October 2008

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 Holy Days Services:

ותשובה  ותפילה  וצדקה
מעבירין  את  רע  הגזירה
Teshuvah – Returning & Repair, Tefilah – Prayer & Contemplation, & Tzedakah – Charitable Justice enable 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 that God asks of us. Tzedekah 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 extend the blessings of renewal and repair to others less fortunate than we are.

Last month, you received an important letter inviting you to contribute to our synagogue’s annual High Holy Day campaign, very much in the hope that you will respond generously with your support for our own community’s needs. However, there are other Jewish organizations and causes to which we should turn our attention at this time of year, in addition to our own synagogue. In fact, one of the most important roles served by a rabbi and a synagogue-community is for each to function as a gateway to the greater good that we can each and all achieve as Jews in the world. Below, please find for your consideration a list of some of these other organizations that merit our consideration, listed in no particular order:
 
1. Your contribution to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) supports one of the most efficient and effective Jewish organizations in the world. The JDC serves as a relief and community development agency, meeting humanitarian needs of Jews in peril or otherwise in need worldwide and in Israel. To learn more about the JDC and to contribute to its efforts, please go to www.jdc.org

2. Your contribution to the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) helps to meet humanitarian needs of Jews in peril or in need worldwide, with an emphasis on helping them to make aliyah (to resettle securely in Israel). JAFI provides food, housing, education, and retraining as necessary for new immigrants to Israel. Immigrants from throughout the Arab world, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, South America, South Africa, Australia, and Ethiopia are among the many groups that have been assisted and continue to be assisted by JAFI. To contribute to JAFI or to learn more about its efforts, please access: www.jewishagency.org

3. Your contribution to the Friends of Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) supports the vital humanitarian needs of Israel’s young men and women in the Israel Defense Force (IDF). Indigent soldiers and their families receive essential benefits, without which they often could not subsist, from FIDF’s Dignity Fund. IMPACT Scholarships pay for college tuition for those who cannot afford it, having just completed mandatory service in the IDF. To contribute, please call FIDF’s Western Regional Offices at (310) 305-4063 or log onto www.FIDF.org for contributions online.

4. Your support of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) contributes to vital efforts to encourage legislative representatives in Washington to consider the essential 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

5. Your contribution to The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles supports humanitarian aid, care, and programming for Jews and others locally. Federation also allocates a significant portion of its annual campaign to the Joint Distribution Committee and Jewish Agency for Israel, supporting Jews in need worldwide and in Israel. To contribute to the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, log onto www.jewishla.org

6. Your contribution to Mazon supports the Jewish community’s most effective and far-reaching endeavor to feed hungry people in the United States and around the world. Mazon’s achievements are most notable. To learn more about Mazon and to contribute to its endeavors, please access the following: www.mazon.org

7. Your contribution to the Jewish National Fund (JNF) serves to assist the State of Israel and its endeavors to continue to build its infrastructure, particularly in under populated or more impoverished areas, and to ensure that water and water-related resources and infrastructure are maintained and developed in order to enable Israeli society to sustain and to continue to grow. To contribute to JNF or to learn more about its initiatives, please access: www.jnf.org

8. 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. Given Israel’s very necessary focus upon its defense and security, the Conservative 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.

9. 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.afmda.org or call (866) 583-8539.

10. 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) 996-3300.

All of us at Ner Tamid should remember that Tzedakah begins at home and that our own synagogue-community’s vital work depends upon our personal 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 Rav 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