Danise Habun talked about the groups she is connected to. She is also teaching me about “the beloved community,” an important concept of Dr. Martin Luther King’s non-violent organizing principles. That’s what we are trying to build in the world, when we talk about tikkun olam, repairing the world. We are working towards the beloved community. https://thekingcenter.org/about-tkc/the-king-philosophy/ We are reading the book as a group, “Healing Resistance, A Radically Different Response to Harm.” 

At a recent gathering of people brainstorming what the beloved community would look like we were asked what we love, and specifically about Elgin. I am proud to be part of this group of leaders from a wide range of Elgin and know many of the people in the room and feel connected to them.  

 When it was my turn to speak, I commented on my bracelet which says “Ani L’dodi v’dodi li, I am my beloved and my beloved is mine.” A verse from Song of Songs it is used in many Jewish weddings. It is an acronym for the Jewish month Elul that we are in, And it is seen as reassuring. That G-d is our beloved and we are G-ds. We are connected to something bigger than us and that brings comfort. It is reminder of the I-Thou relationship that Buber talks about. We will talk more about that as the month progresses.  

 The principles of Kingian Non-Violence and building the beloved community can happen anywhere. My question would be what does the beloved community look like to you. How are you connected to your community?