Warm and Welcoming

Everything that I do, everywhere I go and everything that I continue to be a part of is because it was a warm and welcoming place. 

Should we not always welcome strangers or be kind to everyone? 

These days with people wearing masks out in public you can’t tell when someone is smiling at you. It is more important to talk to each other. I have had more positive experiences with strangers recently. I was in our local kosher market days before shabbat and a major snowstorm! A woman complimented me on the color of my winter coat, it is a pretty shade of green. She said it made her happy and that she always had a black or brown coat. I thanked her and went on to tell her that whenever I need a boost of sunshine on a cold and dreary day, I wear a cheery color. I could tell that she smiled under her mask! 

I moved around a lot as a child. I seemed to always be the “new kid.” As much as I disliked having to start over all the time. It set me up to be warm and welcoming to everyone! 

Chai Mitzvah is a warm and welcoming place. If you have ever been on any of our virtual programs you can feel the positive warmth in the Zoom room! Try it and I guarantee that you will be glad that you did!

– Michalee Merritt