Community

com·mu·ni·ty

   [kuh-myoo-ni-tee]  Show IPA

noun, plural com·mu·ni·ties.

1.

a social group of any size whose members reside in aspecific locality, share government, and often have acommon cultural and historical heritage.

The definition of community in the dictionary doesn't remotely come close to the reality of all that the word stands for. Two weeks ago began with a terrible loss in the BZAEDS community. A tragic one.  Unfair.  Devastating.  One that affected all its members.  I attended the funeral and a shiva visit and I was so deeply struck by the concept of community.  This concept of having a family that will look out for you, be there for you, mourn with you, and stand behind you is incredible.  I think back through all the different "communities" I have been lucky to be a part of throughout time and feel quite blessed.

After a few weeks in a row of bad news, I finally got to experience a more positive side to the concept of community yesterday.  A wedding.  Two people truly in love declaring their commitment to each other in front of all their friends and family.  So much happiness, love, and support.  There are two parts of a Jewish wedding that always get me.  The first is in the moment of the 'Bedekin' where the groom 'checks' the bride to make sure its the right one.  That moment always contains a spark as the couple recognizes they are moments away from being wed.  It always provokes a few tears.  The second is during the actual ceremony when the groom places a ring on the finger of the bride and says, "הרי את מקודשת לי בטבעת זו כדת משה וישראל".  To me this saying brings the concept of holiness into the wedding.  Not all of the other prayers and blessings, but rather this moment when the groom stands under the chuppah and places the ring on his bride declaring her his.

And there's no better way to celebrate the beginning of a new year with a joyous occasion.  So thank you, Laura and Ezra for having me celebrate your new beginnings with you.  They inspire my new beginnings.  And thank you to Barb for being the most amazing date, the night was filled with so much LAUGHTER.

Tomorrow marks the first day of the school year.  While I cannot believe that the summer has passed I am also a little relieved that tomorrow will mark the return of structure to my life.  The summer proved to be fantastic.  I really enjoyed myself, challenged myself, tried out new things, met new people and continued this adventure.  Tomorrow will mark a new kind of challenge with lots of new faces that will both teach me and learn from me.  I can't wait.

So... I bid a farewell to summer.  I am sure that come 2013 I will eagerly await your return... in the meantime, September has arrived.  I'll continue with that one next week.