Voices of WRJ: Shabbat Chol Hamoed Sukkot

by Patti Grossman This week is Shabbat Chol Hamoed Sukkot, and our Torah portion is Exod. 33:12-34:26. The parashah deals with Moses’ persistence in seeking God’s leadership and support for the people, who have abandoned their trust in God. This portion is read during Sukkot and causes us to reflect on the most important values of our lives. We think about that which is temporary and that which is permanent. During this festival, we “live” in our succot. We eat together, outside, under the sun, rain and stars. We enjoy the company of those whom we love and we reflect on the transience of possessions -- the “stuff” we accumulate -- and reaffirm our relationships with God, family and friends, which we cherish. We celebrate the harvest that produces enough for ourselves and we share what we have with others. We celebrate the miracle and the work which has brought yet another harvest to us. We think about how we could live with less, we remember those who lack shelter and food and we re-focus our concerns on others. We rejoice in our relationships with our families and friends and the institutions and organizations which fulfill us: our temples and charities, our volunteer work, our professional work. We re-dedicate ourselves to the activities, programs and people who enrich our lives and help us to become our best selves. For those of you reading this, WRJ is high on this list. Stronger together, we work internationally and locally to fulfill the dream of tikkun olam. We respond with a resounding “Yes” when the call to action arises. For 100 years, WRJ has helped to heal the world, provided funding for Jewish education, risen to the call for social action, helped to fund rabbinic and cantorial education and focused on programs which address the plight of women and children who, too often, are the forgotten victims of political strife. We have an opportunity in December to applaud what is, for us, a permanent shelter. Join us in San Diego December 11-15 at WRJ’s 49^th Assembly and Centennial Celebration. Together we shall reaffirm this important “shelter” in our lives. Patti Grossman is a WRJ Board Member and member of Temple Beth Shalom in Needham, MA.