WRJ Voices: Vayikra

Parashat Vayikra, which in Hebrew means “and [God] called,” from the third book of the Torah, Leviticus, begins with obligations given to Moses by [God]: “The Lord called to Moses and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting saying: Speak to the Israelite people…” (Leviticus 1:1).

The parashah continues with a description of the different kinds of living animal sacrifices. Sacrificial animals include small animals with feathers and large animals with horns. Moses was instructed that these animals were to be offered in the sanctuary by individuals or by the community. God then explains the five types of sacrificial rites: (1) Olah, burnt offering (goes up in smoke) (Leviticus 1:1-17); (2) Mincham, meal offering (Leviticus 2:1-16); (3) Zevach Sh’lamim, sacrifice of well-being (Leviticus 3:1-XX); (4) Chatat, purgation offering (inadvertent offenses or unintentional sins) (Leviticus 4:1-35); and (5) Asham, reparation offering or penalty payment – deliberate misappropriation of property (Leviticus 5:1-26). The practice of performing animal sacrifices in the sanctuary ceased with the destruction of the Temple. However, that is not to say that we do not have sacrifices in modern day society. Sacrifice in Hebrew translates to “something brought near” or “Korban.” We no longer use animals to bring us closer to our faith, but there are many other ways we perform modern sacrifices to “bring us near.” Today we take time from our busy lives to study Torah and attend prayer and worship services. We sacrifice our precious time, busy family lives and money. In order to relate to the parashah, I asked myself some questions about my work with Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ).

How was I “called” to my work with WRJ? How have my sacrifices of either time away from my family, work or financial commitments (paying dues, fundraising donations) helped me to stay connected to the work of WRJ? How has my work with WRJ brought me closer to prayer and forgiveness?

It all started with a ten-day trip to Israel in 2005 with Congregation Beth Israel (CBI) in West Hartford, Connecticut. During this trip, I met and bonded with members of the sisterhood who encouraged me to become a member. I started as an active member, participating and volunteering to help on various committees, and as time went on my involvement continued to grow until I eventually served as Vice President of CBI Sisterhood. At this time, I was designated to attend a WRJ Northeast District retreat in Bethel, Connecticut, where I met the Northeast District Board and was so impressed by their enthusiasm, passion, and commitment to the organization. I went back to my sisterhood with new ideas, energy, and excitement to promote WRJ. Shortly thereafter, I travelled with a WRJ delegation to Israel on a Mission Trip to celebrate 100 years of WRJ. Since that trip, I have met wonderful people, attended conventions, assemblies, Fried Leadership Conferences and have seen enormous personal growth. My experience with WRJ has forced me to be outside my comfort zone and answer to the “call” of service to my local community and the world.

If I had not made the sacrifices of investing time and effort through my unknown road map, I would not have had the opportunity to grow individually and spiritually within the WRJ community. I have celebrated happy occasions with my community, like my daughter’s Bat Mitzvah, confirmation, college graduation, and my own Bat Mitzvah in Israel with my WRJ sisters. I have also experienced irreversible losses that brought my family closer to our community of support, who selflessly provided love and compassion at a time when my life was filled with worries and despair. For that love and support, in both times of celebration and loss, I am forever grateful.

Every day I pray not only for my own well-being but also for forgiveness of the moments and acts of intentional or unintentional wrong doings. I put forth the effort to communicate and to say sorry, and to seek the power to act wisely.

As we move on with our daily obligations and life, may the sacrifices we make, korbanot, provide or give us ways to live with kindness, compassion, generosity, and goodwill.

Carmen Holzman is a member of the WRJ Board of Directors, a Vice-President of the Northeast District and a Past Sisterhood President of Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford, Connecticut.