Lee I. Sherman

This week is the first of a series of four special Shabbatot preceding Pesach (don't worry, that does not mean that Pesach is only four weeks away). It is Shabbat Shekalim when, in addition to reading parashah Pekudei, we read a special section from Ki Tissa detailing the half-shekel "tax" that each person was expected to contribute for the building of the Mishkan. The beauty of this "tax" is that it is shared equally among the people - regardless of personal circumstance, each person was expected to contribute the same amount (did an early tea-partier design this scheme?).

This equality of contribution is carried over into other rituals of Judaism. For a minyan, each man (or woman) is counted the same in meeting the quorum, each being of equal value in forming the whole. In our modern democracies, we have adopted this value of each person having an equal vote - a recognition that we all can make a contribution and that the whole is stronger because of the participation of the many.

Interestingly, although we all count, in Judaism it is the practice not to count people. When the census was taken in the Torah, it was the half-shekels that were counted, not the people who contributed them.  Perhaps you have heard someone determining if there are enough for a minyan and saying "not one, not two, not three..." We attempt not to dehumanize and thus increase the value of each one.

In the delivery of social services, we are often asked how many we serve. While this may be an interesting statistic at times, the numbers do not tell us how well we are doing. We want to know more than how many, we want to know that we have improved the lives of those we serve. Of course we want to serve as many as possible, or all those in need, but we want to make sure that each person is equally valued as an individual and that we serve them individually so they can continue to be an important contributor to the whole. We not only want to collect that "half-shekel," but we want to ensure that everyone understands the value they have contributed.

Shabbat Shalom

Leadership/Young Leadership Award

AJFCA is looking forward to honoring leaders who have received awards from your agencies this year at our Annual Conference in Calgary.  Please see the attached guidelines for submissions which are due by Friday, March 25th. All honorees will be included in the conference brochure.

KOVOD and Goodman Awards

KOVOD and Goodman Award judges are currently working hard to determine winners. The submissons were of such excellent quality that the judges have had a very tough time selecting. Winners will be determined and announced shortly. We thank all of the agencies submitting for these awards and our wonderful judges for all of their hard work.

Jewish Service Search Engine -

Post Volunteer/Service Opportunities

Repair the World (a Jewish non-profit organization) works to inspire American Jews and their communities to give their time and effort to serve those in need with the goal of making service a defining part of American Jewish life. Repair the World launched the Jewish Service Search Engine, (in June of 2010), the first comprehensive database of Jewish volunteer opportunities in North America. The search engine connects Jewish individuals with local, regional and international service opportunities, as well as immersive service learning programs, while assisting Jewish organizations in attracting volunteers and participants.

Sign up by adding your organization's available volunteer opportunities on an ongoing basis. Click on Join. Once you enter you agency's contact information proceed to Share Your Organization's Service Opportunities.