Earlier this week, a small group of our young adult leadership "hit the phones" to help close out the campaign.   Their efforts resulted in a 25% person for person increase on all the campaign commitments they closed.  They had a shared experience as they came together in a room, enjoyed a few adult beverages and worked on behalf of the community.

 

I had my own shared experience with my son this week.  He will head off to his overnight camp shortly.  At his camp, boys are expected to put on tefillin six days a week.   Now that he is 13 years old (in Jewish years), this will be his first summer with this requirement.  He and I took time making sure he knows how to put the tefillin on, recite the blessings, take them off and wrap them up.  Doing this with him was a powerful moment for me knowing I am passing on another Jewish tradition, something my father taught me and his father taught him.

 

I hope you all find those shared Jewish experiences that ignite your connection to the Jewish people.  Our community is rich with opportunities within agencies and synagogues and with informal groups of individuals.  And, I hope each of us finds a way to welcome someone less engaged to join in.

 

Shabbat Shalom.

 

P.S.  I will not be writing next week, so consider this my wishing you an early Shabbat Shalom for next Friday!