Making a Difference

Education and Youth Director, October 2002

Ani v’atah n’shaneh et ha’olam
Ani v’atah az yavo’u k’var kulam

You and I will change the world and then others will follow.

text by Eric Einstein,
music by Mikki Gavrielov

The words above are from a popular Israeli song from years ago. And these are the words that come to mind when I reflect on Adat Shalom. "You and I will change the world then others will follow." At Adat Shalom, it amazes me how so many people make a difference and lead the way for our programs to succeed. Each person that invests time in the congregation seems to give unselfishly and with the bigger picture at heart.

So many people work towards maintaining and improving our Torah School and youth programing. I love how people at Adat say that a program needs to be done and then they put their words to action and work to make whatever they want happen.

Adat Shalom has just begun, but I am empowered by an awesome team spirit that exists here. Below is a list of the wonderful committees and individuals who have taught me so much about dedication. I hope that as I reflect on what makes our community work so beautifully that no one will feel like I have left him or her out.

• My colleagues on the staff all work their fingers to the bones for the congregation, but each of them is always available to help me when asked. They are quick to put down their pens (or stop typing at their computers) and they have helped me or worked with me without saying “I don’t have time.” I believe that my work environment is an incredible gift because of the professional team spirit.
  
  
• The teachers have welcomed me with open arms. Even when I ask to make changes and request that they try new methods of teaching, they are eager to show their love of teaching.
  
  
• The madrichim (assistants) are patiently waiting for me to place them in classes. The teenagers are so excited to be working and giving back to their Torah School in spite of the fact that they will not be able to sleep late on Shabbat mornings.
  
  
• The executive board led by Judy Gelman has been quick to offer support or input whenever needed.
  
  
• The past and present Torah School boards, led by David Silberman for the past three years and now Loren Amdursky, have contributed to every aspect of the running of the Torah School. Never before have I worked with such a positive and active education board. They have created an incredible school and have supported every educational endeavor that I am trying to accomplish or that anyone else has tried to accomplish. When I ask for any help or advice they are quick to offer both physical and intellectual support. No one in the group minds getting their hands dirty.
  
  
• The volunteers who offer their time to create or support whatever needs to be done.
  
  
• The Youth Committee is led by Tamar Lieberman as the chair, and Maya Jaffe and Marla Zipin as the co-chairs. This committee loves to roll up their sleeves and figure new ways to engage our youth, saying "We need to have this such and such program, now what can we do to make it happen". Please keep your eyes open for our BBYO program, the development of No’ar Chadash (New Youth Program for teenagers through the Reconstructionist Federation), and a mother and daughter Rosh Chodesh (New Month) group. Committee member Minna Scherlinder is also organizing a Sleep-In for teens, coming up on Saturday, October 12, 2002, that is sure to be a blast.
  
  
• Ralph Silberman is updating the Torah School website as the Scroll goes to print.
  
  
• The parents of all the students and teens continually desire the best education and youth programs for their children. The Adat Shalom community is filled with parents who actively contact me to discuss the programs and how their children can best benefit from them.
  
  
• Without the students motivating themselves and the people around them like their parents, their teachers, and madrichim, etc., it would be virtually impossible to have our program grow.
  
  
• The teens that are actively pursuing our youth programs and asking for more and more opportunities to join together.

"You and I will change the world", means that I am part of a team that works together to keep our community evolving and growing. I am so excited to be among so many active Jews in one community. Thank you for teaching me what it means to work with others and not have to make everything happen alone. None of us are islands, we are a community that makes great experiences and programs happen. Together we can change our world!

L’Shalom,

Toni Bloomberg Grossman
Education and Youth Director