Rabbi Jeret September Column

To receive the CNT Weekly Email Newsletter, which includes Rabbi Shulman's weekly e-bimah & d'rasha, please send your name & email address to our webmaster, Carrie Sommer.

Rabbi's Message: September 2005

Dear Friends,

As the Jewish month of Elul is now upon us, we begin in earnest our preparation for the upcoming High Holy Days. We recognize that we are called upon to engage in three essential endeavors which offer to us the great blessing of opportunity for repair and renewal in our lives and for those whom we know and love. We are reminded most powerfully of these essential endeavors at the pinnacle of our High Holiday Services:

Teshuva - Returning & Repair, Tefila - Prayer & Contemplation, & Tzedaka - Charitable Justice facilitate together a New Year with potential for all that is good.

To return, repair, renew, and contemplate toward only our own benefit would not reflect the teachings of our tradition and the justice and compassion which God asks of us. Tzedaka, while re-framing our own existence when we consider others in need, refocuses us outward toward others’ needs and enables others to enjoy some of the blessings with which we ourselves are endowed. In this way, at this time of year, we help to extend the blessings of renewal and repair to others less fortunate than we are.

Last month, you received an important letter message from CNT’s president, Sam Osofsky, inviting you to contribute to CNT’s annual High Holy Day campaign, very much in the hope that you will respond generously with your support of our own community’s needs. However, there are other Jewish organizations and causes to which we should also turn our attention at this time of year, in addition to our own synagogue. Below, please find for your consideration a list of some of these other organizations:

(1) Your contribution to Israel’s MAGEN DAVID ADOM (Red Star of David - MDA), the Israeli equivalent of the American Red Cross, supports Israel’s health, blood, and emergency services. These services are provided regardless of race or religion. MDA is in need due to crises exacerbated by terrorist attacks. To contribute, log onto www.magendavidadom.org or call (866) 583-8539.

(2) Your contribution to THE AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE (AIPAC) supports vital efforts to encourage legislative representatives in Washington to consider the vital interests of our nation’s ally and our own Homeland, The State of Israel. AIPAC’s current agenda includes working with our representatives to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, educating our representatives to understand and appreciate the strategic importance and moral significance of Israel as the only democracy in the Middle East, working with student-groups and young Jewish leaders to prepare them as future pro-Israel representatives, leaders, and lobbyists, and much more. To contribute, log onto www.aipac.org or call (949) 675-5550.

(3) Your contribution to the THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER LOS ANGELES supports important programming and care for Jews locally, in Israel and world-wide, funds local Jewish educational programming, and facilitates rapid Jewish communal disaster-response (as is the case currently in response to the horrific devastation of those communities affected by Hurricane Katrina). The Jewish Federation does all of the above and more. To contribute to the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, log onto www.jewishla.org or call (310) 375-0863.

(4) Your contribution to MASORTI - The Conservative Movement in Israel - supports the cause of Jewish pluralism in Israel. MASORTI’s philosophy combines commitment to Jewish tradition with an enthusiastic approach to the modern world, to democratic culture, and to Zionism. Our Movement in Israel is struggling at present for its very survival and our support is very important. To contribute, log onto www.masorti.org or call (212) 870-2216.

(5) Last, but not least, one way to support the State of Israel is to help Israel while helping ourselves. In this regard, investment in the STATE OF ISRAEL BONDS is a vehicle of choice for many Jews worldwide. To find out more about investing in Israel Bonds, log onto www.israelbonds.com or call (310) 996-3000.

All of us at Ner Tamid must remember that Tzedaka begins at home and that CNT’s vital work depends upon our support. However, we mustn’t forget that Jewish individuals, families, communities, and institutions, whether locally, nationally, or worldwide, depend upon our support as well.

The Talmudic sage, Rabbi Ammi, taught as follows: One’s prayer is answered only when one puts one’s heart into one’s hand (Talmud, Tractate Ta’anit, 8a). Let our hands overflow with our hearts’ compassion and let our prayers be heard along with those of all of Israel at this sacred time of year.

May each of us and all of us be blessed with a New Year of health, peace, and fulfillment.

B’Shalom -- With Blessings of Peace and Wholeness,

Rabbi Isaac Jeret
Spiritual Leader