TONIGHT IS SEVENTEEN DAYS, WHICH IS TWO WEEKS AND THREE DAYS, OF THE OMER
Being Jewish means so many things to me that is impossible to capture it in 150 words or less so I am going to focus on one thing it means to me, COMMUNITY. Being a Jewish woman brings me the comfort of belonging to a community that has traditions and beliefs that have guided me and my community for thousands of years. For example, when I light Shabbat candles on Friday night, I treasure being part of a community of people that connects me to generations of women in my family going back hundreds of years. I also love that it connects me to a community of Jews around the world who are also observing Shabbat. Another example of how I feel part of a community is that following the commandment of “welcoming the stranger” and working with God to create a more just, caring and compassionate world helps me join in and create communities wherever I am. Whether I am visiting a new synagogue or Jewish organization and feel the warm welcome and embrace of other Jews or joining in or with Jewish groups who are fighting for Social Justice I instantly feel part of a community. Being Jewish means I can always find community, a home, here in New York, across the country, the world and of course in Israel.
