 |
March 2
|
February 27, 202 |
Dear Friends,
Have you ever heard the phrase “the devil is in the details”? That is certainly one way one can approach this week’s Torah portion. Parshat Terumah, "donation" (Exodus 25:1-27:19), has within it two underlying questions: which details are we addressing? Which details matter? Once more, it becomes a situation of “ yes and,” not "either or." The physical world has the capacity of rooting us. As this Torah portion so eloquently teaches us there are different ways to feel rooted.
Terumah can be seen as something of a nexus of the ways in which we connect to the world. For some of us, the material world informs the way we live our lives. For others of us, it is the life of the mind and spirit that propels while others spend their lives trying to find a balance between the two.
But more than that we are given a process. We begin with the tangible, the items necessary for building this sacred space called the Mishkan, which will move with the people on their journey through the wilderness.
Announcements
March 4
Register HERE
Purchase your copy HERE
Includes Rabbi Linda's article: Torah Wisdom by 70 Over 70 (but who’s counting?)
Jan 26 | Feb 23 | Mar 16
Register HERE
 |
 |
 |
 |
When there is confluence of important markers of time, it behooves us to pay attention. This week marked the beginning of the month of Adar, a month we describe as bringing in joy and gladness. The same day marked the beginning of the Chinese New Year, the year of the horse. For Muslims, Ramadan began on the same day, a month of reflection, fasting and acts of charity. For our Christian neighbors, it is the start of Lent, a time of reflection as well. It is a time of convergence.
I invite us to take that in. These different traditions do not always coincide like this. I invite us to look around and focus upon the ways these different traditions converge and the ways in which, if we look to the similarities among us, we are able to recognize our common humanity.
Sometimes the mitzvah is simply the act of adjusting our perspective and opening ourselves up to one another.
Mitzvah of the Week
We are told again and again to remember our own journey so that we have compassion and act on behalf of others. Here are two organizations that we will be highlighting this year at Purim. Taking care of children helps them cope with their trauma and treating trauma creates the possibility of new beginnings. Our world needs healing now more than ever - even small acts make a difference.
Early Starters International empowers refugee and migrant families by creating safe, nurturing, and inclusive spaces that support early childhood development and family well-being. They focus on children ages 0-4, ensuring every child regardless of circumstance has access to learning, play, and emotional support. They operate spaces in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx. Click HERE to donate.
Kehilanu deals with recent ongoing trauma in Israel. It was created to tackle both individual and collective trauma, and to reach more people with lasting impact. They use two scaleable treatment models - professionally led support groups and Trauma Informed Community Building (TICB) workshops, offered at no or minimal cost. Click HERE to donate.
| Oseh shalom bimromav, hu ya'aseh shalom aleinu ve'al kol Israel, ve'imru, Amen. |
| May the One who makes peace in the heavens, make peace for us all and all the people of Israel. |
 |