MiShenikhnas Adar Marbim B'Simhah!

By Rabbi Elyse Winick
Associate Director for KOACH
USCJ Department of Youth and Young Adult Services

When Adar arrives, joy increases – Purim is so joy-filled that one day can't contain it all. The entire month is a time of celebration. We rejoice in our collective reversal of fortune and turn the world upside down with our happiness.

I'm glad we had two months of Adar this year (it's a leap year). The first Adar saw the release of the USCJ-Hayom Draft Strategic Plan, about which we quickly encouraged all friends-of-KOACH to comment. It's been great to read your stories, to hear about how KOACH has made a difference in your lives, to hear about the things we haven't done yet that you'd like to see happen.

At last month's (truly amazing) KOACH Kallah, we gave students the chance to review the plan and discuss it with some of the lay leaders involved with its construction. What followed was incredibly inspiring and gave this month's ezine theme of heroism a new dimension. Within 48 hours students had mobilized and crafted an articulate response, which quickly went viral and attracted a tremendous amount of attention.

On the second day of Adar Bet, the USCJ-Hayom Strategic Planning Commission will release a final version of the plan, which will include updated language which recognizes the important of the college community and the need to locate the necessary resources to support it. Esther and Mordechai would be proud of this classic case of v'nahafokh hu (Esther 9:1), a reversal of fortune. I'm proud too. I'm proud that our students found their voice and that they were heard.

And the work has just begun. We invite those of you who are new to the cause to join us for the ride. We don't know what the future holds, but thanks to our heroes, we know it's awfully bright.

Want to learn more or join the cause? "Like" the Mahar Coalition Facebook page.

[Posted 3/6/11]