CANADA CONFERENCE

Jewish Communal Service in the 21st Century:  Challenges & Opportunities in Canada

Sunday, October 20th, 7pm

Agency Highlights

Joanne Lippert Receives Bernard Rodkin Professional Development Israel Fellowships

Joanne Lippert Receives Bernard Rodkin Professional Development Israel Fellowships

Oct., 30th, 1:30pm ET

Strategies for Building Strong Partnerships with Primary Care
Oct., 30th, 2pm ET

The ABCs of Open Enrollment for Behavioral Health Providers
Oct., 31st, 1pm EST

Both my daughter and my niece have jobs in which they work with children who have been subject to abuse and neglect and have the emotional, and sometimes physical, scars to show for it. These children require the special attention of professionals to help them adjust socially and academically so they can be successful.

This week's parashah, Va-yera, contains the Torah story that probably terrified and troubled me the most when I was a child in Hebrew School. Floods and fire seemed remote to me in those days, but threatening the well-being of a child, although far removed from my personal experience, still seemed real from a child's perspective. I know now that Isaac at the time of the Akeda was actually an adult, but when I was younger, I definitely imagined him as a child my age, and he was undoubtedly pictured that way in my book of Bible stories. I imagined Isaac feeling special to be on a trip with his father, and excited about the adventure they would have together. We know from the text that Abraham loved Isaac, and his actions indicate that Isaac returned that love and devotion to his father. And then, Isaac is bound tightly to the altar and Abraham raises the knife above him, a terrifying image to the "child."

We know the end of the story and that Isaac was replaced on the altar by a ram, but there can be no question that Isaac had to be scarred for the rest of his life. How is he to recover from this trauma and to go on and live a life of value, meaning, and purpose? It must have been difficult and painful, but Isaac does go on to live a meaningful life. He falls in love with Rebecca and is a key link to the generations of Jews who follow. Professionals in our agencies work with many clients who have been scarred by childhood traumas. Although living with those scars can be incredibly painful, through the strength received from our remarkable staffs, many of our clients go on to live rich and meaningful lives, like our forefather Isaac. Thank you for all the amazing work you do.

Have a peaceful Shabbat.