Dear Hevreh,

Who doesn’t like exchanging gifts? Who doesn’t like the excitement of opening up a box full of mystery and opportunity — is it a toy? a book? a piece of jewelry? The anticipation of ripping through that wrapping paper can be thrilling, even if it’s just for a moment.

Yet there is also the other side of gift giving: the trepidation that we didn’t get the right gift. As a giver, we are anxious to not disappoint our loved one with our gift-choice, and as a receiver, we are cautious that our reaction may hurt the feelings of the giver. From personal experience I can tell you that I’ve felt these disparate emotions — excitement and trepidation — at the same gift giving moment.

Perhaps one of the reasons why exchanging gifts can be one of the highest of highs and also the lowest of lows, is because at its core gift giving exposes our connection to one another. Each gift represents the sharing of a part of oneself in response to a latent (or not so latent) need of the other, and when done reciprocally the act of gift giving has the potential to unify the emotions and feelings we have for one another. No wonder it’s so scary :).

Just as we exchange gifts as people, we exchange gifts as peoples. Our distinct cultures, religions, and ethnicities are not only shaped by our unique history but by the gifts we give to other groups, and by the gifts they give to us. Join us this Saturday Morning at 10 am for our Cantor Showcase as we explore, as a community and as part of the Jewish people, The Gifts We Give and The Gifts We Receive.

Kol Tuv,

Rabbi Ari Saks

P.S. If you would like to help us in providing OUR GIFT to the community with our DELECTABLE KIDDUSH,please consider making a donation to the synagogue in honor of the Cantor Showcase by clicking on this link.

Category : Cantorial Showcase Rabbi Rabbi's Journal
Tag : cantor showcase Cantorial Showcase gifts