KA Community Corner

Archived Articles From Past Weeks

Last year, during the High Holidays, I asked “what does Kol Ami mean to you?” I committed to you that we will continue to work on our communication with our membership.  I talked about our Recharge Committee’s efforts to: refresh…update… inspire…re-engage…and excite the members here at Kol Ami.

This year, our efforts continue to strive for these goals through a systematic and concentrated approach. We are seeking ways to strengthen our community in a meaningful and lasting manner. I have mentioned the concept of "Relational Judaism" a few times over the summer. This approach offers a powerful response to our challenge, centering on the belief that the future of Jewish communal life lies in building deep, personal relationships. Rather than focusing exclusively on programs, events, or membership growth (“Transactional Judaism”), Relational Judaism prioritizes relationships as the core of Jewish experience, aiming to create communities where individuals feel connected to one another, to their spiritual practice, and to the larger Jewish world. At its core, this philosophy emphasizes that the foundation of a vibrant synagogue is rooted in meaningful relationships—not just between congregants and clergy, but also between members themselves and ultimately their relationship with G-d. You can learn more about these concepts in the book called “Relational Judaism” by Dr. Ron Wolfson, which we are using as a guide to help us through this transition.

In my Kol Nidre Appeal letter, I introduced our Kol Ami Listens campaign which is designed to gather information about what energizes and excites you to connect with Kol Ami. This outreach is a great example of Relational Judaism. We look forward to deepening our connections to one another and discover common interests, passions, and concerns. This is one of many “tools” we are employing under the Relational Judaism umbrella, that human connections and relationships are the foundation of a vibrant Jewish life. Stay tuned for more to come in our Kol Ami Listens campaign.

B’ Shalom,

Kevin Cross

President