One Good Thing
Do One Thing: Join Koleinu LGBT Action Team this year as we build a Shelter of Peace.
As we approach the High Holidays, I am anticipating the lovely custom of eating sweet things to ensure a sweet year, wishing my loved ones, near and far, a year of health and happiness, and thinking about the physical and emotional challenge of Yom Kippur.
I am also reminded of Rabbi Kleinbaum’s words at my first visit to CBST a few years ago. It was the Neilah service during the closing hours of Yom Kippur. As the day was drawing to a close, Rabbi Kleinbaum gently urged us to consider doing "one thing, one, in this new year, to make this world a better place.” How quickly a year goes by, and we would be back in those seats with a sense of well being if we could say, yes we did one good thing.
She struck a chord. It was a simple, easy and very profound call to action, and has become the force that propels me in my efforts of seeking social justice for all.
Koleinu’s ME/LGBT Action Team has and continues to offer a wide variety of opportunities to make the world a better place, both for our own members and in the greater LGBTQ community. We will never forget the passage of the Marriage Equality bill on June 24th and the first weddings under the CBST rainbow chuppah on July 24th!
Appropriately, as we are on the verge of our new year, we are launching a new initiative: Shelter of Peace. We are building a coalition of clergy and congregations who will stand up and show up when it matters; congregations we can call on to rally and write letters, and committed religious leaders who will speak up to their legislators.
We will build our coalition by hosting a briefing for clergy from throughout NYC. We will give them the devastating facts and figures about homeless youth, our LGBTQ kids in particular. Together we will demand what is right and just: a bed for every single homeless LGBTQ youth in NYC.
Although it sounds huge, it’s simply a huge plan of a lot of single tasks, “one things”, that will make it happen. If you are inspired this year to find that one thing for yourself, I hope it will be with us, in this Initiative.
When you see me ask me about Shelter of Peace.
Shana tova!
RoseAnn Hermann
P.S. Take a moment to take a look at the letters we sent out to Rabbis and interfaith clergy!
