When my husband and I moved to Charlotte over five years ago, we knew only our daughter…we were so happy because our little family was together again, but I needed more.
I was born in Hendersonville…so coming home to North Carolina after all these years meant I had many cousins that I would get to see much more frequently than when I lived in California. I was so excited! My big extended family was, for me, together again, but still I needed more.
Truthfully, I knew after moving here that I am the kind of person who needs even more family than that. I needed a temple family and I found a most wonderful, caring one here at Temple Beth El.
The High Holidays were, for me, like a big family reunion. I was so happy to see my friends, the new members that I had met when they recently joined, and those I had not seen in well…almost a year.
I know I am not alone and that this is a common refrain for many of our congregants who move to Charlotte and have no family here. We look for it in our neighbors, our new friends, and our synagogue.
Since May, our temple family has grown by 91 households…what a wonderful blessing for them and for us! I hope we will all welcome them and make them feel at home and part of our family.
Family – there are all kinds of them, but in my life, I need them all. Thank you for being part of mine.
