By Olivia Wang
Today, I want to take a moment to thank someone incredibly special…my mom.
She’s not only the reason I’m standing here, but the reason I found my place in this Temple community. This place has been a part of her life since she was young, attending services, Dharma School, and YBA, all thanks to her dad for bringing her here. And now, she’s passed that tradition on to me. For that, I’ll always be deeply grateful.
When I was younger, I didn’t always understand why coming to Temple mattered. There were plenty of mornings I didn’t want to get out of bed. But my mom never pushed it. Instead, she encouraged me with patience and warmth, knowing from her own experience that eventually, I’d come to understand why this place was so meaningful. And, as always, she was right.
Over time, my connection to the Temple and YBA grew. I started to see the ways people showed up for each other, how they supported one another, and how everyone worked together to create something bigger than themselves. Whether it was preparing for events, volunteering, or attending conferences, I found myself surrounded by a community that lived out values like teamwork, kindness, and compassion, not just in words, but through action.
Through those experiences, I’ve learned the power of selfless giving. I’ve seen how even the smallest tasks can contribute to something meaningful. I’ve learned how to lead, how to listen, and how to be someone others can count on. These aren’t lessons I learned from a textbook—they came from being in a community that leads by example.
And some of the best memories I’ve made have come from moments that were just pure fun, like our YBA trips to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. I’ll never forget being the one urging everyone to run into the freezing ocean with me. It wasn’t about the rides or the games; it was about laughing together, forming bonds, and feeling like we belonged.
All of these moments, the lessons, the laughter, the relationships have shaped the person I’m becoming. They’ve taught me about responsibility, gratitude, and the importance of living with compassion. These are values I’ll carry with me into college, my future career, and the relationships I’ll build along the way.
And at the heart of all of this is my mom. She didn’t just introduce me to this community—she lived these values out loud, showing me through her own example what it means to stay connected, to give back, and to lead with love. Watching her stay involved today reminds me that this isn’t a community you grow out of—it’s one you grow with.
So, on this Mother’s Day, I want to say thank you, Mom. Thank you for guiding me here, for sharing this community with me, and for teaching me what it means to live a meaningful life. I hope to carry forward everything I’ve learned and, one day, share it the same way you shared it with me.
Thank you.
Olivia Wang