A young African American woman stood at the podium, bravely telling the story of her experience with domestic violence for the first time in public. Several in the audience wiped away tears as she spoke of how it took her almost getting killed before she was able to walk away from the relationship. “People tried to tell me, but I didn’t want to listen,” she said sadly, shaking her head.

Everyone wants to feel accepted for who they are and what they believe, feel and value. Most people look to belong, to be part of something larger than themselves, where there is a sense of community and “home”. Our synagogues and religious schools can and have provided a spiritual home for its members, a center where families can worship together and celebrate Shabbat and Jewish holidays.