I would like to take a few moments to look at these initiatives from a slightly different, yet equally important perspective. I have written often of the value of membership to the member as well as to BAJC. One of these benefits is the opportunity to be part of working committees, which organize and promote the varied activities which we all find so memorable. Our successful Israeli Film and Food Festival, which followed our moving Dedication a year earlier, was indeed helped by many willing hands, yet neither would have occurred without the dedicated efforts of committees tasked with seeing that these events come to pass. Our Ritual Committee works hard to assure that our Shabbat services, our holiday services, our High Holiday Services and our ritual practices are they best that we can offer. Our Fundraising Committee has put on special events year after year to bridge the gap between what our dues raise and what our Congregation needs to run. Our Education Committee not only transitioned our school and our kids from a temporary building to our own Shul without significant disruption, but deals with the ongoing challenges of growth and space; and of methods and curriculum. Our Social Action Committee seeks to help heal the world – both the world within our Brattleboro area, as well as on a global basis. We have large committees (Membership) and small subcommittees (What Do We Do with the Barns Subcommittee). We have permanent committees (Rabbi Liaison) and temporary committees (Reform of Dues Subcommittee).
I speak of committees for several reasons. First, we want to refurbish and recreate our Sunshine Committee. This is highlighted elsewhere in this Newsletter. Part of what we do and part of who we are is that we try to make and maintain contact with those that need a call, a visit, a card or a similar “touch.” We need a group who will help with this mitzvah. For those of you considering a possibly greater involvement with BAJC, this is a wonderful opportunity.
In a larger sense, our committees are the places where much of the “work” of BAJC gets done. It is also where enduring friendships are established; where the nuts and bolts of building an enduring spiritual community are put together; and one of the places where, in the words of our mission statement, “…we foster Jewish pride and identity by participating together in religious, spiritual, educational, social and cultural experiences”.
I lived some years ago in Chicago, and would visit from time to time the magnificent Baha’i House of Worship in a nearby suburb. A gleaming white stone temple, it has nine sides with nine entrances. There are many doorways to rooms of spirit, to rooms of social action and to rooms of learning. Our rooms at BAJC are open and welcoming. Please consider joining a committee and sharing your spirit and energy.
B'Shalom,
Paul
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