The Sanctuary of Community
by Jacalyn Berman
It is in Beth Emet’s Sanctuary that I am able to observe Friday evening Shabbat services, as well as many joyous
simchas
and festivities. I also find sanctuary in the Weiner Room, where I am not only able to observe Saturday Shabbat services and celebrate holidays, but also enhance and embrace my Jewish faith through the adult education program.
At
Beyond Om,
a class held
o
nce a month at Rabbi London's house, I enjoy being in a small group sanctuary setting, learning to meditate and focus on my Judaism.
At my monthly NA'AMAT club meetings, we focus on assisting women and children and the agriculture program in Israel.
At the funeral of my next-door neighbor’s husband, I felt that I was in a sanctuary of a different type, that of loss of a spouse, father and neighbor. At her church, I noticed many similarities and differences. Where we have the bima, the church has its alter, a raised level for the church leader to stand. Where we have the ark and Torah, the church has other symbols for prayer. Both houses of worship encourage people to come together to support the grieving family. At the cemetery, the mourners shoveled earth and put a white flower into the grave.
When I volunteer at my AARP Experience Corp program as a team leader/tutor, I feel the sanctuary as well. I am surrounded by wonderful individuals who share my interest in enhancing students’ self-esteem through increased literacy skills so that they gain confidence in all academic areas.
Though I feel a sense of sanctuary at many other places, these are my main sanctuaries for now.
What they each share is the sanctuary of community.
If you’d like to share your thoughts with the congregation on what sanctuary means to you - a time in which you felt like a sanctuary dwelled within you, or how we can extend sanctuary to those who need it, feel free to reach out to
Ellen Blum Barish
and
David Barish
.
