News from Kol Ami

on Sunday, 22 November 2015.

Two weeks ago I attended the URJ Biennial in Orlando where 5000 members of the Reform movement gathered to study, learn, pray, sing and connect with likeminded Jews from around North America. What struck me about the Biennial was how we as a small community in Thornhill, Ontario, fit in with the wider movement and how our Reform movement has so much to offer Jews living in 2015, whether they are members of a synagogue or are currently unaffiliated. We are the movement that is fighting for religious plurality in Israel, that stands for the rights of those in our community regardless of sexual orientation or identification, and the movement that is welcoming of those in our community from interfaith families.

“Audacious hospitality” is the term the URJ is using to describe our efforts to engage seekers – Jews who are unaffiliated and under-engaged – and to help them find meaning in Judaism. This past Friday I met several people who, through our Meetup advertising, decided to attend our Rock Shabbat service. They were blown away by the experience and I hope they will be inspired to attend again in the future. It is our innovative approach, the welcoming nature of our community that will attract people to Kol Ami in the future and I thank you on behalf of the leadership for helping to make these newcomers to Kol Ami feel welcome.

If you would like to learn more about our movement I encourage you to watch the keynote speech given by Rick Jacobs, the URJ President to the attendees of the Biennial. 

L’Shalom,

Mark.