At our temple board meeting each month, we devote a small portion of time to get to know each other, as I believe this will help us function better as a board.  Rabbi Annie has encouraged me to use this segment to focus on Jewish aspects, which makes perfect sense given our roles and the venue! 

Last month our charge was this: “Say one word which reflects what Judaism means to you.” 

The responses resulted in this rich collection of words - powerful words - which evoke deep and varied thoughts and reactions:

 
On reflection, it makes sense that the word we each chose provides insight into what binds us as individuals to Temple Sinai.  Further, it provides a lens through which we can get answers about what we really want from our connection to Temple Sinai, and, importantly what we can give back to this special community.

The word I put into the room was “Hebrew,” although many of the other words resonated strongly with me.  My “Jewish journey” includes a deep connection to the Labor Zionist movement as my father and grandfather worked full time in Zionist organizations; a Hebrew Day School education from 1^st -8^th grades; and 2½ years living in Israel (76-78) after spending numerous summer vacations there.  So, it’s obvious that Hebrew was important.  Secondarily, I love languages in general and learning about the impact they have on how we express ourselves in the cultures in which we live (but more about that subject on another day!!).

So, how have I linked my passion about Hebrew to my experience at Temple Sinai?  Over the last few years I’ve had the opportunity to teach Hebrew through our adult education program.  It was great to share my love for the language (especially some of my favorite letters) and help others become more familiar with the ancient tongue.  It has been heartwarming to hear a student master a new word or recognize a new vowel symbol and to see, through the corner of my eye, a student reading more expertly during Shabbat services.  People who spoke with me about these teaching experiences heard me say many times that this was “the best part of my week.”  The break from the normal routine and challenges of work and home, coupled with the demanding focus on a different subject, were at once, invigorating and relaxing.  Teaching Hebrew was, for me, a unique, gratifying and satisfying experience.

It’s appropriate at the High Holidays to reflect on what Judaism means to you.  You might start the exploration by looking for one or two words, just as we did at the board.  Then, go further to look for links between those words, your passions, and your engagement in our Temple community.  We owe it to ourselves to find those hidden gems to make our Judaism richer for us as individuals and as a community. 

Shanah Tova!