Rabbi's Messages

on Monday, 24 June 2013.

RABBI'S MESSAGE FOR JULY 2013

Shhhhhhhhhhh!
Do you hear that sound? It is the collective sigh of relief as July arrives and the Kol Ami program year comes to an end. We have had quite a year!
From celebrating our 25th anniversary, to planning our first Mitzvah Day. From exploring uncharted Biblical territory in Torah study, to welcoming new families into our Religious School. We have been busy – busy learning, praying, singing, socializing, and repairing the world.
Kol Ami is a small community, but our calendar doesn’t reflect our size. We could never do all that we do without the time, dedication, and resources of so many of our members. And so it is worth taking this opportunity to thank all of those who volunteer for Kol Ami. The Hebrew word for volunteer is mitnadev, which means “one who operates on generosity.” As a community, we are so grateful for the generosity of all those who volunteer every day to make us stronger – as committee members, board members, madrichim, and just to help out. All of you are Bonai Kehilah – Community Builders – and Kol Ami is stronger for the time, effort, and passion that you share!
Over the summer, things slow down just a bit at Kol Ami. That gives us all an opportunity to consider our involvement for the coming year. Consider this: a committee of just five people organized all of our Adult Education this past year. Consider this: eight dedicated volunteers planned and implemented our congregation’s very first Mitzvah Day. Consider this: seven passionate individuals helped us celebrate our congregation’s exciting 25th Anniversary. Kol Ami is a place where individuals really do make a difference. So if you haven’t yet, perhaps this is the year to get involved in one of our congregational committees or programs. Be it Adult Education or Youth Education, Social Action or Membership, Finance or Ritual, there is something for everyone!
If you are interested in getting involved in any of these ways, please do not hesitate to contact me to talk it through. I look forward to seeing you at Shabbat services and programs over the summer, and to reconnecting as we begin a new Jewish year.
L’shalom,
Rabbi Micah Streiffer