I am so glad that my parents moved to the city… or, more specifically, the town I grew up in, shortly before I was born. It was a small city in the East Bay of Northern California. Monrovia, the city our Jewish Federation has called home for over 10 years, reminds me a lot of what my hometown felt like. It had the feeling of an all-American city… where people enjoyed walking through the streets and attending city-wide celebrations like the annual Fourth of July parade and chili cookoff, or the annual tree lighting the day after Thanksgiving, when the entire city gathered around the big oak tree in the center of town as it was lit. Although I never truly appreciated it for what it was as a child and teen, I have come to realize how impactful it was in my development and how it illustrated for me the power of community.

 

Our Jewish Federation focuses a lot of attention and energy on community… working each day to bring our vast community together. In fact, even though we represent the Jews living in 48 different cities, when I speak publicly, I make a point of clearly articulating that we are one community. And during this time of division and the unprecedented climate we are in that has allowed hate to manifest and grow like a plague, my goal continues to be to make sure that people do not feel isolated and alone as we confront these challenges… together as one. For me, that is the greatest power that community provides.

 

I was once again reminded of this power over this past weekend. My family and I attended an amazing fundraising event for a nonprofit community theater based in Altadena. This organization lost everything, and the event was billed to help them get back on their feet and provide the type of programs that the community, especially youth, has appreciated for the last number of years. After the devastation and destruction we have witnessed, and many in our community have personally experienced due to the Eaton Fire, people from all walks of life and all across the area came together for a celebration and to do something good to help strengthen our community. It was a powerful reminder for me of why our Jewish Federation does what it does.

 

For over thirty years, our Jewish Federation has offered programs that we strongly believe not only strengthen our community but also bring people together. There is a deep tradition within Judaism that we are supposed to be a part of the community. It is why certain prayers, like the Mourner's Kaddish, are only able to be said when a minyan (10 people) is present. And, in Pirkei Avot 2:4, Rabbi Hillel is famously quoted to have said…Al tifrosh min hatzibur (Do not separate yourself from the community). We are instructed to be part of our community so we do not feel alone, and because, through community, we are part of something bigger than ourselves.  

 

With the unofficial start of summer having begun yesterday, I hope you will plan to participate in the community over the next several months. Whether it is attending a summer concert in the park, going to a street fair or farmers market, joining us on Sunday at Kol HaEmek’s Shir Delights concert, or just gathering with friends and family to barbeque, make a conscious choice to be surrounded by others and appreciate that comfort, support, and power community provides.