Thanks, Give, Take (November KOL)
Tue, November 1, 2011
The day after Sukkot ends, my vision turns toward Thanksgiving. I take all of the messages of our Jewish thanksgiving, and add a hefty dose of American pride and celebration as the plans begin. What kind of stuffing this year? How much turkey will we need for each guest, and most of all, I anticipate the wonderful service we share with our friends from Abiding Presence Lutheran Church.
This year we host the church members at TBS, Wednesday night, November 23rdat 8 p.m. Our adult and youth choirs will sing with theirs. We will fill our sanctuary with music and good will. We will give thanks for the 25 years we have been sharing this service together. I am looking forward to having Pastor Keseley preach from our bimah. We have formed a wonderful friendship, since she took over the pulpit last year. I know you will be taken with her enthusiasm and her passion for the sacred work we share. Please join us for my favorite service of the year. Bring relatives and friends for an hour of ecumenical love and thanksgiving!
As this is the year that I won’t be giving a Thanksgiving sermon, I thought I would address my Thanksgiving message to you in this forum. As members of our congregation, I thank you for fulfilling the mitzvah of belonging. Your membership makes it possible for us to educate every child and offer a plethora of adult learning opportunities. Your generosity makes it possible for a rabbi to be here for our members in joys and sorrows, in sickness and in health. Your commitment to the continuity of TBS and Judaism strengthens the Jewish future and enriches our vision of being a caring community. This Thanksgiving, I thank you for making it a Blessing to Belong.
Last night, many of us filled a family room, as we gathered for a minyan. I was reminded how wonderful our Bereavement Committee is. Chaired by Bill Ade, the devoted volunteers of this committee reach out to families in need at a vulnerable time of grief and loss. They handle all of the logistics, freeing up the rabbis to focus on emotionally and religiously supporting each family. I am always taken by the fact that the giving in going to a minyan (even if you don’t know the people) comes full circle when those who were the takers of our caring communitybecome the givers when their need passes.
I hope that you view your affiliation at TBS in a similar way. There are many times that life is good and you have time and talents to share. There are times when you do as much as you can to give of yourself and your resources to sustain this congregation we love and to help your fellow members. But, I also want you to remember that there are times that you need to take. If you go through a loss, we are here for you. If you are battling a disease or chronic illness we are here for you. If you need emotional support or financial consideration, we are here for you.
The give and take of temple life may not be readily visible until you are faced with an illness or death, crisis or life cycle. As one woman told me recently, “I didn’t realize how much I need the temple, until this crisis hit our lives.” In this season of giving and being thankful, I encourage those of you who are in need to take. Take what we have to give and know that we give it with a full heart.
May your year be filled with the harvest of your love and labors. My family wishes all of you a blessed Thanksgiving.
Thankfully yours,
Rabbi Amy R. Perlin, D.D.
P.S. Gary and I want to thank everyone for all the good wishes as both of our sons got engaged in September. We appreciate your mazel tovs! Thank you!