Above: Molly, left, with Cantor Sara Anderson and Kyle S at a Young Members Circle Event.
In her first years after graduating college, Molly was searching for a sense of community. She turned to a familiar place she had known since childhood: Temple Emanu-El.
She began attending events through the Young Members Circle. Eventually she joined the board. For the past 5 years, she has been one of the group’s co-leaders as the Young Members Circle has continued to grow.
“The number one thing I tell people is ‘You need to find people that you can connect with as an adult and that have the same values and outlook on life,’ “ she said. “A synagogue is a really good place to do that.”
Before leading the Young Members Circle, Molly grew up at Temple Emanu-El. A third generation member, she attended Religious School and celebrated her Bat Mitzvah at Temple Emanu-El. She has fond memories of attending High Holy Days services with her parents and grandparents, sitting in the same seats every year.
As a Religious School student, Molly’s teachers wrote in her report cards that she was the connector at a school. All these years later, she has reprised that role, helping fellow congregants make connections that will sustain the synagogue through its next 180 years.
“It’s really nice to feel that I have helped to build a community, foster friendships, and create relationships that are meaningful to other people,” she said.
