Serene, warm and comfortable describes the mood at last week’s Shabbat Service. The celebration took place at the home of Don and Judy Belmont who have, on more than one occasion, opened their home to the congregants of Temple Shirat Shalom.
This intimate Shabbat setting served as the backdrop for our weekly Sermon given by Marcia Berkow. Marcia states, “The Torah tells us that God commanded that each of us bring to the building what our heart commands us. The Torah goes on to say that each of us brought more than was needed. In this way no one can say this part of the Tabernacle was built because of what I gave.”
How appropriate these words are for the congregants of our new Temple. How relevant the message, given to the Israelites thousands of years ago, is to us today as we build our new spiritual community.
Each member has brought with them a special gift from their hearts; a donation, or an inherent talent or precious free time. There are those who teach our children or lead lectures for the adults, the ones who schlep the Holy Suitcase to each Service, those who prepare or shop for our Onegs, give a Sermon at Shabbat Services, serve on committees, play an instrument or sing in our home band, The Wandering Jews, set up and clean up after each event, bring flowers for High Holy days, organize fund raisers, attend fund raising events, build an ark, donate money and/or time and, finally, attend a Shabbat Service whenever they can. All of these actions, and many more, are the gifts each and every one of us brings to the place where God dwells among us.
Marcia concludes her Sermon with, “Here at TSS we have yet to build the physical structure of God’s dwelling place. But, with our shared values, vision and faith we have started on the road that our ancestors started for us.”
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