Many Precious Communities

by Rabbi Debra Smith

Earlier today, I received an email from someone who is part of a Zoom community that I attend and help lead. The person mentioned in their email how important belonging to such a community is to their life.

This led me to spend a lot of time reflecting on communities that I have been a part of and how important community is to my life.

In these challenging times, I think being part of supportive, loving, compassionate communities
is  critical to our welfare.

If I were to take the time to list all of the different types of communities I am part of, the list would be very long.

Needless to say, I am part of several in-person and virtual Jewish communities. I participate in academic and continuing education communities virtually as well as in person and I participate in social communities both online and in person.

Some communities are more interactive than others, and the size of each of these communities varies. I can say for certain  that being part of each one provides a unique, supportive and enriching experience to me, and I am eternally grateful for their presence in my life.

Belonging to a community gives me a sense of being part of something larger than myself. I gain friendship and enjoy a diversity of relationships, meeting people I would not normally meet in person in my local environment. I experience a variety and diversity of backgrounds and am exposed to people of many educational levels and interests. I also have the opportunity to interact with people of similar interests as well that I don’t necessarily find locally. Finally, by joining a community, whether online or in person, I am able to choose people of similar interest and backgrounds to my own.

I feel so fortunate to be part of the Chai Mitzvah community and I have the opportunity through my teaching to help build the virtual community of Chai Mitzvah.

Over the past years, we have built quite an extensive and diverse community and I have had the opportunity to interact with and learn from people from all over this country and other countries as well. Our community provides support and vibrant friendship to so many people.

In a time when isolation is in epidemic proportions, the blessing of being part of a  community or more than one community, is truly a healing and rich experience.

May we all be blessed with the gift of community.