Dear JCOGS family,
A couple of days ago I got to be a fly-on-the-wall in a conversation for teens about racism. Just watching, not participating. I was struck profoundly by the teens’ persistence—to ask questions, to push the why, to not settle for because, to echo one another with great question.
I feel the same way, too. A bright spark of hope shone through the darkness, not because there were answers, but because there was peaceful, if angry, discourse among Jewish teenagers seeking a Jewish way to understand the hate and racial injustice in this world. Where the organizers expected a few dozen teens to show up, over 100 logged in, including a teen representing our youth group, Ateed.
This kind of deep engagement with the Jewish approach to life has been evident throughout our school year. Over the course of close to 30 Wednesday afternoons this past year at Olam Chesed—now on screens in homes from Waitsfield to Craftsbury—we have created and experienced moments that are indelible and spark wonder. Moments that echo the blessings of “wow, please, and thanks”.
We’ve been building Olam Chesed עולם חסד, a world of lovingkindness, one week at a time. Tapping into Torah, blessing, and the joy and trials of being together as a community. And this evening we’re so excited for you to join us in celebrating that year!
Together we will remember that kol ha’olam kulo gesher tzar me’od/the whole wide world is a very narrow bridge but the main thing to recall is to have no fear at all. Join us as Rabbi David and the youth lead us in raising our voices in song, as we amplify the blessing we send out to the world, and as we revisit the magic we’ve created over this past wondrous year.
It will be the bright spark in your week.
Shabbat Shalom,
Beth Liberman
Director of family and youth education