Friday, September 11

 

22 Elul 5769 

 

Shabbat Shalom -

It is difficult to write today's date, September 11, without conjuring up gruesome pictures and memories from that date 8 years ago.   Whether we lost family and friends, knew people in the attacks or  simply watched the events unfold on television, we all remember today with profound reverence and sadness.  Everyone has seminal dates in our lives and this one in particular cuts across all of the lines of difference in our various communities. 

Certainly remembrance is a theme in our Jewish world when we talk about our past, our traditions and our practices.  The holidays that we celebrate serve to remind us of our connection to one another and our community.  Today, New York City's Mayor Bloomberg, reminded the crowd  gathered at the commemorative events that September 11 this year was declared a national day of service and remembrance.  He encouraged those gathered to remember those lost by performing acts of service for those left behind.  Essentially the mayor has asked everyone to fulfill the mitzvah of gemilut chassadim, performing acts of loving kindness.  This mitzvah is integral to Jewish life and whether Mayor Bloomberg intended to invoke a Jewish concept in his declaration is irrelevant.  The idea that we can honor one's memory and grave loss by doing something positive for others is very Jewish.

Performing acts of loving kindness to honor a loss is so common in the Jewish world that we do this without even recognizing the connection.  We donate funds to support those who walk, run and cycle for a variety of causes.  We bring food to people when they are sick, or need help, or sitting shiva.  We donate our time to agencies and boards to help organize and run our Jewish community. We take friends to doctors appointments.  We invite people to our homes for holiday celebrations. These are all examples of how we serve our community in positive ways.

On September 23, the Jewish Community is invited to attend the Jack Robinson Memorial Volunteer Fair at the JCC, 6:30 - 8:00 PM.  This event brings 20 agencies together to showcase their volunteer opportunities in the greater Western Massachusetts community.  This event is the perfect example of how we honor the memory of a dedicated community minded individual by giving others the chance to give back.  I believe this is exactly what Mayor Bloomberg has in mind.  I hope you will attend. 

On this special date, today, September 11, let us all perform acts of loving kindness because we are able to do so and remember this tragic day in American history.  But, let's go even further and always strive to do more for others and for our community.  This is what we are taught to do and it makes us and our community richer and stronger.