In my role as a progressive Jewish educator, I am faced daily by the challenge of what excites people and connects them to Klal Yisrael, the community of Israel, and Jewish practice. I work to encourage Jewish identity and practice by exploring how Judaism is relevant in the lives of my peers. To do that I use the tools that have so successfully worked for me, in my Jewish journey. My personal path to Jewish identity has been infused by a strong sense of community, past, present and future, ethics, and personal practice. I grew up in a spiritually supportive Jewish Renewal home, and attending Habonim Dror summer camp and youth group. Both environments fostered in me a true sense of community, personal action and dedication to tikkun olam (repairing the world.) Community – The sense that you are part of a larger community of passionate Jews who care about the same things that motivate me, and who share spirit and learning, has always provided me with the tools to connect to my Jewish identity. Unfortunately this path has left me feeling disconnected to many, as not all of Klal Yisrael shares my spiritual and communal beliefs. Jewish ethics and morality – The lessons of Gimilut Chasadim (acts of Righteousness), Tzedakah, environmentalism and more, which permeate the bible and Rabbinic texts guide me in my struggle to find a proper moral compass. Though I am not a halachic Jew, I believe in these ancient teachings and using them as guides to find answers to the litany of challenges facing humankind and all of Creation. Personal practice – Judaism provides me with a structure and community in which to find personal spiritual and ethical practice. For example, the holiday’s provide me with an opportunity for reflection and action structure throughout the year on a variety of important themes, the act of saying a blessing before I eat provides me with the tools to connect the act of eating to the structure of Creation, and communal prayer allows me to lift myself up in anonymity encouraged by my enshrouding in song and prayer. The face of the Jewish community is changing. For many, Jewish identity is not about synagogue or belief. It is about community and action. My current Jewish motivation is to help others see the beauty in Jewish ethics and morality, create their own personal practices, and help them find or found a community of likeminded caring individuals to mutually nurture their Jewish practice and identity.