When my oldest son asked his future wife to marry him, our family didn’t just grow by one person. We gained a whole new circle of wonderful people. With that came new traditions, new holiday gatherings for Passover and Thanksgiving, and plenty of shared milestones to celebrate.
One of the most exciting invitations in this budding extended family relationship was the chance to join their wildly famous family football pool. The winning trophy is the stuff of legend. Sadly, in year two of our participation, no Dragon has come close to winning. Yet.
The pool is pure fun. Nothing high stakes, unless you count bragging rights and the honor of seeing your name engraved on the family trophy. There is plenty of good-natured debate, a few “You picked them?!” comments, and the highlight of every week is the commissioner’s message written by my son’s soon-to-be father-in-law, celebrating the winner with gusto.
Despite my competitive streak (and a less-than-stellar season), what I love most isn’t the scorekeeping. It is how every Sunday we all choose to show up again. We root for different teams, disagree with the refs, laugh, lovingly tease each other, and stay connected through it all.
Community works the very same way. We each bring unique experiences, passions, and hopes to the table. We don’t always see the world through the same lens. Sometimes the plays we call together feel bold or uncertain. Yet we commit to building something bigger than ourselves. We hold tight to one another and to our shared purpose.
Over my first six weeks at Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ, I have felt that commitment everywhere I go. My listening tour has brought me into conversations with donors, rabbis, communal professionals, young adults, and longtime leaders. I have visited agencies and synagogues, learning about the incredible work happening every day. It has been a privilege to meet so many dedicated partners in strengthening Jewish life.
These conversations have also reflected the realities we are living through. The joyous final hostage release and the pain of those still waiting for the deceased, coupled with challenges facing Israel weigh heavily on our hearts. On Wednesday, we had the honor of hosting an outstanding conversation with David Horovitz, founding editor of The Times of Israel. His insights were thoughtful, candid, and deeply relevant to this moment for the Jewish people. If you weren’t able to join us, I encourage you to watch the recording.
Our connection continues with a different kind of strength at our upcoming community opening event featuring Modi. Humor lifts us. Jewish laughter carries resilience in its core. Coming together in shared joy is a declaration of Jewish pride and unity. We truly hope you will be there in community to share in our joy and resilience. Details and registration are here.
Like our family football pool, Jewish community isn’t about winning (even though sometimes it is a little about winning). It is about belonging. It is about choosing to show up, again and again, because we believe in each other and in the future we are building together. If we have not yet met, I look forward to meeting you soon as we continue this work in partnership.
Wishing you a peaceful, restorative Shabbat.