Building Community and Connection
Building Community and Connection: YAD’s Journey Through San Antonio, Inspired by Parshat Vayeitzei
In Parshat Vayeitzei, we follow Jacob as he embarks on a journey filled with uncertainty and transformation. Leaving his family home in Beersheba, he ventures toward Haran, encountering the Divine along the way in a dream of a ladder reaching to the heavens. This moment marks the beginning of Jacob’s evolution into a leader, builder, and patriarch of a future nation. His story is one of leaving the familiar, navigating new experiences, and ultimately building a community and a legacy.
These powerful themes of journey and connection resonate deeply with the mission of the Young Adult Division (YAD) of the Jewish Federation San Antonio (JFSA). Like Jacob, the young Jewish adults of YAD are navigating a transitional period in life—many are new to the city, far from family, or seeking a community where they can belong and grow.
…
Just as Jacob encountered holiness in an unexpected place, declaring, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it” (Genesis 28:16), YAD strives to create sacred spaces for young Jewish adults across San Antonio, no matter their denomination. Whether gathering for a Shabbat dinner, a holiday celebration or a casual happy hour, each event is an opportunity to infuse ordinary spaces with a sense of Jewish identity, connection and community.
YAD’s first Shabbat dinner of the year celebrated the diverse cultures within the Jewish communities from around the world, much like Jacob’s dream connected heaven and earth. 32 young Jewish adults shared traditional Ashkenazi and Sephardic dishes alongside Jewish delicacies and traditions ranging from Italy to India, creating a tapestry of flavors and stories that highlighted the richness of Jewish identity from around the globe.
Jacob’s dream of the ladder symbolizes connection—between heaven and earth, between Gd and humanity. YAD has embraced this idea by building a “ladder” of connection across San Antonio. Through monthly happy hours in different neighborhoods, sprawling from Stone Oak to Alamo Heights and more, YAD is reaching young adults wherever they are, ensuring that no one feels disconnected from the community.
In Parshat Vayeitzei, Jacob pauses for the night, resting his head on a stone and experiencing a transformative vision. Similarly, YAD’s events like “S’mores in the Sukkah” provide young adults with moments to pause, reflect, and find joy in shared experiences while also celebrating the Jewish holidays. Sitting around a campfire under the stars, participants connected with one another in a relaxed, welcoming environment—a modern-day echo of Jacob’s encounter with the Divine.
Just as Jacob’s journey laid the foundation for the future of the Jewish people, YAD’s work is building the foundation for a vibrant, thriving young adult Jewish community in San Antonio that also paves the way for Young Jewish Adults to get involved in the Jewish community at large. Events like the recent Friendsgiving Shabbat and the upcoming Hanukkah party are more than just social gatherings; they are opportunities to strengthen relationships, celebrate Jewish identity, and create a legacy of connection and community.
As we approach the Hanukkah season—a time of light, resilience, and dedication—YAD looks forward to continuing its mission of fostering community, much like Jacob did on his journey. With every event, every new connection, and every shared celebration, YAD is creating a space where young Jewish adults can feel at home, no matter where their journey began or where it may lead. Like Jacob’s ladder, YAD is a bridge—connecting individuals, building community, and reaching ever higher toward a bright and inclusive future.
If you’re a young Jewish adult reading this edition of Chailights and aren’t part of YAD, please reach out to us! We would love to have you join this part of the tribe. We are STRONGER TOGETHER!
Shabbat Shalom
Eleanor Gossen, YAD Chair