|
My Rosh Hashanah sermon and my October newsletter column based on the concept of "Hineni", which means, "Here I am." “Hineni” is the response when God personally calls on someone to do something difficult and important. Abraham? "Hineni" Moses? "Hineni." It's a very complete and emotionally-charged response, d implying, "Here I am: ready, willing and able to do what is asked."
At BAJC, we are calling on our members to do something difficult and important…. to help us fulfill our mission “to provide a context and structure for people to be Jewish together in a rural environment.”
We are fortunate that many of you are already “here,” participating in membership, ritual, cemetery, fundraising, High Holiday, and Chevra Kaddisha committees. However, we need more of you to say “Hineni” for the following tasks:
- Adult Education Committee – Participation in Jewish educational experiences fosters community. We need one or two people to coordinate an adult learning program.
- Sunshine Committee – There are BAJC congregants facing illnesses and crises. As a community, we o reach out to these individuals. We need people to be available when folks need attention or help.
- Education Committee – We have dedicated teachers, a school director and a committee working to insure that our children have a meaningful Jewish education. The committee will be meeting once a month (the next three dates are November 22, December 20 and January 24 from ten to noon), and they would welcome your participation.
- Building & Grounds Committee – Winter is coming and repairs will be necessary. We need a committee to maintain optimum conditions in our buildings and to arrange for repairs when needed.
- Social Action – Since the 1950s, tikkun olam (repairing the world) has come to connote social action and social justice work. Join with other BAJC members to develop and implement programs that fulfill this mitzvah, this commandment.
I understand that there are many forces pulling at your time and commitments that you must fulfill, but I am asking you to find some time and energy for BAJC, recognizing its importance not only in your own life but also in our Jewish community and in the larger Brattleboro and world community. Stand up and say “Hineni.” It’s easy to volunteer or to get answers to any questions you may have. Just contact me!
Complete list of BAJC committees
B’shalom,
Marty
PS Two High Holiday post notes:
- A tradition at BAJC is for us to read aloud anonymous personal shortcomings during the Kol Nidre service. After these al cheyts are read, they are destroyed. I want you to know that this year, I removed the pieces of paper from my pocket and my puppy, Mollie, immediately ate them.
- After the high holidays, with my slate wiped clean, I immediately began to collect shortcomings for the coming year. Rather than wait until next Kol Nidre, I would like to publicly apologize to Mary for mistakenly not displaying the beautiful flowers she donated on Yom Kippur.
|
