us to live our values as Jews by helping those around us that are in need.

I witnessed both the good and bad side of people during the ice storm, but it’s the good side that I choose to dwell on. Allow me to share some of the good I saw around me, and in particular within our very own community.

Although conditions were not ideal, our Social Action Committee had planned a lunch for the local Fire Station and ventured out to serve a meal to the fire fighters who protect our homes. Our Rabbi and his family lost power during the storm, and with no extended family in the area this can become a very difficult and challenging time. I was thrilled to learn that one of our members opened their home to our Rabbi’s family so they could have a warm place to stay until their power was returned. My own family home also experienced an extended outage. In our case, we are fortunate to have family who live close to us, but I was overwhelmed with the number of Kol Ami members who reached out to us to offer their homes not knowing that we had a place to stay.

Kol Ami members not only learn about Jewish values and mitzvot in services and Torah study, our community embrace and live by these values and mitzvot. We care about each other and the community around us. We can all take comfort in the fact that at Kol Ami, if you are in need our community will step up to help. At some point in our lives we can all use a hand. When that time comes for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our synagogue leadership, clergy or other members for assistance and support.  

Tal Schierau, President