Mr. Rogers, host of the educational television series Mister Roger’s Neighborhood, opened the show each week singing “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” He recognized back then what we still struggle to embrace even today: that human beings crave connection. Mister Roger’s success lay in his ability to transcend distance to reach through the square tv screen, bond with his audience, and interact in meaningful ways.

Half a century later, as the Surgeon General of the United States speaks poignantly about an “epidemic of loneliness,” and having only recently returned fully from the separation caused by the coronavirus, we embrace the renewed necessity of transcending our traditional modalities to connect concretely and creatively. Congregation Or Ami has been picking up where Mister Rogers left off. And we are receiving national recognition for our efforts.

As Bette Braun & Bob Levy, of New York City, write:

“Over the past decade, we have had the great fortune of attending services at Or Ami, where Bob’s son Rick Levy and his family are partners. Although we live in New York City, with its abundance of synagogues, we have found none as fully inclusive, welcoming, and spiritually and culturally uplifting, broadening and challenging (in a good way!), as Congregation Or Ami.”

“Though coming from a very traditional prayer service, we have been deeply touched by Or Ami’s unique and joyous davenning (praying). So when we learned about Or Ami’s Neighborhood, it’s distanced partnership, we quickly joined. Being an Or Ami Neighbor enables us to feel more a part of Or Ami not just when we are in LA, but when we are attending services and other events online.

“We are deeply grateful to Or Ami for the opportunity to be a part of your community.”

Or Ami’s Neighborhood responds to the oft-mentioned comment by friends and family who visit Or Ami: “If only you were closer, we would join!” For Bette and Bob, and so many from all over the United States, Or Ami’s Neighborhood fulfills their desire for a Jewish community and rabbis and a cantor to call their own.

That’s what Carrie and Brian Levy of Austin, Texas remember discovering:

“When we moved away from Southern California seven years ago, we had trouble finding a comparable experience to that we shared at Congregation Or Ami. Or Ami’s Neighborhood has enabled us to reconnect with our Or Ami community. The access to Rabbi Paul and other clergy has proven to be spiritually enlightening in times of need.”

Or Ami’s Neighborhood bestows on our Neighbors so many benefits: a place to call their spiritual home, rabbis and a cantor to turn to in joyous or challenging times, doubly discounted tickets to the High Holy Day services, access to special events and learning opportunities, and more. Designed for people who live 60 miles or more from Calabasas, the Neighborhood reaches through the livestream and beyond the cell phone to deepen connections. It provides spiritual sustenance that helps transcend the epidemic of loneliness.

Won’t you please reach out to your family members, friends, coworkers, and acquaintances who love your love of Or Ami, and invite them to consider connecting through Or Ami’s Neighborhood? If a call or zoom between you, them, and me could help, I am thrilled to connect. Help us expand the Jewish world as we bring more people home!