Below is a note written by Mollie, Kadima's Youth & Family Organizer, after the shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh in October of 2018. This week, 6 months after Pittsburgh, the Jewish community is again grieving after the shooting at Chabad of Poway in California. These words are still painfully relevant, and just as true as they ever were.
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Hello, dear precious humans,
The only way I can think to start this email is just with a reminder that we've got each other, and that we get to keep having each other. It was so life-giving to get to be with those of you who came to the Havdallah Open Mic on Saturday (circus acts and toddler singer-songwriters and free form dancing and soul piano and so much more!) and also at the powerful and connecting community-wide potluck and service on Sunday night. And for those of you who have been tending to your souls in other ways, you also make this community, and your presence is felt. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me, Rabbi David, our brilliant teachers, each other -- let's stay connected as we settle into this week of continued collective grief.
And as we keep on, we will continue recognizing and naming the numerous and profound ways that this past Shabbat's violence in Pittsburgh is deeply tied to violence against so many other communities, we will continue to move through our own processes in only the ways each of us can, and we will also go to work, and to school, and to keep our days full and alive. And we will continue to hold each other, and all the precious young people in our community, with so much love and tenderness.
We will have Tuesday School as usual tonight, Shabbat School as usual on Saturday, a concurrent Shabbat Morning Service where you and anyone you want to bring is welcome, and will love on your kids unconditionally through it all. We are working hard to support teachers in supporting students in age-appropriate and young people-centered ways, and welcome any particular desires you'd like to share. Please remind your young people of the many adults here at Kadima who are available to them should they want to talk, hug, play, etc. For me personally, it is a true honor to be able to love each and every one of your kids as fully and openly as possible.
This article, Helping Children Exposed to Shocking Events, from Hand in Hand Parenting, may provide some useful framework about what your kids might be needing at this point, and tools to support them as they move through their own feelings. We also were sent this list of resources from Reform Judaism, Jewish Resources for Coping with Acts of Terror. If you find something in there, or somewhere else, that particularly speaks to you, please do share!
I also want to add a special plug for Community Signing tonight if you want to move some things through you with song. It will be in the sanctuary while Tuesday School is happening. Come and go as needed -- you are welcome at any point!
We are holding each of you, and each of your precious children, with so much love this week. Thank you for being in community.
With love,
Mollie
--
Hello, dear precious humans,
The only way I can think to start this email is just with a reminder that we've got each other, and that we get to keep having each other. It was so life-giving to get to be with those of you who came to the Havdallah Open Mic on Saturday (circus acts and toddler singer-songwriters and free form dancing and soul piano and so much more!) and also at the powerful and connecting community-wide potluck and service on Sunday night. And for those of you who have been tending to your souls in other ways, you also make this community, and your presence is felt. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me, Rabbi David, our brilliant teachers, each other -- let's stay connected as we settle into this week of continued collective grief.
And as we keep on, we will continue recognizing and naming the numerous and profound ways that this past Shabbat's violence in Pittsburgh is deeply tied to violence against so many other communities, we will continue to move through our own processes in only the ways each of us can, and we will also go to work, and to school, and to keep our days full and alive. And we will continue to hold each other, and all the precious young people in our community, with so much love and tenderness.
We will have Tuesday School as usual tonight, Shabbat School as usual on Saturday, a concurrent Shabbat Morning Service where you and anyone you want to bring is welcome, and will love on your kids unconditionally through it all. We are working hard to support teachers in supporting students in age-appropriate and young people-centered ways, and welcome any particular desires you'd like to share. Please remind your young people of the many adults here at Kadima who are available to them should they want to talk, hug, play, etc. For me personally, it is a true honor to be able to love each and every one of your kids as fully and openly as possible.
This article, Helping Children Exposed to Shocking Events, from Hand in Hand Parenting, may provide some useful framework about what your kids might be needing at this point, and tools to support them as they move through their own feelings. We also were sent this list of resources from Reform Judaism, Jewish Resources for Coping with Acts of Terror. If you find something in there, or somewhere else, that particularly speaks to you, please do share!
I also want to add a special plug for Community Signing tonight if you want to move some things through you with song. It will be in the sanctuary while Tuesday School is happening. Come and go as needed -- you are welcome at any point!
We are holding each of you, and each of your precious children, with so much love this week. Thank you for being in community.
With love,
Mollie
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