The word of the moment seems to be “unprecedented” --not that it quells our sense of disappointment or nagging anxiety in the face of uncertainties that abound.
My favorite midrash addresses this reality. The Israelites face an “unprecedented” redemption from Egypt and God responds with empathy, compassion and transparency, “I’ve never orchestrated a redemption like this either,” God admits to the Israelites. “Nevertheless, let’s work together and we will get through it!”
That’s just where we stand. We note that just as our times are unprecedented, our actions can be too. This moment provides us with the opportunity to be our best selves in ways we never dreamed before. We can be more patient, kinder, more generous and open hearted. The choice is ours.
That is the true meaning of emunah (faith) in Hebrew. It is easy to dismiss faith as a passive acceptance of the status quo. The Jewish tradition teaches that, on the contrary, faith is about trust and action. It empowers us to respond to the prophetic call to “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God” (Micah, 6:8).
We can care for one another and work for justice as we never have before. As these Jewish values ground us, the warmth of our Beth-El family nourishes us on this journey.
As each passing day gives “unprecedented” new meaning, I am grateful to walk with each of you as we work together to rise up and meet this moment.
Charles Alden Frances Berk Richard H. Blank Farrel Jaffa Sloan Myles Jaffa Pauline Rubin Kaplan Maxwell Mann Joan Adler Mark Merwin Sibulkin Alvin Stallman Herbert Talan
YIZKOR ELOHIM The Congregation joins in mourning the death of
David A. Robinson H. Jack Feibelman William Hoffman Hazel Grossman Geraldine Lisker Alvin Kurzer
