Voices for WRJ: Parashat B’shalach

by Soozi Waxman This week’s Torah portion is B’shalach from Exodus 13:17-17:18. It begins with Pharaoh letting the Israelites go, then Moses leading them the long way instead of through the land of the Philistines, Pharaoh changing his mind and going after the Israelites, the Sea of Reeds parting and the Israelites crossing on dry land, Miriam with her timbriel singing with the women, and so many more! Among them is a midrash about two Israelites: Reuben and Simeon. A short story, but one that talks wonderfully about life and how we need to be aware of what is happening around us each and everyday. The midrash says that amidst the miracle of the crossing the Sea, Reuben and Simeon didn’t see what was happening on each side of them. They were too busy looking down and complaining about all the mud gathering on their feet. Amazing how short sighted some can be! Today, there continues to be miracles happening around us. Sure, they may not be as big and flashy as the splitting of the Sea of Reeds. But, even if they were, I believe–at some time or another–we may all get like Reuben and Simeon: focus on the challenges and not on the accomplishments. For example, if we wake in the morning complaining, “that it’s too early,” we may miss the beautiful and miraculous sunrise or simply overlook the miraculous nature of being able to wake and get out of bed. As WRJ begins its next 100 years, it’s a great time to look around and behold the miracles, the accomplishments we’ve experienced with God’s help over the past century of our organization. Recently, as I traveled as WRJ Southwest District Area Director through the states of Arkansas and Louisiana to visit my sisterhoods, then onto Mississippi to visit my son and daughter-in-law, and finally back to my St. Louis, MO home, one of those countless miracles became really apparent: Though we have the miracle of technology to better guide and connect us (not just my GPS but WRJ webinars and conference calls), nothing can replace God’s gifts of in-person gatherings. In such intimate moments as sisters, we often receive more than what we have given: relationships initiated, friendships developed, life-long companions solidified with sisters in Israel, South America, Canada and the United States. We’ve learned so much about our own religion that we never knew. And, who can forget the Mah Jongg games, which we can have whenever and wherever we want them! And that personal miracle of our organization has clearly spawned many communal blessings. Our kids have benefited from our support of NFTY and the URJ camps. We have family and friends we know who have attended HUC-JIR thanks to our involvement. We belong to an organization where social action and tikkum olam is so important, giving voice to those who have been silenced. And, we solidly work in relationship with the Religious Action Center (RAC) towards the greater social welfare of our world. There is a quote by Alexander Graham Bell that says: “When one door closes, another opens, but we often look so long and regretfully upon the closed door that we don’t see the one that has opened for us.” So, let’s refrain from being like Reuben and Simeon. As we look back and around at all the good that has happened in this past 100 years, let’s also look forward to all the good that is yet to come. Soozi Waxman is a WRJ Board of Director member, WRJ Southwest District Area Director and Past Sisterhood President of Shaare Emeth in St. Louis, MO.