An Excerpt from Rabbi Cohen's Remarks at the Annual Meeting
What one word in the Torah describes who we are as a shul and who we aspire to be?
I believe that the spirit and mission of Agudath Sholom is embodied in the title of this week's Torah portion - Behaalotcha. God tells Moshe to command Aharon to light the candles on the menorah. Notably, the word is not actually Lehadlik - which means to kindle - but Lehaalot, which means to elevate. What is the difference?
Rashi offers the following approach which I would like to give a new twist. "To kindle" implies taking one wick which is lit and places it on another wick until it too catches fire. "To elevate" signifies placing one wick so close to the next one that it catches the fire of the first flame. The second flame ignites on its own captivated by the first flame. God is in his infinite and timeless wisdom is revealing a secret of Jewish continuity as symbolized by the lighting of the Menorah.
Jewish continuity emerges when we do not impose but expose, when we do not capture but captivate.
A powerful experience can leave an indelible mark on the soul of human being. It is no wonder that the Torah mandates that even babies should be taken to Jerusalem as the memory created will linger forever and sow the seeds of love of God, Torah and Israel.
We are deeply committed to three pillars of Jewish communal life. Torah, Avodah (prayer) and Gemillut Chasadim (kindness) but more than ever in a world of unending pressures and pulls away from our faith, Agudath Sholom must be an engine of memory creation. We must excel at experiences that will nurture intense passion for performance of mitzvoth and a purpose driven life.
I was awakened to this idea this past year when our executive team and committee leadership engaged in exploring two key questions. First, think of two significant experiences that encapsulate for the shul is at its best. Second, what shul experiences would be valuable for you personally or for others that you are not having?
The conversations that ensued revealed a common set of values that binds us regardless of our age and backgrounds and the power of a collective experience to touch us deeply. We organized a meeting to work across committees and explored new and transformative ways to provide and fuel positive and enduring impact.
Thank God, our shul is growing. This year, we welcomed many new families, launched innovative programs; exceeded our financial expectations due to our membership generosity, expanded Torah learning and opportunities, increased volunteerism and much more.
Yet, our challenge is how to best ride the waves of success. How do we elevate ourselves and our community? How can we work together to create the framework for experiences that will truly resonate deeply, spark personal growth, and inspire a life of impact?
We will never know the eternal resonance of one hello, one visit, one shared experience on a Shabbat, one visit to a shiva home, one teen oneg, a youth group, or a transformative Torah experience to shape our future. Each one of us is looking for meaning and a sense of belonging. We want to be part of something greater and harness our unique voices to the tune of a transcendent score.
Agudath Sholom must be an engine for positive Jewish experiences and indelible memories.
Here are a few highlights which will, God willing, deepen this mission.
1. Expand senior programming, the successful Shabbat morning Young Family experience and the role of music and song to uplift and unite including God willing, a new intergenerational choir in partnership with our youth and Atria.
2. Partner with NCSY to hire a teen leader and JSU coordinator to strengthen teen engagement.
3. Broaden role of Dena Block our Yoetzet Halacha to meet the growing needs and aspirations of women in our community.
4. Launch "Agudath Sholom at Harbor Point" with events such as Smores and Spirits in July, Apple Tasting in September, Shabbat experiences and Chanukah celebrations.
5. Build bridges across faiths to the Christian and Muslim communities
6. Embark on our first ever men and women Spiritual Safari to Jerusalem next May.
God willing, in the year ahead we will Behalotcha, elevate our shul, with renewed vigor. In the words of one of my mentors, Rabbi Steven Dworkin, "people do not care how much you know but want to know how much you care." We will embrace the legacy of Aharon to captivate the imagination of our community and inspire people to realize their God given potential and share their gifts with the world.
May God bless each of us to to reinvigorate our mission as a "memory makers" rooted in the powers of Torah, kindness and impact to and not only grow but thrive in health for years to come.
Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Daniel Cohen
