News from Kol Ami

on Wednesday, 29 October 2014.

“Why do I have to go to Hebrew School? Can’t I just sleep in?” Put that to a melody of your choosing and you’ll hear the song that frequently opens our Saturday mornings. The details of our response to Matt vary, but the essence of remains the same – we want you to feel part of our Jewish community. Why is this important? What does our community represent? Community is support – in good times and hard times, a group of people to perform ritual with, peers to study with and to perform good deeds. Really, a group in which to practice being the best people that we want to be. Community also develops a sense of identity, a feeling of connection and in special moments a true sense of coming home. None of this transpires overnight, it evolves over time -- sometimes effortlessly and other times because structures and processes are in place. Enter the Relationship Committee!

The Relationship Committee was formed to help strengthen our community. You can see evidence of the Committee’s work already: the conversations that Rabbi Streiffer initiated during the High Holidays; shifting from our New Member Appreciation Luncheon to a Member Appreciation Luncheon; and our well attended Montana’s dinner after the October Rock Shabbat service. There’s more to come. We want to ensure that no one is left on the sidelines at services or programs and that every person who comes into Kol Ami feels welcomed and engaged. We want our community to be here for everyone who needs it -- whether that is service attendance, comfort when illness strikes or asking a question about ritual.
Do you want to join the Relationship Committee? Contact Nicole Arnold at gabnick2004@yahoo.ca. Do you have ideas or feedback? Please share how you think we can make our community even stronger.