Baruch HaShem, we have had so many new families move into our community this year and become a part of the SOI family. Moving here during COVID and COVID restrictions encumbers friendships and inhibits feelings of belonging. When I moved into this community with 2 small children many, many years ago, we would meet people at the playground, through Shabbat meals and school, at Shabbat groups, Spaghetti dinners, at Weight Watchers, Girl Scouts and through other people. Volunteering to run an after-school program and being involved with the PTG put me in touch with many other parents.
Making that one close friendship helps open your world to many more friends and friendships. At shul, by way of my daughter’s new schoolmate, I made my first true friend in Cherry Hill who then guided me on my journey through Cherry Hill and particularly Sons of Israel. Her own children were each one year older than mine, but a beautiful friendship blossomed between our children and with each other. Nowadays, with many activities being on ZOOM, it is more difficult to foster those sorts of relationships and to feel a part of the community.
Joining various committees and participating in shul activities is a great way to build new strong bonds. There is a vast array of activities from programming for all ages, kitchen/kiddush help, special timely events such as the GALA on May 23rd or Mishloach Manot, to name a few. Please check out our website for a full list of committees and their chairperson’s information and for all upcoming events. If you are interested in becoming an active member on the SOI Board of Directors, please let me know.
I look forward to getting to know all of the new families and continue my relationships with the older regime. Restricting Shabbat guests currently puts a severe bump in the road, but as it is said, “Hashem puts bumps in the road to keep us from falling asleep at the wheel.” Meeting people at shul and especially during kiddush is the next best thing. As many people say, the best part of our community, besides lower housing prices, is there are no fences around the building of relationships. Whether you are FFB, new to Orthodoxy, young, older, male, female, converted, divorced, widowed, newly weds and about to be weds, you are welcome at Sons of Israel.
Shabbat Shalom,
Donna Moskowitz
SOI President
president@soicherryhill.org