Making
Community A Priority
By David Kasakove
As
we head into the year 2009, I’d like to take a moment to thank all of you for
your continued support of our Congregation and to take a look at what we’ve
accomplished since the beginning of our Jewish New Year.
During
the High Holy Days, I asked that, as a congregation, we dedicate ourselves not
only to the present, but to the future of our community. I am very grateful
that so many of you have taken up this challenge, and have made the life of our
community a priority in your lives. I have seen this happen in countless
ways—in the literally thousands of hours that so many of you donate to our
congregation by serving on our board, and on committees, by performing acts of
chesed and loving kindness for members of our community, by observing the
mitzvot associated with the life cycles, by engaging in study and prayer, and
by giving so generously to our Congregation through your donations.
Thanks
to all of you, our Annual Fund’s Yom Kippur Appeal broke our previous record by
a large margin as we raised over $200,000, and our rate of participation rose
to 53% (and still growing). Many of you gave significantly more than last year,
and many of you gave for the first time. In these stressful economic times, it takes
courage and faith to give, and all the more to give generously. The Yom Kippur
Appeal is critical to our Congregation—not only to continue and improve present
programming but also to continue to undertake the repairs that we need to renew
our buildings. Indeed, as we look at the beautifully restored Temple House (and
walk into a building that is now dry inside even on rainy days!) you see the
dramatic positive impact that your giving has already accomplished. We look
forward to continuing this work, thanks to your support.
In considering our success despite the current
economic circumsatances, I can’t help but reflect back to when our people lived
in the Sinai desert, with the memories of slavery still fresh. With their
future uncertain, Moses brought together the Israelites, and God commanded the
entire community: “Take from among you gifts to the Eternal, everyone whose
heart is so moved.” (Exodus 35:5). And so it was that the Israelites
contributed generously to the building of the Tabernacle, the portable
sanctuary in which was housed the Ten Commandments.
It
is taught that God commanded the building of the sanctuary not for God’s
benefit, but as an expression of love for the Israelite community. It was
through the act of building the Tabernacle that the Israelites transformed
themselves from a rabble of former slaves into a kahal—a true community.
A community in which God might dwell.
And
so it is with us. As we join together, contribute fully, and become
increasingly engaged in each others’ lives, we become a true community and
enjoy its blessings. It is through our continued acts of joining in community,
and building community, that we overcome the uncertainty of the moment, find
the strength to live lives of meaning, blessing, and goodness, and create a
sacred space where God might dwell.
I
thank each of you for your dedication to our community.
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