We Are All Connected !!!!
Isolation works against our spiritual and emotional health.
This blog is meant as a way for us to stay connected (we sure know that we are all connected – in so many ways 😬😌😍 !!!}
- It is NOT to share information (there are plenty of other sites for that.) It is for us to share our feelings, our reflections, our thoughts, our worries, our support.
- It is a way for us to stay spiritually and emotionally connected.
I look forward to sharing our feelings – without judgment. Just a safe place to be present for one another.
Shira
March 18, 2020 @ 2:19 pm
Hearing the birds chirping while seated at my “work desk” set up on my dining room table where the daylight is abundant and comforting. I am reminded that the first full day of spring is Friday! Grateful to the clergy, Jess, Susan and Scott for developing ways for our community to stay connected.
March 18, 2020 @ 2:04 pm
I hear the birds chirping as I am seated at my “work desk” in my dining room with wonderful light coming in through the windows. The sun, bids chirping and the fresh air when I went for a walk yesterday in the early evening are all reminders that late tomorrow night is the beginning of spring. Thankful that the this community and grateful to our clergy and leadership for keeping us connected.
March 15, 2020 @ 9:53 pm
As I dug into soil today to prepare some planting pots for our vegetable garden, I was reminded of the promise of a seed. What a symbol of hope and optimism. Not a minute goes by without me thinking about our Kol Ami community. I hold each of you in my heart.
March 16, 2020 @ 3:23 pm
For those working at home, below are some helpful suggestions.
Design an ideal workspace. Identify a good, comfortable location to work from that is separate from your living space. Ensure it has good lighting and access to power.
Have space to stand up, stretch and move.
Establish a work-day routine as you would in the office. Keep your morning rituals (shower and getting dressed), refuel at lunch and take micro-breaks throughout the day.
Stay connected. Set up check-in calls and enjoy virtual lunch and coffee together. Use our Kol Ami or other support networks to stay connected.
Continue to follow preventative measures such as hand washing, cleaning and disinfecting, and practicing social distancing.
Stay well and do your best to normalize the situation.
March 14, 2020 @ 8:16 pm
Shabbat afternoon. Blue skies and sun and a chilly wind. I added an extra layer and went for a walk. Milk chocolate sea salt caramel added just the right touch! I miss you all. I can’t wait until we’re together. Maybe we’ll catch up for a few minutes on zoom tomorrow morning.
March 13, 2020 @ 11:46 pm
Thanks Cantor David, Co-Presidents Susan and Scott, musicians Alex, Kevin and Marc, and our tech support team for an inspiring Shabbat service tonite. It was wonderful for Susan and I to feel connected with everyone. The service was very healing.
March 13, 2020 @ 11:44 pm
So happy to be part of Kol Ami family in these days of uncertainty. I felt more calm after watching tonight’s service. Thanks Shira for doing this blog where we all can connect virtually. This also will help all deal with the world as it is now. Thanks again Shira. Ardyth
March 13, 2020 @ 9:49 pm
It’s wonderful to ‘be’ here. I came to the site to log in and watch Marc play clarinet for Shabbat tonight. Thank you, as always, for connecting such a beautiful community.
March 13, 2020 @ 3:46 pm
Some ideas from our family for keeping busy/sane today: Bake a challah. We had not done that in our house for years (thanks to Martine’s!) but prepping the dough was a great activity for this AM. Later today, we are planning to get ‘dressed’ for the Shabbat Service that will be streaming this evening and attend together.
March 12, 2020 @ 7:14 pm
I’m also finding solace in nature. We went for a walk in Manor Park, along the Sound in Larchmont. The quiet lapping of the water, the stunning rocks, the cold wind.
March 12, 2020 @ 10:25 pm
Glad you are finding solace.
One idea I had was for people to suggest great books to read. Also wondered if the Kol Ami book club would be willing to share their booklist for the next six months. I know they plan in advance.
March 12, 2020 @ 12:49 pm
Hello all,
I’m so grateful that you are finding ways for us to stay connected. My husband is a cancer survivor who feels particularly vulnerable, so in support of him, I’m limiting activities that involve other people. But I’m finding solace in nature. Yesterday I went for a walk in Rockefeller Park, and saw real blue birds. The blue on the male bird was astounding. And speaking of birds, I recommend a novel called The Yellow Bird Sings, by Jennifer Rosner. It would be wonderful at any time, but especially now. Its about a mother and little daughter , who have to hide during the war in a hay loft. Most of the time they must be silent. But the little girl has an imaginary yellow bird who sings. This is so inspiring to me at a time when many of us are confined, albeit voluntarily.
Susan
March 12, 2020 @ 2:46 am
It is wonderful to see you online. Every connection strengthens me!
March 12, 2020 @ 1:43 am
Shira, thanks for setting this up. I am really glad to be part of this community during these trying times. I say M’sheberach every morning for all of us.
March 12, 2020 @ 12:42 am
Thanks for finding a way for us all to remain connected with each other, while we preserve an appropriate distance! Looking forward to dialogue amongst us as we all work through implications for our health, work and personal lives. Personally, I’m hoping for some possible silver-lining moments spent with my children and perhaps time outdoors mid-week. I hope each of us finds something unexpected to appreciate in the next days
March 11, 2020 @ 9:35 pm
Our “shinshinim” (post high school kids on a gap year here in America) were all called back to Israel by worried parents.
One of our shinshinim came to say good-bye yesterday. I commented on the Purell bottle looped on a strap around his neck.
“Yeah,” he admitted, somewhat ashamed, “I’m really nervous.”
“We all are,” I assured him. “There is no reason to be ashamed.”
“We are all in this together.”
And we are.