KA CC Archive Mar 2025

Shalom Kol Ami!

Purim is a holiday of joy, celebration, and deep communal connection. It reminds us that our strength as a people comes not only from tradition, but from our relationships with one another. The story of Esther and Mordechai is not just about survival, it is about the power of unity, trust, and standing together as a community.

As we celebrate Purim this year, we have an opportunity to reflect on how we can strengthen our congregation by embracing the principles of Relational Judaism, which is an approach that prioritizes meaningful personal connections over programs alone.

The Purim story teaches us that relationships matter. Esther needed the support of Mordechai to find her courage. The Jewish people, scattered and vulnerable, needed to come together in unity to overcome Haman’s threat. Their survival was not just a matter of decree, but of solidarity.

This same lesson applies to our synagogue today. The strength of our congregation does not come from just programs or buildings alone. It comes from the connections we build with each other. As we celebrate Purim, we have a unique opportunity to strengthen these bonds in meaningful ways.

Purim gives us a powerful framework for strengthening our relationships, but the spirit of Relational Judaism must extend beyond Purim. By continuing to prioritize personal connections throughout the year, whether through small group gatherings, home-hosted Shabbat dinners, personal check-ins, or mentorship, we ensure that our synagogue is not just a place of prayer and programming, but a true kehillah, a sacred community.

This Purim, as we gather in joy and celebration, let us commit to something even greater: Deepening the relationships that make our Jewish lives meaningful. In doing so, we honor the spirit of Esther and Mordechai, not just by retelling their story, but by living out its lessons in our own community.

Chag Purim Sameach!

Kevin Cross

President