In previous columns, we have quoted Twain, Berra, Churchill (erroneously), Santayana and Darwin. So, who in blazes is Aaron Miller?

Some of you know. You have worshiped with him, introduced him around town or welcomed him to your home for Shabbat, Passover, Hanukkah, High Holy Days and Sukkot. He’s a 20-something native of Chicago’s Highland Park and a graduate of Michigan with a degree in Metropolitan Strategic Development. He is also a Teach for America Fellow working with local kids at Clinton Middle School. What makes him most notable however, at least as far as GJT is concerned, is that he’s planning to stay in Tulsa once his Teach For America assignment is complete. He is helping to grow Jewish Tulsa.

We talked recently about his plans.  As the father of daughters living hundreds of miles away, I had to ask why he wasn’t going back to Chicago, Ann Arbor, Dallas or Indianapolis; all cities with friends and family. His observations are instructive and actually quite flattering. We are only paraphrasing his comments but suspect Aaron will be willing to elaborate if asked. In the meantime, we have summarized his observations, which ring true to us anyway.

First, he sees Tulsa as a good place to live with promising career potential. He feels and felt welcomed by the Jewish and educational communities and is impressed with the warmth and giving nature of our people and philanthropies. He sees us as a “… city on the rise” and mentioned a growing social scene downtown, on Brookside and on Cherry Street. He sees a growing number of people committed to making new things happen in Tulsa --- although he suggested that good leaders need good followers and that might be something we need to develop.

He talked about an “energy” and “passion” that many have for Tulsa and more than once, the support he’s felt from the local Jewish community. He likes the modest cost of living and ease of getting around. He believes he can make a difference here and that many people want to help that happen. He believes Tulsa offers him “… opportunity to make an impact” and believes we have a “… capacity for change.”

When asked what he would do to Grow Jewish Tulsa, he challenged us to go out and recruit the best and most promising young Jews we can find for whatever opportunity he can offer. “Tulsa isn’t on anyone’s radar and few if any young people are coming here on their own. You’ll have to go find them” and then sell your strengths.

I asked if his parents are happy with his decision to stay here versus moving back to Chicago. He explained that once he talked about the potential here, they understood the opportunity. It is nice too, to have supportive parents!

Aaron wants to make a personal and professional difference and believes he can have that kind of impact here --- perhaps easier and faster than he might in a larger city. Maybe we have further to go than the Jewish community in larger places but perhaps that very challenge is something we can offer to others.

It’s often said in fundraising that “… all giving is personal.” Aaron made the same case when he said the real attraction here are the people. The BOK Center and ONEOK Field are great and Gilcrease and Philbrook are wonderful assets. He did say he’s a fan of Cain’s Ballroom and that alone ought to make him an official Tulsan. That said, we can each Grow Jewish Tulsa by making a personal connection with our current and new neighbors. That’s what does the trick.

By the way, Aaron mentioned that a number of Teach for America Fellows completing their assignment here are thinking of staying. Apparently, we’re doing a lot of things right with some of our nation’s best and brightest.