"I wanted you to know that it's so important to me that Kol Ami keep thriving and growing." - Renewing member

 
 

I have been so inspired these last few days - so many people are standing up and saying "what can I do to help? What if I can give an extra amount over my dues." I am deeply grateful to everyone I've spoken with, every single member who has come forward - whether they can increase their gift by a small amount or large - is helping to sustain the congregation while we investigate all the possible ways we can create a long-term sustainable financial plan. The way everyone is getting invigorated and creative on a new level is fantastic to see.

I want you to know I appreciate everyone's participation and involvement in this process we're going through, figuring out how to be long-term sustainable so that, as Andrew Reback so movingly said, Kol Ami is here for his kids and their kids. It's not a simple or easy conversation, but it is critical for the community as a whole to engage with it, to look at who we are and who we want to be moving forward. And I've been having great conversations with people about starting to envision what members want to see in the next 5-10-15 years.

Peter Mackler, head of our Ritual Pillar, said at services Friday night as he left for Israel - "Every time I come back from Israel I carry a little bit of Hartman with me; and I promise you, every time I go to Israel I take Kol Ami with me." So many people volunteer to make this place run that I can't begin to list them without fear of leaving someone out, but as I said Thursday night, we really couldn't do any of this without you - your creativity, your heart, your commitment to Kol Ami.

On occasion I've heard people say they don't feel they've been invited to participate in organizing or contributing ideas to events and activities.  Well, please consider this my personal invitation to get involved.  Whatever you're interested in, we have other folks who want to join together - the whole idea underlying the Pillar system is to empower all congregants to find what you want to create and lead, and to do that together. From exploring the hidden gems of Los Angeles to baking creative challah recipes together to going to Color Me Mine and painting gnomes (now, I know that's not just me), know that there is someone else who wants to join you.

To start brainstorming and talking about interactive and engaging events you want to make happen, I encourage you to email the following people (and I'm always happy to talk srosestern@kol-ami.org) -

Engaged Community - Glenn Rosenblum and Mark Freeman community@kol-ami.org

Social Justice - David Glickman socialjustice@kol-ami.org

Jewish Life/Ritual - Peter Mackler jewishlife@kol-ami.org

MOKA - Sam Fibish moka@kol-ami.org

WOKA - Debbie Futrowsky woka@kol-ami.org

BY KAREN OCAMB  |  America left behind transgender individuals serving in the U.S. military when Congress repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell in 2011- an issue addressed by former U.S. Navy SEAL Kristin Beck,  a veteran of operations in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Iraq, and San Diego-based retired Navy FC1 Autumn Sandeen, who was arrested twice for protesting Don't Ask, Don't Tell with GetEqual in 2010.

Three years later, Sandeen made history as the first transgender person to have her gender identity officially changed by the Department of Defense. But it took another three years to end the discrimination. Last Friday, June 24, a Pentagon spokesperson announced that the DOD was finally lifting its ban on transgender servicemembers serving openly in the military by the end of July, if not sooner.

Aaron Belkin, the openly gay longtime expert on LGBT military issues as director of the Palm Center, found the Pentagon's statement "heartening," but expressed caution. "If that day arrives, successful implementation will depend on whether new policy follows medical consensus and applies the same rules to everyone."

See all the photos from the event on Kol Ami's Facebook page.