*Note:  This messsage is a little longer than usual*

Dear Hevreh,

A brief glimpse into any moment Jewish history reveals that we have been pulled by two, often opposing, poles — towards our connection with our people and towards being a part of the greater society.  As such one of the tenets of Conservative Judaism that makes me a Conservative Jew, is that we can be both — we can be good Jews and good members of society.

Two upcoming events for our community clearly demonstrate our commitment to this belief.

1) Super Sunday Phone-a-thon for Jewish Federation of Middlesex County, this Sunday 1/13 8:30 am — 2:00 pm; 5:30 pm — 9:00 pm

We have always been a people of small numbers, yet we continually demonstrate strength that is greater than those numbers.  One of the reasons is because we know we have to work together and pool our financial, time, and spiritual resources together to make a difference for our community.  No moment exudes that commitment for our community to work on behalf of klal yisrael, the Jewish people, than volunteering our time and spiritual resources to raise critical financial resources for our extended Jewish community.

Not only will these resources help us achieve our goals as a synagogue community and member of the Middlesex Jewish community, but they will help show Jews from other areas of the country that we are a vibrant and exciting Jewish community for them to be apart of.  I will be volunteering for the night shift from 5:30-9:00 on Sunday night — I would love for you to join me in the evening or represent our community in the morning/afternoon.  Please let me know if you are planning on coming.

2) Day of Service on behalf of Hurricane Sandy Relief, Monday March 21st — in partnership with St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in honor of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service

The Jewish people have always understood the value of g’milut hasadim, of acting out of a sense of lovingkindness.  The command to do these kinds of acts for all people is one of the ways we act as Jews according to the popular rabbinic saying:  “On 3 things does the world stand:  On Torah, on Worship, and on Acts of Lovingkindness.”

This is an opportunity for us to follow through on that final dictum and come together with our faith partners at St. Peter’s to do God’s work on behalf of those afflicted by a terrible environmental tragedy which has affected all of us.  If you are interested in helping organize the event, please email me at ari.saks@gmail.com.  If you are interested in attending the event, please email Elliot at officebethmordecai@gmail.com.

May this Shabbat be a moment to remind us that by connecting to our people and connecting to our world, we also connect to our God.

Kol Tuv,

Rabbi Ari Saks

Category : Middlesex Jewish News Perth Amboy News Rabbi Rabbi's Journal
Tag : Day of Service Federation hurricane sandy Jewish klal yisrael Middlesex County society St. Peter's Episcopal Church world