WRJ Voices: D'Varim

In this week’s parashat we hear the voice of Moses retelling the journey from Egypt to the Promised Land.  This includes the explanation of why we had to spend 40 years in the desert. He also shows his time of weakness when he needs to look to others for help to get the people to the Promised Land.

As I was reading this parashah I kept thinking of my own current journey. My husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer just last year. This was the third time he was hit with cancer and I just didn’t think I was going to be able to get through the journey with all the responsibilities I had taken on, one of them being President of my sisterhood. How was I going to keep up with making sure my sisterhood was running efficiently and be there for my sisters while trying to stay strong and be there for my husband?  Just like Moses, I needed to reach out to my community and ask for help. I was blessed that my board stepped up to the plate and made sure things were running smoothly while I was given the time to make sure my husband was being well taken care of and making it to all his treatments.

This is one of the beauties of belonging to an organization such as WRJ.  We are blessed to have all of our sisters to reach out to in times of need. Moses knew he could not take care of such a large group of people so he had to choose someone from each tribe to help move the people forward. Just as we have a leader, she must have people help move things along to be successful.

My journey with my husband is not an easy one. We have good days and bad days. Just like when our people were in the desert wandering, hoping to see the Promised Land, there were good days and bad days, but they had each other to lean on and get through the rough times.

It is so important when you are at a convention or at a sisterhood meeting, or just at an event that you remember, that each of the women you meet is someone you can rely on and reach out to in your time of need. Moses and many of the people didn’t get to enter the Promised Land but that did not stop them from working towards getting those who would enter to their destination. This is the blessing of WRJ. Many women will help you with your journey without looking for anything in return except the joy of seeing you succeed.

My husband and I continue our fight against his cancer with many of my sisters in the wings to help.  It could be just a phone call to check in or a meal to make sure he is eating, but most of all it is the joy of their caring that keeps me strong, and like Moses, I rely on the strength of others to keep me going.

Lynn Gelber is a member of Congregation Beth Israel in Portland, Oregon.  She has served on the sisterhood Board as Treasurer, Fund Raising Chair, and recently as President. She was instrumental in planning the Centennial celebrations this past year that included a Havdalah service and a Birthday bash. Lynn is a recent recipient of The Song of Miriam award for her charity work in the community. Lynn now sits on the WRJ Board as a member-at-large and will continue to play an active role in her sisterhood.