Message From The Rabbi

Rabbi Spike Anderson

One of the metaphors that Judaism employs to explain the ‘reach’ of any mitzvah that we might do is the pebble thrown into the still pond.  Expanding concentric circles quickly move beyond ourselves and our home, and into society and the world.  In other words, Judaism holds that what we do matters.  Big time. 

This metaphor also serves as an answer to the existential question of reward and punishment for any deed that we do.  The deed is the pebble, and the reward or punishment is that we have caused more of that to ripple beyond the immediate action.  Our reward for ‘good’ is that we cause more good.  Our ‘punishment’ for ‘sin’ is that we enable harm to expand.

Taking this metaphor even deeper into the personal, our tradition holds that we, ourselves, are not the ones casting that stone, but that we are the stone itself.  In other words, we can be the people who begin to make the change, or the difference, in the time (and space) that we actively encounter. 

This is a deeply empowering worldview, and emblematic of Judaism at its core.

A real-life example of this would be our Temple Emanu-El Board of Directors (our Trustees), who take their time and effort to ensure that Torah continues to emanate from our synagogue, and that TE is both vibrant and healthy.   In volunteering to engage with the synagogue at its center, they, in turn, influence Jewish life for our 850 (or so) congregant families.  Their efforts benefit us all, deeply. 

This Friday night, at a special Shabbat service, we will honor our Board of Directors and install our new Trustees.  This is an uplifting and inspiring evening when you can support our lay-leadership and express your gratitude for their altruism.  You are (as always!) invited… won’t you please join us!

Temple Emanu-El’s Co-Presidents, Vice Presidents, and Trustees are:

Co-Presidents
   Art Katz
   Emily Sanders

Vice-Presidents
   Jackie Beres
   Grant Stein

Treasurer
   Bill Kellert

Recording Secretary
   Ellen Lindemann

Trustees
   Karen Asher
   Arianne Belzer-Carroll
   David Bieber
   Jaimie Chausmer
   Mark Feinberg
   Lori Goldberg
   Marvin Goldstein
   Ben Halpern
   Marcia Hauler
   Spencer Horowitz
   Gui Nebel
   Ian Schonberg
   Bill Sukenik

Immediate Past-President
   Dana Neiger

Brotherhood Co-Chairs
   Jeff Pollock
   Ian Schonberg

Sisterhood Co-Chairs
   Ellen Gilmer
   Libby Pollock

TEchone President
   Adon Seskin