President's Column

As President, I have written and spoken often about the power and importance of community. I have done so because I recognize that so many people today are searching for, and are in need of, powerful, connective communities. That is what Beth Am provides when we are at our best. Looking back, it is possible that my interest in — some might even say fixation with — community was sparked by my study of minerals, plate tectonics and geographic time. 

Although it was not obvious to me at the time, I have come to realize that geology offers profound insights into the importance of community. Let’s look at five specific geographical lessons among the many I could discuss.

1. Interconnectedness. No geological feature exists in isolation; mountains form because of tectonic activity, and their erosion nourishes valleys with fertile soil. This interconnectedness mirrors the way the best communities function: individual contributions sustain and uplift the whole. Like geological systems, communities thrive when each part works together toward a common goal, supporting and balancing one another. Similarly, Beth Am thrives on the interconnected efforts of its members, staff and clergy. The Talmud reminds us, "Kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh — All of Israel is responsible for one another.” (Shevuot 39a). Beth Am is not a collection of individuals, but a tapestry where each thread, each person, supports and enhances the others.

2. Strength Through Diversity. Biology shows us that diversity is critical for survival. Ecosystems are composed of multiple elements — from flora and fauna, to decomposers, sun, water and their terrain. Ecosystems demonstrate the interdependence of multiple elements to create environments that sustain many forms of life. Just as these elements combine to create something resilient, our Beth Am draws strength from the diversity of the community’s talents, traditions and experiences. Together, we build something stronger, richer and more enduring than we could achieve alone. 

3. Resilience. Geological landscapes adapt and evolve in response to change, like mountains shaped by tectonic plate activity or glaciers carving valleys. Ecosystems adapt to changing weather conditions, for example, which threaten ecological balance. These natural forces remind me of the resilience we cultivate as a congregation through challenges and transitions. Proverbs teaches, "The righteous fall seven times and rise again." (Proverbs 24:16). In times of difficulty, our community draws strength from one another and rises together. In times of happiness, our joy is magnified by the fact that we share it with one another.

4. Sustainability. Geology and biology remind us that resources like water and fertile soil are finite and must be shared and preserved. Our congregation, similarly, is a shared resource, nurtured by the contributions of members and sustained for future generations. It is our sacred duty to care for our shared world and to sustain our communal institutions.

5. Cumulative Impact. Our Earth history also teaches us the value of patience and the way change can be fast like an earthquake or slow like a glacier. Small actions — like sediment deposited by a river — can build something monumental over time, such as a vast delta. In the same way, the everyday contributions of Beth Am’s members, staff and clergy, from acts of kindness to volunteering, create a thriving and enduring community. As we learn in Pirkei Avot, “It is not your duty to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.” (Pirkei Avot 2:16) Each small act contributes to a larger, ongoing legacy.

Just as my long-ago geology-biology studies taught me that the Earth’s systems are interconnected and resilient, our Beth Am community thrives through mutual support, shared responsibility and the contributions of each member. Together, we can form a foundation as enduring and dynamic as the rocks beneath our feet, ensuring a strong and vibrant future for Beth Am.

president@betham.org