As we watch the escalation of events unfold in Israel and Gaza this week, we pray for an end to the barrage of missile attacks on Israel, an end to the violence on both sides.
We pray for a time of peace and harmony. When neighbours do not hate, do not kill, do not treat each other as “less than”.
We pray for a time when Jerusalem can live up to the meaning of its name: City of Peace – Iyr Shalom.
The notion of “Jerusalem” is a metaphor. In our tradition, we have a concept of two Jerusalems: Y’rushalayim shel lamala – the heavenly Jerusalem, and Y’rushalayim shel lamata – the earthly Jerusalem.
The heavenly Jerusalem is the ideal to which we aspire. The earthly Jerusalem is the daily reality of our lives as they exist now.
Thus “Jerusalem” is more of a concept rather than simply a city – it represents a time when all the inhabitants of Israel will live together in peace, when justice will prevail and all will be in harmony. “Jerusalem” is our ideal version of what life should be.
As the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 122:2-4; 6-9
“Our feet our standing within your gates, O Jerusalem.
The built-up Jerusalem is like a city that was joined together within itself.
There ascended the tribes, the tribes of God, testimony to Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Eternal…
Request the welfare of Jerusalem; may those who love you enjoy tranquility.
May there peace in your walls, tranquility in your palaces.
For the sake of my brothers and my companions, I shall now speak of peace in you.
For the sake of the House of the Eternal our God, I shall beg for goodness for you.”
May the peace of Shabbat bring peace to all: in Jerusalem, Israel and all the world. Amen.
For the past three weeks, we held out hope that the three Israeli teens who were abducted by terrorists on June 12th would be found alive: #bringbackourboys
Naftali Frenkel, Gilad Shaar and Eyal Yifrach, zichronam livracha
Yesterday, we were shocked and grief-stricken to learn that they had been killed within a short time of their kidnapping.
What kind of world do we live in when innocent teens become pawns in terrorist warfare? When the lives of young students have no value?
In this week’s Torah portion Balaak (Numbers 22: 2-25:9), the king of the Moabites wanted to curse the Israelites for being too numerous. He was fearful that they would overtake his land and eventually, his people. He calls upon the prophet Balaam to curse them. Then, God intervenes. Ultimately, when Balaam opens his mouth, words of blessing pour forth: “Ma tovu ohalecha Ya’acov, mish’k’notecha Yisra’el – How goodly are your tents o Jacob, your dwelling places o Israel.”
There are always those who want to cause harm and destruction to the Jewish people. There are always those who will go out of their way to wreak havoc and cause us great pain and anguish. But ultimately God’s blessing will be with us, because we value LIFE above all else. We are a religion that celebrates and affirms life no matter what life sends our way. And because of this, the Jewish people has survived and thrived. We are a people of great fortitude and stamina. With God by our side, we can persevere.
I join with people in Israel and all over the world in mourning the tragic deaths of Eyal Yifrach, Naftali Frenkel and Gilad Shaar. May their families find comfort and strength in the loving embrace of community and family and friends.
May we come to know a time of peace when children can walk in the streets freely – without fear, without bloodshed, without violence.
As we mourn these unfinished lives, let us pray that that cycle of violence ends. Let us pray for a time of peace for all of God’s children.
Od yavoh shalom aleinu, v’al kulam – let peace come upon us and upon everyone. Speedily and in our time. Amen.
Zichronam Livracha – May they be remembered for a blessing
A time to be born, a time to die…a time to build, a time to tear down. (Ecclesiastes 3:1ff)
This Shabbat is my final service at Congregation B’nai Torah in Highland Park, Illinois. Next week, is the congregation’s final service before it closes its doors for good on June 30th.
I will be moving to Stony Brook, New York to become the rabbi of Temple Isaiah.
For me, I get to begin a new chapter in a vibrant and vital community.
For my B’nai Torah community, however, the congregants have to cope with the pain, loss and anguish of watching their beloved congregation of almost 60 years cease to exist.
Sunset on Lake Michigan, view from B’nai Torah. Photo credit: Sharon Sobel
Congregation B’nai Torah was once the center of liberal Jewish religious life on the North Shore of Lake Michigan. As the sun sets on this once prestigious synagogue, it represents the end of an era.
This is a sad day for us all. But just as the sun sets each evening, a new dawn does break. It will take time to find the beauty in the new day. To find a way back toward healing and wholeness.
I will offer these words to my beloved community this evening:
The cover of this week’s Time Magazine has a drawing of US Army Sgt Bowe Bergdahl against a backdrop of a US flag.
The large caption reads: “WAS HE WORTH IT? The Cost of Bringing Sgt. Bergdahl Home”
Cover of Time Magazine, June 16, 2014 issue
I know that headlines sell magazines. But I find this very troubling. “Was he worth it?” Really? Aren’t we taught in our tradition that each and every one of us is made b’tzelem Elohim, in the image of God?
Later that same day, I was working with one of my pre-Bar Mitzvah students on his d’var Torah for the fall. His Torah portion is Noah. He chose to focus on the verse (Genesis 6:9) that states: “Noah was righteous in his generation.”
My student did a beautiful job summarizing the Torah portion, explaining its meaning and sharing what commentators have to say about it.
Then the discussion became interesting when it was time to relate it to modern times. What does it mean to be “righteous in one’s time?” What does it mean to expend one’s effort on behalf of others and do the right thing? The student then went on to criticize President Barack Obama for making a deal to trade 5 Taliban terrorists to free the “deserter Bowe Bergdahl.”
I paused when I read this. On the one hand, I encourage my students to apply the lessons of Torah to modern life. On the other hand, it concerns me that we have been so quick to judge Bowe Bergdahl when all the facts are still not known.
I used this as an opportunity to engage in a dialogue about what our tradition has to teach about justice. We are taught by our tradition:
מַצִּ֣יל נְ֭פָשׁוֹת עֵ֣ד אֱמֶ֑ת וְיָפִ֖חַ כְּזָבִ֣ים מִרְמָֽה׃ Matzil n’fashot ad emet v’yafiyach. Truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.
Proverbs 14:25
We don’t know the entire story about what happened to Bowe Bergdahl, or why he made some of the choices he did. What we do know is this: every human life is sacred. Israel makes many of the same sacrifices to bring back their captured soldiers, just as President Obama made the decision to bring back Sgt. Bergdahl.
We need to wait to learn the rest of the facts, for justice to run its course before we are quick to judge.
My colleague, Rabbi Keith Stern, (Senior Rabbi of Temple Beth Avodah of Newton, MA) wrote a beautiful piece about this, an open letter to Sgt. Bergdahl’s parents, which sums up how I feel. I share that with you below:
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Bergdahl,
I truly can’t imagine what these past several years have been like for you. Knowing your son was being held captive by the Taliban, not knowing where he was or the status of his health… I’m sure you haven’t slept well for years. And then this: the anxiety over whether Bowe would be freed (we know there had been similar plans aborted), the thrill of his safe release… and now the firestorm of criticism and hypocrisy.
I’ve never met you nor have I met Bowe. Thankfully I found the Rolling Stone article written by Michael Hastings (who tragically died in a car crash last year). I feel like I know you and Bowe and his situation a little better.
Bowe’s childhood growing up on 40 acres of lush farm tucked into remote country sounds like another world to me, a suburbs boy who’s raised his kids in a fairly insulated and protected environment. Bowe had a whole world to explore on a dirt bike. He loved his bb gun. It sounds glorious and free.
But you tempered his freedom. You homeschooled your kids and rigorously set out a moral system by which they could evaluate their actions. They learned about accountability for their behavior.
Bowe tried to find his balance point between responsibility and adventure. Mr. Bergdahl, you seem to have been a tremendous influence on Bowe, telling him not what to do but rather to do what he thought right. What an honorable man you are. It is not easy to parent a child with so much energy and drive and curiosity, a kid who seemed determined to push the envelope, to become an Olympic fencer or to join the French Foreign Legion or, for that matter, the US Army.
The two of you obviously know a whole lot more than I do, so you may know much more about Bowe’s story and why he left his post. The Rolling Stone article painted a disheartening story about his unit and its lack of leadership and discipline. Being stuck in the middle of nowhere with the kind of chaos that seemed to constantly flare up into trouble must have been mentally challenging and exhausting. The point is, nobody knows yet why he left his post. So why are so many people judging Bowe? He is being pilloried in the press by pundits and politicians who profess to know something. These people use lies and half-truths to turn your son into a shirker, a deserter, a turncoat. It is striking to me that there is no such thing as circumspection, no benefit of a doubt. There is no empathy, no mature sense of propriety. I am ashamed of the way some of our country’s politicians and journalists have spoken, for they truly besmirch the good name of this country, not to mention, of course, your son’s honor. In the Jewish tradition such talk is utterly unacceptable.
So now you are in limbo. Bowe is safely returned to the US, but I would guess you are still not sleeping. You’re wondering what shoe may yet drop. But I know that you must be so relieved that at least you know where he is. I am so saddened that his welcome home ceremony was cancelled. I get it, but that must have been yet another bitter pill to swallow.
I’m sure people have pointed out all of the facts about the prisoner swap that enabled your son to get home. As a Zionist and a Jew, I know that Israel has released thousands of prisoners in order to return Israeli soldiers from captivity. In fact, Israel has swapped prisoners to get dead Israelis back. It’s never easy. It’s always controversial. But in the end most Israeli parents need to know at the end of the day that their children will not be abandoned in captivity.
Like I said, I don’t know what happened. We may never really get the truth. But this I do know: It doesn’t matter if Bowe had deserted his post or not. The story may end up unfavorably. Your son may be in legal trouble. As David Brooks wrote today:
It doesn’t matter if he is a confused young man who said insulting and shameful things about his country and his Army. The debt we owe to fellow Americans is not based on individual merit. It is based on citizenship, and loyalty to the national community we all share. Soldiers don’t risk their lives only for those Americans who deserve it; they do it for the nation as a whole.
I am so sorry for your anguish. I hope you are soon reunited with your son. And if things get harder, if there is litigation and more circus antics in the press, please know that many of us who are parents and grandparents and proud Americans send you our love and support. No matter what, he’s still your boy.
Yesterday, four remarkable women took me to lunch to wish me well on my new professional journey.
These are some of my congregants who have been studying with me, worshipping with me and engaging with me on many different levels over the past two years. They are not only my congregants, but they have become my friends as well. And I have learned as much from them as they say they have learned from me. They are a very accomplished group of women:
one has her Masters Degree in Political Science/American Government. Following a highly successful career in both the business and academic world, she ran for public office and had 16 distinguished years in local government.
two of them have Phd’s in different subjects and served as professors in local universities.
one was a teacher and very instrumental on the board of the local Hillel.
The women presented me with a gift: a lovely book on Women Throughout the Ages.
A Farewell Lunch with Some Remarkable Women
One common thread wove through our conversation: they felt it was special and unique to have a woman lead them as their spiritual leader. For this group of women – who were all at the top of their own areas of expertise – they felt that women bring a unique perspective to the rabbinate.
As a woman who was born in 1960, I always find this interesting. I don’t often think about my gender in my approach to the sacred work that I am doing. But my gender is an integral part of who I am. It informs the decisions I make and how I view the world, consciously or subconsciously.
From a Jewish perspective, since our ancient texts were written by men, we lack enough stories about women who were both strong and compassionate who can serve as role models for our community. But there are a few that I love.
One example is the Prophetess/Judge Deborah. In Judges, Chapter 4, we read about Deborah who was leading the Israelites at that time. She used to sit under a palm tree and people would come from far and wide to seek her wise counsel. As the Israelites were about to go to war against the Canaanites, she summoned her general, Barak to give him his “marching orders.” He refused to go unless she would come with him. Deborah said that she would accompany him, but that if she did so, God would only deliver the enemy’s head (Sisera) to the hands of a woman. Barak doesn’t care – he is afraid to go without Deborah by his side.
Deborah is compassionate and strong. She is not afraid to do the difficult task in order to bring about the greater good for her people.
Our world has changed dramatically since Deborah’s time. We do know many more strong women and many more compassionate men. But we still have a long way to go.
Artist-Poet Judy Chicago states it best, in her famous poem “The Merger” from her exhibition “The Dinner Party:”
And then all that has divided us will merge. And then compassion will be wedded to power And then softness will come to a world that is harsh and unkind. And then both men and women will be gentle. And then both women and men will be strong. And then no person will be subject to another’s will. And then all will be rich and free and varied. And then the greed of some will give way to the needs of many. And then all will share equally in the earth’s abundance. And then all will care for the sick and the weak and the old. And then all will nourish the young. And then all will cherish life’s creatures. And then all will live in harmony with each other and the earth. And then everywhere will be called Eden once again.
They were both strong women who were outsiders in an unkind and cruel world.
They lived centuries and worlds apart.
Biblical Ruth was a Moabite, married to an Israelite and widowed without children. She suffered great poverty and hunger.
Maya Angelou grew up in the deep South during the era of Jim Crow laws.
She was sent away from her parents and raised by an aunt, sexually abused and suffered much distress at an early age.
Both Ruth and Maya learned how to survive in a hostile environment, how to thrive and fend for themselves. Both figured out how to provide for their families in the best way possible. Both shared an unshakeable faith and the values of family, community and culture.
Maya Angelou was able to overcome her difficult life circumstances and build a life of purpose and meaning through her work in the civil rights movement, art, writing, and theater world. She accomplished so much in so many different areas that she truly was a “Renaissance Woman.” She touched the lives of so many others and helped give expression to what is in our hearts and minds.
Maya Angelou
We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty. (Maya Angelou)
Biblical Ruth also overcame her circumstances as a widow – without status – living in a foreign country to achieve great heights. She took it upon herself to care for her widowed mother-in-law, Naomi, to provide for her and to watch over her. She adopted Naomi’s faith and people as her own.
Ruth, Naomi and Boaz
“Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” (Ruth 1: 16-17)
Ruth’s reward for her devotion, faithfulness and loyalty is that she too, achieves one of the ultimate accomplishments for our Biblical women – she gives birth to Obed, who becomes the father of Jesse, the father of King David. Ruth – the Moabite, the foreigner, is the great-grandmother of King David, from whom the Messiah is supposed to descend.
Both Ruth and Maya Angelou are two strong women who overcame difficult beginnings to achieve great accomplishments.
Maya Angelou was a woman of deep and abiding faith. She once said: “In a world of confusion and noise I look for the moments that help me understand who I am, where I come from and what I want to be. The Bible brings to life the stories that have shaped our world and shaped my life. Stories that have helped me to forgive. Helped me to love. Helped me to overcome. Helped me to survive, and even do better than that, helped me to thrive.”
We read the Book of Ruth next week during Shavuot, the time we celebrate the receiving of Torah. Ruth was the first non-Israelite who chose to link herself to the God of the Israelites. She is known as the first “Jew-by-Choice.” Her deep-rooted faith gives her and Naomi the strength to endure and overcome the hardships that have burdened their lives.
Let us be inspired by the faith of our Biblical Ruth and the faith of Maya Angelou, two extra-ordinary women of faith. As we prepare to celebrate the gift of receiving of Torah next week, let us renew our own commitment to our values of faith, family and our tradition.
I had the pleasure of bringing my four-year old nephew Xavi to pre-school on a Monday morning when I was visiting two weeks ago.
My four-year old nephew, Xavi and his friend at their pre-school.
As we entered his classroom, one of his friends was so excited to see him after the weekend, she ran up to him, threw her arms around his neck and gave him a huge hug. “Xavi! I missed you!” she exclaimed. With her arm wrapped around his waist, she peppered him with questions: “Do you like my headband? Do you like my pretty dress? Do you like my shoes?” And she wouldn’t let go.
Xavi, the good friend that he is, answered each question in the affirmative. He added that she looked very pretty. And they ran off to play.
I loved watching their excitement and enthusiasm at seeing each other after a weekend of being apart. Even at very young ages, we are able to develop deep and meaningful friendships.
I remember when one of my friends was moving from Toronto to Los Angeles with his young family for a new job. His three year old daughter was terribly sad at leaving all her friends. She informed her parents: “You will need to make me a going away party so that I can say ‘good-by’ to my friends. This move is going to be very difficult for me – I can’t imagine living so far away from my friends!'”
I am reflecting on all of this now as I too, am in the process of packing my home and office to move half-way across the country to begin a new position. My friends here in Highland Park are sad to see me leave. I am trying to assure them that I keep my friends for life, that they will always be with me, no matter where I go.
I love to collect things: artwork, books, Judaica, culinary items. My “things” help to make my house feel like a “home” no matter where I’m living.
However, like many of us, the older I get, I realize my most treasured “collection” can’t be boxed up or put on display. My most treasured collection is the friendships I’ve developed over the course of my life.
I have friends ranging in age from their teens’s to their 90’s. I have friends who have been with me from childhood and friends who I met just recently. My friends come from all walks of life, live in many different countries and cross the political-religious-race spectrums.
True friends are not the people we necessarily meet on Facebook (although deep and meaningful friendships have been known to begin that way) or online. But true friendship is defined by those people who are there for us through “thick and thin.” They are present for us in times of rejoicing, in times of grief and in the every day ordinary moments as well.
The rabbis of old tell a story about a man named Ivan, who asks his friend: “Tell me my friend, do you know what gives me pain?” His friend replies, “How can I know what gives you pain?!” Ivan replies: “True friends know what pains us. They know what gives us pleasure. They know when to say a kind word and when to keep silent in our presence.” His friend then learned what he needed to do in order to become a better friend.
Many of my friends live far away: Toronto, Hawaii, Israel. Some of them will always pick up the phone and call to check in. We know that email or a text message or Facebook can’t replace the sound of hearing someone’s voice. They will come and spend time with me in person for both joyful occasions, ordinary moments and difficult times. And I try to be there for them as well. To have friends, one must be a friend. I am not always a perfect friend, I am not always as good at staying “in touch” as I would like, but I do try my best.
Our Jewish tradition teaches us (Avot d’Rabbi Natan 8) that we should “Acquire yourself a friend.” What is the meaning of this text? The commentators say that this text teaches us that we should acquire a friend with whom to eat and drink, read and study, sleep and share secrets of Torah and personal secrets.
In the beginning of the Torah, as part of the creation story, God says: “It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a fitting help-mate for him.” God then creates Eve. People are meant to live in relationships: with partners, with friends, with community.
As a Jewish community, this notion is reinforced by the fact that we need a minyan – a quorum of 10 people – in order to recite certain prayers. As a people, we believe that it is important to live in community, surrounded by others. As Jews, we do not live in isolation. We cannot celebrate the passage of time or the cycle of life alone. The power of friendships and the power of community can be uplifting indeed.
So as I prepare for the next phase of the journey of my professional career, I feel incredibly blessed and strengthened by the incredible friendships that have sustained and nurtured me throughout my life. These friendships are my most precious gift, my most precious “treasured possession” which I carry in my heart always.
Last Thursday, I had the honour of receiving my Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa, from my alma mater, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR).
HUC invites its graduates to apply for this honour on the 25th anniversary of their ordination or graduation from their graduate programs.
I wasn’t expecting to feel so incredibly moved and touched by having this honorary degree bestowed upon me.
However, my colleagues – the rabbis and cantors – who were receiving this degree with me, spent the day together, studying, reflecting and sharing our experiences from the past 25 years. We continued our celebratory day by eating a festive lunch together, reminiscing, taking photos and catching up. We were then joined by our family and friends for the actual ceremony and the conferring of the degrees. It was a very moving, joyous and wonderful event indeed.
We began in the late morning with a study session on the bima in the grand sanctuary of Temple Emanuel (New York City) led by HUC-JIR President, Rabbi Aaron D. Panken, Ph.D
Sanctuary of Temple Emanuel, New York City
We sat in a circle and studied a text from the Talmud about Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai, who founded the great rabbincal academy at Yavneh immediately after the destruction of Jerusalem in the year 70 CE. The text discussed his characteristics as a “rabbi”: he was always first to open the building and last to close. He never took time for himself to rest or for personal time. His community was always his first priority – above and beyond all else.
We discussed this model of rabbinic leadership. Was this a realistic model? Were we supposed to sublimate ourselves to the exclusion of all else for the sake of our communities? Is that a healthy rabbinic/cantorial model? Did Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai make any time for himself? For his family?
We all acknowledged that engaging in Jewish communal work as a professional entails more than working “9-5”. For many of us, we strive to find the perfect balance between the ideal “model” of rabbinic/cantorial/Jewish professional and making time for a satisfying personal life. If we don’t take care of ourselves, we won’t be able to take care of others, to be “fully present” for each and every member of our communities when it is most important.
Each of us then had the opportunity to reflect on our own experiences from the past 25 years. Some of us have remained close over the years, some of us have not seen each other since we were ordained.
Our colleagues and friends are living and working in very diverse environments from as far away as Israel, Australia, Canada and all across the United States. We practice in large congregations, small congregations and not-for-profit organizations. Some have even retired. Like our congregants, we too have experienced the joys and sorrows of all that life offers during these past two-and-a-half decades. Our hearts have filled with joy watching our children grow and blossom; we have felt the pain of divorce, the heartache of illness and death. For some of us, our professional journeys have always been extremely rewarding and fulfilling. For others, there have been challenges and frustrations that have made the journey more arduous.
Through it all, each of us is grounded in the desire to serve the Jewish people. Our commitment and love of our Jewish heritage compels us to continue along this path we began so long ago.
For the past 25 years, each of us has done so with full hearts, open spirits and to the very best of our abilities.
As Rabbi Panken reminded us, we have earned our Doctor of Divinity degrees through our years of dedicated and unstinting service.
I was more moved than one can possibly imagine.
I feel so privileged and honored to be partners with a community where I can celebrate the cycles of life, the festivals of our Jewish year and elevate the everyday ordinary moments and help imbue them with a sense of holiness. To me, my 25 years in the rabbinate have been a wonderful gift and a great blessing.
It was so special to celebrate the day with Dr. Eugene B. Borowitz, Professor of Philosophy (and pre-eminent Reform philosopher of our time) who taught both my father, Rabbi Richard J. Sobel, z”l (HUC-JIR, NY ’66) while he was in rabbinical school and then me, two decades later:
Dr. Eugene B. Borowitz and me
And it was so wonderful to be sharing that special moment with my friends and classmates who started this journey with me 30 years ago.
I look forward to the next phase of this sacred journey!
My Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa, from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion
For her birthday, all she wanted was to come and visit “Aunt Sharon in Chicago.”
So, my brother, Ari, and sister-in-law, Christina, decided to surprise her and her four-year-old brother, Max and make her birthday wish come true.
The day of her birthday she woke up in Pittsburgh (where they live). She had a fabulous birthday breakfast with her family and one of my other nieces Sarah and Sarah’s mother, Marilyn, who were visiting from Tampa.
Christina secretly packed their suitcases and just as they were getting ready to go to the airport, they told Zoe and Max that they were heading to Chicago. They couldn’t have been more excited!
When I met them at the airport, after we hugged and kissed, Zoe informed me about what she was most looking forward to seeing on this trip: “I can’t wait to see your synagogue, Aunt Sharon!” “Me too!” Max replied.
Zoe and Max were so thrilled to be with me, we could have done anything. We had a lovely birthday dinner. We went to the Children’s Museum on Navy Pier. We went to the beach on Lake Michigan. We spent time at my synagogue, where they displayed “audacious hospitality” by welcoming everyone who came in the door: “Welcome! I’m Zoe, Rabbi Sharon’s niece.” “Welcome! I’m Max, Rabbi Sharon’s nephew.” (Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone could be welcomed like that when they walked in the doors of our synagogues?)
Celebrating Zoe’s 8th Birthday at Aunt Sharon’s house in Highland Park, IL
They made me laugh and smile. And I was able to see first-hand how they are mature beyond their years.
When they returned home, Christina shared a conversation Max and Zoe had with each other:
Max: Hey, Zoe, everybody has powers, right? (Max does love his Superheroes).
Zoe: Yeah, they’ve just got to unlock them.
Little do Max and Zoe realize that they were discussing a very Jewish concept, this idea of “everybody has powers”. Everyone has special and unique gifts. Each of us must find a way to “unlock our powers” – or “unlock our potential”. Each of us must find a way to discover what makes us special and how we can share our gifts with others to make our world a better place.
Max and Zoe DO understand that each and everyone of us is unique. Throughout our time together, they found a way to tell people “you are beautiful,” “you are special.” Max would compliment waitresses in restaurants and make them feel good (who wouldn’t smile when a handsome, adorable four-year-old tells them they are beautiful?!)
Our Jewish tradition teaches us that each one of us is made in the image of God, b’tzelem Elohim. And, no two people are created the same.
As the Baal Shem Tov (the founder of the Chasidic movement) said:
Every one should know that since creation each human being has been unique. We all are called on to perfect our unique qualities. And it is our failure to heed this call that delays the Messiah.
When I spend time with Zoe and Max, I know that their unique gifts will leave a positive imprint on our world. Each of us has the ability to do the same.
