Being a Rabbi without Borders means looking at the rabbinate in ways not grounded in any movement. It means that we must concentrate on ideologies and actions that unite us — and fight against the forces that seek to disjoin us. It means looking at new ways and avenues to bring healing to a world. Working with the Good People Fund for the past three years, our congregation has been involved with McRoberts, Kentucky — a community in the heart of Appalachia. We have worked to support the elementary school, distributed food and housewares and fixed homes. We have involved Redistribution centers in Denver, Colorado and Food Pantries in Cleveland, Ohio in our programs. This past summer we partnered with another congregation from Lancaster, Pennsylvania and are working to include more congregations and bring medical personnel there as well. Below is a letter from our volunteer coordinators in McRoberts.

I am sitting at home thinking about the last 3 days and I am brought to tears (for about the 5th time today) at the love that has been shown by you and your friends. I can't even begin to describe how grateful that my family and community are to you. You have shown so much love to us by coming her and by letting us know that there are people that DO care and realize that we are human and not just a "bunch of dumb hillbillies" and for that, I thank you.

Rabbi Steve and Rabbi Jack you should be so very proud of the groups that came with you, especially the young members, it says so much about you that your members are so dedicated that they would come here and work so far away and so hard for people that they do not know. You have touched not only their hearts but ours as well.

I will tell you that the only items left in the center at @ 6:00 tonight was a few cans of tomato juice. I had so many people ask me to tell you "THANK YOU" that this helps them so very much. This one young lady came in at the end of the day and we had a half of box of cosmetics left that I actually was getting ready to throw out because it was all broken and she came in and starting going through the box and I watched her eyes light up like a child on Christmas morning...I told her just to take the box home with her and she just kept saying are you sure you don't mind, I can really have this? I assured her it was fine so she left with some food, a little make-up and a HUGE SMILE....I had another cry...

To all of you please feel free to stay in touch, Everett and I feel we have met so many new friends and we are so blessed to have done so. May our Lord continue to bless you and your families as He has done ours. Once again from us and so many here...THANK YOU!

Suzy & Everett

Steven Bayar is a Clal 2010 RWB Fellow. A graduate of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, he has been the Rabbi at Congregation Bnai Israel in Millburn New Jersey since 1989. He is co founder of Ikkar Publishing and has written over 50 curricula being used in over 1,000 educational settings throughout the world. His most recent book, &fquot;And You Shall Teach Them Diligently to Their Children" is a parent’s guide to the Good People Fund/Giraffe Curriculum on "Fixing the World."