Unity

Tonight was the first official night of this Momentum journey that I have embarked on with nine incredible women from Montreal – Anat, Ora, Davina, Mindy, Elana, Carole, Lindsay, Michelle, and Ann. 

On a personal level, I’ve come on this trip because I’ve decided this is going to be the start of a year about me. As mothers and wives, we are so often thinking about everyone else, settling everyone for the beginning of a school year, planning holiday dinners, managing the household, planning vacations, directing homework, and extracurricular activities. For me, I can also add managing the health of 3000 patients and queen of organization and managerial services! This year, I’m putting myself at the top of the to-do list. I’m going to focus and prioritize myself, not an easy task I’m trying to implement. But for my overall health and happiness, it is something I am going to strive for.  

As women, we have a great gift. We have the ability to make a change. It is our mandate as Jewish women to pass down our values and traditions so that our unique Jewish culture thrives. As Trip Leader Lori Palatnik lectured tonight, Jewish values cannot be outsourced. They are ours to model. It’s our privilege and our obligation to pass these values on to our children.  

Tonight was unbelievable. One word comes to mind – Unity. That’s the feeling that was in the air as 200 women, Jewish women from around the world, became connected to start this incredible, Momentous journey. From all different walks of life and having different religious and cultural practices, we came together and shared in food and dance. It was magical. The energy in the room was palpable. We danced and sang our hearts out, we pulled each other into rounds of horas and swayed in unison. We were united yet not uniform.  

I am anxiously awaiting what tomorrow brings.

Dr. Leslie Solomon
JPPS Bialik
Montreal, QC, Canada