KA Community Corner

Archived Articles From Past Weeks

Shalom, Kol Ami!

Well, it happened—I’m now officially the president of Kol Ami! (No, I’m not entirely sure how either.) One minute I was minding my own business preparing a Shabbat kiddush for my beloved fellow congregants to enjoy, and the next I was handed a gavel and a stack of bylaws!

But seriously, I’m honored to follow in the footsteps of so many dedicated leaders who have helped build and sustain our vibrant community for over four decades. I have had many offers of support and guidance from so many, which has been inspiring, reassuring, and frankly unsurprising, given who Kol Ami is. And I’m very excited to work alongside a terrific Board of Trustees and many others who give so much of themselves.

Speaking of giving of themselves, I want to wish a heartfelt mazal tov to Jon Zimmer on his well-deserved Ma’asim Tovim Award and on becoming President of the Florida Region Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs (FJMC). Jon is such an inspiring presence in our congregation, (and he’s also hilarious in between inspiring moments).

In line with our successful Relational Judaism model, I am establishing a Young Adult Leadership Advisory (YALA!) group, chaired by Alissa Chernin, to advise the Board on issues relevant to our post-college demographic, as well as creating programs and activities they would like to see us offer to them. Alissa will be recruiting members to join her on YALA! this summer to plan for the fall.

Even as we approach the end of the academic and programming year, we are still busy kicking off new initiatives, like our Rising Song Circle, organized and led by Keri Baker and Rabbi Blatt, which brings people together through their love of music. If you’re interested and haven’t had the opportunity, you’re still welcome to join them.

Another new initiative on tap is the RODEO (Retired Old Dudes Eating Out) group, led by Mark Jaffe. If your “lifestyle” fits the RODEO profile, come to their organizational meeting on Monday, May 19^th.

Also, save the following dates. This coming Shabbat, May 10^th, we plan to celebrate and acknowledge the many members who volunteer their time, skills, and energies to keep Kol Ami strong and active at our Volunteer Appreciation Shabbat, sponsored by the outgoing Board of Trustees! Over 200 congregants have worked hard to help us all in various ways, so please come to thank them and be thanked!

On Sunday, May 18^th, please join us for our Annual End of the Year Picnic, which this year will also be our formal goodbye party to our wonderful Executive Director, Mitch Weiss. Mitch’s last day will be June 30^th.

We also look forward to welcoming Tanya Spivey, our new Director of Operations, on May 28 and are planning a Shabbat kiddush luncheon in her honor, to meet her and her family. Stay tuned!

We are living in a time when community matters more than ever, and I believe that Kol Ami, with its collective wisdom, warmth, and resilience, can be a place of connection, reflection, and belonging for all of us. Kol Ami has been my spiritual home for almost two decades, and I want to return the favor by working hard to make it feel like home for others.

If you have ideas, questions, or other comments, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. Looking forward to a meaningful year ahead together!

B’shalom,
Jody Sampson-Nair
President, Kol Ami