You, Me and the Sea
Thu, September 8, 2011
It was a beautiful Friday, late afternoon, in August. I was in the Aegean Sea near the Greek island of Rhodes. Shabbat was coming. Earlier in the day, we had visited the synagogue of Rhodes (you will hear more about that in my Kol Nidre sermon). I had so many thoughts and feelings as I tried to process how history had destroyed a once thriving Jewish community, yet again. Once again, I found myself struggling to find the ‘recipe’ that might insure Jewish survival for another generation. And…in my heart, I needed Shabbat.
It was one of those Shabbats, during my sabbatical, when I truly missed the magic of B’nai Shalom on Friday night – the community, the music, the familiar prayers. It was “me and the sea” for this Shabbat prayer before dinner. The sun shining on the sea, the wind on my face, and the prayers in my heart would be my sanctuary this night. I often tell my students that memorizing the prayers and knowing them by heart helps when a prayerbook isn’t handy.
L’cha Dodi…Barchu…Shema…Mi Chamocha…Avot v’imahot…Gevurot…Shalom Rav…Mi Shebeirach…Oseh Shalom…Aleinu…Kaddish…Adon Olam…the music and words transported me from the beauty of the Aegean Sea to a Shabbat place known only to me and to God. Time stopped and my soul felt light and free. “You, me, and the sea, God!” With each chanted prayer, I could feel my Jewish soul connect with all the history and sacrifice of Jews throughout the ages, who made our survival the priority of their lives. Then I let go of the “rabbi” part of me. With each memorized word, I was free to be just me – just a Jew alone in prayer, on the sea.
But, I wasn’t alone. You were with me. All of you were a part of my prayers on that 12th of Av 5771. I realized that even on sabbatical, thousands of miles from home, a part of my heart and Jewish soul is always connected to you. I could hear your voices as I chanted, and the harmonies of your hearts as I sang into the wind. On the Shabbat when you were reading the Shema from the Torah, and I was saying it in Greece, we were connected.
Like Dorothy in Oz, I learned an important lesson so far away from home. Not only is “there is no place like home,” I realized how important my community is to helping me be and stay meaningfully Jewish. Gary and I visited a few synagogues on our journey, and none of them are still in regular use. The people are gone and all that remains are the symbols and echoes of a Judaism that once was. Together, you and I have the ability to strengthen today’s Jewish community and to build a strong foundation for the Judaism of the future, through the children we are all invested in raising together. Together, we have the privilege of bringing in a New Year filled with possibility and hope. Together, we can devote ourselves to lives of Torah and tradition. Together, we can bring hope and healing, peace and prosperity for our faith, our families, our friends, and our future. Together, we can bring in a New Year energized by the vitality that Temple B’nai Shalom provides, which enables us to live meaningful Jewish lives.
A new month, a new school year, a new Jewish year is before us. May we cherish our synagogue and one another from Shabbat to Shabbat, and holiday to holiday. Thank you for the sabbatical time that nourished my soul and served to renew me spiritually. I return to you ever committed to the sacred tasks of Jewish life.
From our house to yours, Shanah Tovah – Happy New Year 5772!
Rabbi Amy R. Perlin, D.D.