Our next guest is Tina Wolf. A member at Congregation Kneseth Israel for almost 20 years, and a day care owner, she always has a warm smile and a can-do attitude. I’m delighted that she has chosen CKI, and continues to do so!

The communities to which I have belonged have changed throughout my life. Stitch n’ bitch, book club, and concert going affiliations gave way to such communities as Boy Scout Troop 56 and St. Charles North’s soccer, swim, and music boosters – then returned again. However, as a soon-to-be twenty year member, CKI is the one community that I have CHOSEN to belong to for the longest period of time.

Originally joining to provide my children with some type of Jewish education and identity, I remain a member of CKI because of the sense of connectedness that I have with others within this organization and its Sisterhood. This sense of connectedness, or community, stems from shared values and common goals and interests. More importantly though, the CKI community, like all good communities, develops and maintains this sense of connectedness by exhibiting concern about the welfare of those who belong to it. CKI provides me, and all its members, with support – it helped me celebrate simchas, mourned with me when I lost loved ones, and provides me with the resources (whether they be educational, spiritual, social, or material) to grow and become not only a better Jewish person, but a better citizen of the world.

In return, I (and what I believe is a growing number of members) have become just as concerned about making the CKI grow and improve. I believe that this reciprocity is a necessary component of any successful community. CKI must view its members as an asset and strive to meet their needs, and we, the members of CKI’s community must view CKI as an asset and take action to ensure its continuation and development too.

Yet another characteristic of a good community is flexibility. I believe that CKI possess this trait because of its conscious effort to embrace diversity. This act is key to promoting tolerance of differing views and opinions as well as making all feel welcome, comfortable, and accepted – yet another key facet of a great community.

Tina Wolf