You Belong Here
Opening Words by Rabbi Kolby during the “You Belong Here” event held on July 3, 2025.
We’re so thrilled to welcome you to this special gathering hosted by STAND, my name is Rabbi Kolby and I am on the STAND Advisory Council…. Others on the council please STAND and be recognized. First and foremost, a huge thank you to our generous sponsors: Dusky Grouse, Smell That Bread, and Colorado Bagel for feeding both body and soul, and deep gratitude to the Bud Werner Library for graciously hosting us in this beautiful space. And thank you to Araceli and Traci, who were the visionaries of this evening’s celebration.
Usually STAND has informational convenings on a variety of topics. Today, we wanted to try something different. A celebration. This event is grounded in a simple but powerful intention: We ALL belong here in Routt County, in this community, and in this country.
At a time when trans teens are choosing suicide rather than being bullied and tortured at school, when Jewish people are afraid to pray in synagogue and wear their kippahs in public, and when immigrants and migrants are being degraded, demeaned, and not given their rights of due process…. We felt like its time for us here at STAND to say loudly and proudly….. not here! That’s exactly what today is about: showing up for one another right here, with heart, courage, and compassion.
A few months ago, some of us sat at Queer Futures and asked each other what we can actually do about discrimination in Routt County. One member of our conversation, an immigrant and a person of color, shared from their heart and told us that what could be most helpful is to simply walk with her to the grocery store so she doesn’t feel so afraid. That’s it! It’s not always the grand gestures, the million dollar donations (although those are always welcome) that make the biggest difference for someone who feels isolated and afraid. Sometimes it’s just a simple generous act of chesed (loving kindness) that can do the most good.
In Jewish tradition, we’re taught that each person carries a divine spark: that every human being is created b’tzelem Elohim, and has worth. That means that every one of us brings something sacred, something irreplaceable, to this community and this world.
So today, especially in these trying times, we say loudly and proudly (say it after me):
The trans community belongs here.
The immigrant and refugee community belongs here.
The Jewish community belongs here.
LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and Latinx communities belong here.
You belong here! I belong here! We all belong here!
On the eve of this nation’s Independence Day, we invite you to celebrate the incredible diversity of this community. Meet someone new. Take a snack. Have a seat. Make a connection. (announce the icebreaker bingo, encourage folks to fill out belonging board, and take a photo with our I STAND for sign. We will come back together at 6:00 for some group activities led by Traci and Araceli.
The strength of the STAND community is that we all have a story to tell. Let’s honor each other by listening, sharing, and celebrating together. Happy 4th of July weekend…and here’s to STANDing for the beautiful, diverse, and accepting place we call home. Let’s raise a toast: to life, to embracing all, and to belonging. L’chaim!