We joined the temple two weeks before 9/11 after many years of not being affiliated with a temple. Although the timing proved fortuitous, the reason for joining was far greater than the support and solidarity we felt around the trauma of 9/11. We were looking to be part of a Jewish community, make new friends and on a personal level, I wanted to begin a spiritual journey that was missing from my life.

It took some time to find what I was looking for. All that TBE offered overwhelmed me so I began testing the waters. I attended some phenomenal TBElle classes (Jews on Broadway was a kick), enjoyed some provocative programs (Pot Brownies at the Synagogue turned me on), I helped out with the Women’s Seder and by some miracle completed my first year studying conversational Hebrew.

A turning point came when I heard about the Hazon Visioning Project, the precursor to the development of a TBE strategic plan. It is the result of our leadership’s desire to get input from as many congregants as possible about their experiences at TBE and to gain an understanding of what matters most in their Jewish lives.

I was attracted to this effort because it combines my personal interests with my professional experience. I became a facilitator and scribe at several of the Hazon conversations and later joined the Hazon Committee. We’ve learned a lot from this exercise and one finding was that not unlike myself, others are trying to find their way at TBE. Through my involvement, I have met some terrific people with interests aligned with my own. I feel confident that through this initiative I am finding my place and hope to help others at TBE do the same.