by Rabbi Judy Shanks
from the October 2007 Ruach
When God called Abram (soon to be renamed Abraham) to leave his homeland and journey to Israel to establish a new covenant with God, the Torah teaches that he and his wife Sarah brought with them “all the people they had gathered to them.” When the Israelites came out of Egypt, the Torah reports that “a mixed multitude” went with them. Non-Israelites joined the band of ex-slaves to witness God’s revelation at Sinai, to enter into the covenant and, forty years later, to settle as residents of the Promised Land of Israel.
From the ancient origins of our people until the present day, we Jews have been blessed by “strangers” becoming family. Some have converted formally, some have been fellow travelers and invaluable supporters of Jewish life without conversion. We are grateful, at Temple Isaiah, to have many non-Jews who are living Jewish lives and helping to create Jewish lives for their spouses, children, and grandchildren. Our community is blessed by their presence, by their generosity of spirit, by their commitment to our synagogue. Our leadership is proud of the warm and welcoming atmosphere we have worked to create at Isaiah that opens our doors wide to today’s “mixed multitude” of synagogue membership.
But we know and appreciate that it is not always easy to be part of a Jewish community when Jewish prayer, rituals, and holy day celebrations are not familiar or accessible. Hebrew can get in the way! Unfamiliarity with customs and “lingo” can get in the way! Fear of doing something wrong can get in the way! This goes for people who were born Jewish but who did not receive a Jewish education.
Your rabbis and cantor, your educator and your teachers, are all ready to answer your questions – small and large – to ease your way. No question or concern is trivial or silly, especially if it reduces your comfort and appreciation of participation at Temple Isaiah. Stop us, call us, ask us, get the answers you need to deepen your experience.
Our Outreach/Membership committee is offering programs throughout the year to help all segments of our community be and feel more a part of Temple life. The first, on October 14, will be “Heaven Help Me – the Non-Jewish Mother’s Guide to Planning a Bar/Bat Mitzvah.” Don’t feel overwhelmed: come get advice and support as you look ahead to an important day in the life of your child and your family. Two workshops will be held during the two sessions of Religious School.
The Jewish journey has always had twists and turns, ups and downs. We have lived in every part of the world since our birth in Israel, and at every stop we have been strengthened by those who join us on our great journey of faith and mitzvot. May we continue to reap those blessings from each other, forming one strong community of friendship and connection!
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