High Holiday Appeal

Does the Hebrew word Kol-ish in this verse mean every man or every person? Well, it depends on whose translation and commentary is read! I prefer the lens of inclusivity: “accept gifts…from every person whose heart is so moved” (Exodus 25:2). We know that in the past 60 years at Temple Beth Torah, we have a history of inclusivity: women and men have led our Temple Board of Directors, served as Education Directors and as clergy. Families in our congregation are diverse in their cultures, family structure, needs of individual family members, skills and spiritual practice. We strive to include each other in our worship services, programs, Purim Spiels and other temple events.

Throughout the ages, the mishkan, temple or synagogue has been a sacred space where Jews have worshiped and celebrated together, educated themselves and new generations and met to face new challenges. It is a meeting place between G-d and the Jewish people. It is the most significant institution of Jewish life and it is the guarantor of Jewish tradition and survival.

Dear Fellow Congregants,

The following is a portion of my Yom Kippur Speech this year. In the book of Exodus, we find the Torah portion Terumah -- gifts or offerings. In verse 2, we read: G-d spoke to Moses saying “Tell the Israelite people to bring Me gifts, you shall accept gifts for Me from every person whose heart is so moved. . . .” and later in verse 8 “let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them”.

It took the combination of unique talents of the entire community of Israel to bring together that assortment of colorful yarns, fine linens, acacia wood, and animal skins, capitalizing on individuals’ unique talents and contributions to build the Mishkan as G-d instructed. The diversity of talent and contributions meant that no one person could claim the making of the Mishkan was his or hers alone. The building project provided an integral, communal link for the Israelites in their joint accomplishment; and it gave each of them a unique connection to the Divine through the specific role each one played in its creation.

Not only does it take staff and volunteers to keep our Temple community up and running but it takes gifts. Here at Temple Beth Torah we are not in need of colorful yarns and linens nor wood or animal skins but we are in need of financial gifts -- financial support that comes from more than just monthly dues. In August, we were all sent a letter asking us to consider raising our dues and donating to our building fund. We greatly appreciate the generosity of those who have been able to do so and hope that more will be able to help support us.

Our building is aging- I mean maturing- like many of us are, and we need to keep our Holy Space in working order. We are in need of roofing, new air conditioning units, pressure washing, painting, organizing and even disposing of items we no longer need. We cannot do this without gifts from each of you. We also must continue to fund our daily needs of air, water, electricity, technology, staffing and to provide programs and events that will meet the needs of our diverse community.

Being part of the Temple Beth Torah community means that that there is also a space to share other gifts. In an article about the Torah portion Terumah, Rabbi Irwin Keller challenges us to look beyond our obvious gifts: “What’s the one gift that you have not offered yet? The one no one knows you carry. The one you might not even have thought of as a gift. The one that’s just been waiting. And ask yourself, ‘When will I offer it?’ When will you use it to build a Mishkan, to make this world a holier place?” I hope that tonight we will also think about our physical gifts of the ability and willingness to volunteer and to be more involved in our holy place.

There will be many opportunities in the year ahead to be involved at TBT. Our ways and means, social action and education committees all are planning a diversity of programs and opportunities for each of us! Save your CRV labeled glass and plastic bottles and bring them to the room across the breezeway, support the current canned food drive, donate old BART tickets, come help build the sukkah, attend our Nov.9th Music concert!. Take time to read the weekly and our website to read about our active TBT community and join us.

Everyone’s gift counts- everyone’s gift is valuable- we need you! I know you have heard Presidents before me speak about our Temple needs annually on Yom Kippur but as I have said the past two years -- It takes a village and we need each of us to be an active member of our village -physically and financially!

May we at Temple Beth Torah have the financial and physical support of our community so that we may continue to be inclusive, to study and learn together, continue to bring G-d’s presence to the community, continue to share our joys and sorrow and continue to share food, and fun for many more years together! Kein y’hei ratzon -- May it be so!

To make your High Holiday Pledge:

Mail a check to Temple Beth Torah, 42000 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont CA 94539

Pay online here. Select ‘High Holiday Pledge’ under Fund Designation. Please note there is a 3% service fee for credit card payments.

Warmly,
Cheryl Cohen
Temple Beth Torah President