WRJ Voices: T'rumah

On February 8, 1974, a very snowy evening 45 years ago, I became a Bat Mitzvah. On that Friday night, I chanted Haftorah, led the congregation in worship, and talked about my commitment to Judaism and plans to continue my Jewish education. After services, family and friends traveled the short ½ mile to our home for “supper after services.” The kids hung out in the playroom, the grownups circulated through the formal living room and den and food was served in the dining room. My cousin Tony served as bartender and a friend of the family was our photographer. When I reflect back, I recall both the struggle I had in learning my haftorah portion (chanting was not my thing then and is not my thing today) and how, really, I couldn’t wait to be done with Hebrew School. I clearly remember all the parts of my childhood synagogue – the bimah, the sanctuary, the social hall, the kitchen, the classrooms, and of course “the new wing.” The pictures of me on the bimah (taken in the afternoon, where you can see the heavy snow falling through our sanctuary windows) bring color to those memories but even after nearly 40 years, my mind can clearly wander through all the nooks and crannies of that sacred space.

This week’s Torah portion, T’rumah (Exodus 25:1 – 27:19) provides explicit directions for the Israelites as to how to build the Tabernacle along with specifying the gifts for them to bring so that the Tabernacle could to be constructed to these exacting directions. These gifts are to come not from every person but only “every person whose heart is so moved” (Exodus 25:2). With these gifts the Israelites will be able to build a sanctuary to enable God to dwell amongst them, to allow the Israelites to feel God’s presence. The Tabernacle is to include an Ark which will house the tablets of the Pact. There will be a covering over the ark and a table of acacia wood along with bowls, ladles, jars and jugs to offer libations and lampstand. The Tabernacle will be created out of fine twisted linen cloth, covered by a tent made of goats’ hair and strengthened by planks and bars of acacia wood. A curtain will be installed as a partition between the “Holy and Holy of Holies” (Exodus 26:33) and a screen will be placed at the entrance of the Tent.

The Tabernacle described in this week’s parashah is very different from contemporary synagogues and temples – both in form and function. But what is still very true is that the building (or remodeling) of a modern house of worship depends on gifts given by those who are moved to do so. As congregational members we pay our dues, support the annual campaign, and contribute to the “building fund” – monies that are used to cover operating expenses and put some away for capital expenses (repairs to the HVAC system, paving the parking lot, and the always popular roof replacement).

In many congregations there comes a point where the current building doesn’t align with the strategic goals of the congregation, it just “doesn’t fit.”  Possibly, in order to better engage families with young children, there is a need to expand early childhood programming to include infants or an all-day preschool. Or maybe the current layout of the sanctuary, rows and rows of pews with a raised bimah in the center, is a barrier to creative and engaging community worship. Could be that the congregation, desiring to be truly welcoming, needs space for socializing and connecting. Or perhaps there is a goal to look at alternative ways to engage with those interested in the work that the community is doing. The latter, while it can apply to congregational life just as easily applies to organizations like WRJ who have no physical infrastructure. In order to build the Jewish community we want for today and tomorrow it is incumbent on each of us to heed the ask to provide gifts, gifts that go above and beyond our expected annual commitments. While I received many special gifts when I became a Bat Mitzvah 45 years ago, the one I cherish most now are both the roots and wings of Judaism. Roots that connect me to my past, wings that help me navigate my way forward. And I know that the only way to ensure this for our current and future generations is to make sure that I move to provide gifts when asked!

Sharon Zydney is a WRJ Board Chai Society member having served on the North American Board from 2011-2018. As a WRJ Board Member she served as the chair of the 2018 Or Ami Committee and co-chair of the 2015 FLC in Austin, TX. A recent transplant to Atlanta, GA she maintains her Atlantic District roots as a member of Sisterhood, Temple Emanu-El Westfield NJ while also being a member of Women of Sinai, Atlanta, GA and enjoying the Southeast District’s Southern Hospitality.