What Insights Did 2020 Bring for You?

Our Sages teach us, “Words which emanate from the heart, enter the heart.”  In my third month as Momentum Board President, my heart wants to connect with each of you, my inspiration.

What insights did 2020 bring for you? 

Certainly, for the world and for myself, 2020 brought life to a screeching halt. Commutes to work, school, and after-school activities were canceled. Schedules were turned upside down as we all found ourselves alone with our families and adjusting to a new normal. For the first time in a long time, we needed to sit with ourselves. Our culture, which values action, achievement, movement, and progress experienced a system-wide shock. And so did we. We needed to face ourselves and our fears. 

My journey of connecting to my inner self began much earlier than 2020. It began after my family and I immigrated to America from the Former Soviet Union in 1989.  Unable to speak in a foreign language, I was forced to reach deep inside myself to discover strength I never knew I had. My first step? To embrace and tame my inner critic.  With time, I began to understand that my life was actually gifted to me by the American Jewish community. With tremendous gratitude, I started to seek out this incredible group. I yearned to learn why total strangers would invest in me simply because I was Jewish. What did being Jewish really mean?

On my Momentum Trip to Israel – the first one of its kind  – I began to understand that being Jewish meant living our lives as our best selves and holding ourselves to the highest of standards.  During our Hebrew naming ceremony in the Judean desert, anyone who did not have a Hebrew name was invited to give themselves one. I named myself Gila to honor my grandmother in whose memory I am named.

Years later, I looked up the Hebrew meaning of the name, Gila.  It brought tears to my eyes to learn that it means “joy,” and in particular, a joy connected with the revelation of God. Certainly, it is no accident that my immigrant journey has now brought me to all of you. I am grateful that I have been given the opportunity to serve in the organization that has brought tremendous meaning to my life – especially during a time when we are all searching for meaning.

I am curious about you – when the world stopped operating normally, were you able to put yourself on a path that inspires you and elevates you to live a more meaningful, purpose-driven life?

In life, the greatest opportunities come from the greatest obstacles.  My personal goal for 2021 is to see every obstacle as an invitation to greatness.

I hope you’ll join me.

Helen Zalik
Momentum Board President