I have recently been on a reading kick and included in the books I couldn't put down were two by Mitch Albom. I had already read two of his books, The Five People You Meet In Heaven and Tuesdays with Morrie. I loved both of them so I expected to love the new two. I was correct. I read For One More Day and Have A Little Faith, and I highly reccommend these books to you. You will not be disappointed. I say all that to say this: In the book, Have A Little Faith the rabbi uses the term "Kehillah Kedoshah" and it means "a sacred community." He tells the author that he has tried to develop the people in his temple into a sacred community. A community that shared their burdens and celebrated their joys all together. They have a deep love for one another and their faith. All I could think while reading this is "Wow, I have one of those." Yes, my church is one, BUT I have a deeper one. My Kehillah Kedoshah is the group of friends I have been so blessed with.
I have a group of friends who genuinely love one another. People told us through high school that we wouldn't be as close after graduation, but they underestimated us. We have added some to our number, but we haven't lost many, if any. People underestimated us because they underestimated what our friendship was built on. The center of our friendship is our faith. It keeps us locked together. I don't say that for you to think that we think we are perfect...we are far from it. But we all constantly are striving to do better and push each other along the way. We have cried together and laughed together...sometimes at the same time. We have mourned the loss of loved one with each other, and we have celebrated the joys of life. We have encouraged one another. We have celebrated graduations, engagements, weddings, and birthdays. We have had dance marathons and karaoke nights. We have played more cards than probably anybody else our age. We find a way to have good clean fun and laugh our heads off in the process.
Tonight we will celebrate the going away of one of our members. I know, that sounds harsh, but we celebrate because this one is following his heart. He leaves for India on Monday because that is what God has called him to do. We did this same thing about a year ago for the same reason. About a month ago, we saw one move to Arkansas to follow his heart, and possibly gain his forever love there. People say, "Well, it won't be the same when they come back", but again you underestimate us. Yes, these people will be different; God will have grown them in unimaginable ways, BUT we will still be there. We were still there on the weekends people came home from college, and when they finally moved back. We were still there when people went off the path a bit and then came back. We are still there. We are still there because all along the way, we choose to pray for one another and with one another.
I am blessed beyond measure to be a part of this Kehillah Kedoshah. These 15 to 20 people that surround me (and usually invade my house every weekend) are the ones who keep me going most days. They love me, for me. They love me all through the imperfections. We all know each others faults and strengths and still we stay strong. We know who will contribute what to the group and how that person helps make it complete. People say that is what makes good friends...but I think we are ever more than that; I always have. That is why when I saw this term...I felt like I had finally found the correct term to describe my group of friends. What we have is sacred.
I have a group of friends who genuinely love one another. People told us through high school that we wouldn't be as close after graduation, but they underestimated us. We have added some to our number, but we haven't lost many, if any. People underestimated us because they underestimated what our friendship was built on. The center of our friendship is our faith. It keeps us locked together. I don't say that for you to think that we think we are perfect...we are far from it. But we all constantly are striving to do better and push each other along the way. We have cried together and laughed together...sometimes at the same time. We have mourned the loss of loved one with each other, and we have celebrated the joys of life. We have encouraged one another. We have celebrated graduations, engagements, weddings, and birthdays. We have had dance marathons and karaoke nights. We have played more cards than probably anybody else our age. We find a way to have good clean fun and laugh our heads off in the process.
Tonight we will celebrate the going away of one of our members. I know, that sounds harsh, but we celebrate because this one is following his heart. He leaves for India on Monday because that is what God has called him to do. We did this same thing about a year ago for the same reason. About a month ago, we saw one move to Arkansas to follow his heart, and possibly gain his forever love there. People say, "Well, it won't be the same when they come back", but again you underestimate us. Yes, these people will be different; God will have grown them in unimaginable ways, BUT we will still be there. We were still there on the weekends people came home from college, and when they finally moved back. We were still there when people went off the path a bit and then came back. We are still there. We are still there because all along the way, we choose to pray for one another and with one another.
I am blessed beyond measure to be a part of this Kehillah Kedoshah. These 15 to 20 people that surround me (and usually invade my house every weekend) are the ones who keep me going most days. They love me, for me. They love me all through the imperfections. We all know each others faults and strengths and still we stay strong. We know who will contribute what to the group and how that person helps make it complete. People say that is what makes good friends...but I think we are ever more than that; I always have. That is why when I saw this term...I felt like I had finally found the correct term to describe my group of friends. What we have is sacred.
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