Accept gifts for Me from everyone whose heart so moves him…and let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them. (Exodus 25:2, 8)
Since my arrival in August of 2006, the leaders and members of our congregation have been engaged in a deepening conversation about our renewal. This conversation has already impacted many aspects of our communal life from the mundane to the sublime. One example of the latter is our weekly group Torah study where the lens of congregational renewal often illuminates the message in the text. Hence our discussions frequently bring forth bits of collective wisdom that relate to our synagogue’s current circumstances.
This was precisely the case with the Torah portion of Terumah in which our nomadic desert ancestors received detailed instructions for building the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary in the middle of the community. In erecting what in essence became the very first house of worship (and the model for the Temple in Jerusalem), there was a true marriage of the material and spiritual. How so? Because along with the beams, poles, sacred objects and ornate decorations, its foundation required cooperation, good will and heart felt generosity, nedivut lev.
While the major work of building Beth Israel-Judea was completed more than half a century ago, the building of our spiritual community continues as a perpetual daily project. True, there are always new capital improvements, like the beautiful new ark doors in the sun-lit Rabbi Morris Fireside room and the planned green renovation of our social hall. But as Torah teaches, the purpose underlying our engagement with this special community, the thing that keeps us connected to it, is the good will and generosity of spirit that we feel and bring—a quality of relating that is absent from the world of commerce and other institutions of our daily lives.
As a modern rabbi I am constantly challenged to explain God to seekers and skeptics alike. While my understanding has shifted throughout my life, I have come to appreciate the classic Reconstructionist view in which God is made manifest in relationship. Some examples of this include treating one another with kindness and respect, giving others the benefit of the doubt, bringing our best selves into relationship, offering our gifts and talents to something greater than ourselves and giving openly and generously from our hearts to benefit the whole.
When we relate in these ways God’s presence dwells ever more fully and is felt ever more palpably within our relationships and our community. This should be obvious since doing these things makes us feel good! But because we live in a world that is often cold and unkind, we need a place of shared values and shared purpose where we can exercise our increasingly flaccid spiritual and relational muscles. Our spiritual home, Congregation Beth-Israel is OUR place.
Our Jewish community exists because the history and shared experiences that galvanized one generation constantly gives way to a vibrant new eager generation. Our smaller membership at BIJ presents us with an opportunity for face to face encounters with strangers whom we quickly come to know as friends. It is our willingness to exercise a generous spirit with our resources and reach out to make new bonds and connections that will revitalize this community.
As our customs change and new faces fill our congregation, our love for our community compels us to engage actively in the building and renewal of our spiritual home. What remains is the familiar friendliness and warmth, kindness and compassion, hospitality and generosity with which the congregation was built, and the promise that God’s presence will continue to dwell among us at Beth Israel Judea. Kayn yehi ratzon! May it be so!