I have been a volunteer in my Little Rock, Arkansas, synagogue for many years. It’s a great way to make friends and give back to the community. Having been blessed to find in BJ a unique balm for my soul, I was eager to contribute to this wonderful community. The Shabbat Connections Program turned out to be the perfect opportunity for a distance member like me. This program pairs BJ members, one or both of whom may have difficulty attending BJ in person, for a weekly phone call as a way to build a personal connection and relationship. My BJ phone buddy has enriched my life beyond anything I expected. Because we have had very different life experiences, my buddy has taught me many things: about dance, art, life on a kibbutz, and Hasidism. We share a love of Jewish tradition and literature. And since we are both dedicated BJ “Zoomers,” we enjoy discussing the rabbis’ remarks and adding our own gloss. After a year of phone calls, we were finally able to meet in person. During my last trip to NYC, we spent a lovely afternoon, starting at MoMA and finishing up at the Lego store! I am so grateful to BJ and my Shabbat Connections phone buddy for helping me feel a sense of community even though I am physically far away.

This kavannah is part of the Hanukkah Illuminations series.