Dear TEE community,
Last week, I attended the first Jewish Belonging Summit in Baltimore, aimed at exploring how we can make our communities more welcoming, particularly for underrepresented Jewish groups. The sessions featured personal stories, text study, and engaging discussions. While there is no magic formula for creating a fully inclusive community, it was enlightening and inspiring to learn about the various steps being taken.
Our congregation already embodies many of the principles for fostering belonging discussed at the summit. Being a smaller community allows us to interact closely and truly get to know one another. Each Friday, we share both joyful and sorrowful moments in our lives and have the opportunity to connect during the oneg. Our diverse learning groups also facilitate connections that can be challenging in larger settings.
A key takeaway from the conference was the importance of hearing everyone’s voice. Many of us have faced exclusion in ways that may not be visible, and we cannot address these issues without understanding the stories behind them. Additionally, everyone has their own definition of belonging, and recognizing these perspectives is crucial for creating a welcoming environment.
We all need to belong and thrive in supportive settings. While I believe TEE is doing well in terms of inclusion, I returned from Baltimore motivated to explore how we can improve further. If you’re interested in collaborating on this initiative, I would love to hear from you. Additionally, if you have experienced exclusion or a sense of not belonging within our community, I encourage you to share your thoughts with me.
with all good wishes,
Rabbi Drorah Setel