Dear Friends,
This week’s Torah Portion, Terumah, begins with a call for the people to donate toward the construction of the Tabernacle, the portable temple the Israelites carried during their desert wandering. It states,
Adonai 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.”
The portion then delineates the specific needs for the project, and the people begin to bring their offerings. A short time later, something remarkable happens. The people respond to Moses’ call with such generosity and enthusiasm that the artisans tasked with the project are overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of the gifts. They approach Moses and say,
The people are bringing more than is needed for the tasks entailed in the work that Adonai has commanded to be done.”
Moses thereupon had this proclamation made throughout the camp: “Let no man or woman make further effort toward gifts for the sanctuary!” (Exodus 36)
Moses requests gifts from each person who is motivated to be part of building their communal future. Once invited to be part of building something together, the people jump into action and participate in such quantities that Moses eventually tells them to stop.
As this small piece of Torah makes clear, building and sustaining our Jewish community requires strong, thoughtful leadership, but it also takes each and every one of us doing our part.
All of this leads to my request of each of us.
Elections for the World Zionist Congress will begin on March 10 and run until May 4th. This election determines control over 1 billion dollars in funding for various programs in Israel. A strong showing and vote for the Reform slate will enable our Movement in Israel to continue its important work in the areas of deepening Democracy in Israel, building a shared society, supporting the most vulnerable in Israel, and demanding equal rights and support for all streams of Judaism.
This election is not only our chance to make our voices… and priorities… clear but will have a serious impact on funding priorities for the next five years.
Those who do not share these values are working hard to gain seats in the WZC. We need to work harder.
Bottom line, I need, we need, your help in ensuring our place at the table.
Unfortunately, the voting process, which can be done from the comfort of your own homes, is a multi-step process. TSTI Board Members Liz Parry and Barbara Schwartz have been working hard to help streamline the multistep process. They have put together a fact sheet that explains why voting in the WZO election is so important as well as the steps. We will have opportunities to vote at various upcoming TSTI programs, but whether you vote while in the building or at home, we need your help and engagement.
But that’s not all. In addition to personally voting, I’m asking each of you to encourage other family members and friends to register and vote for Line 3: Reform Movement. Our congregation of 750 households could easily account for thousands of votes. But only if we each follow the guidance of this Torah portion, roll up our sleeves, and bring our values to bear through action.
There is a kick-off virtual voting event on Monday March 10th which you need to register for, link is here which will give you an opportunity to vote and learn more about the election and what is at stake:
“Opening Night WZC Vote-A-Thon”
March 10th at 8:00pm ET
Register here
You will be seeing our team at temple events and there are paper ballots available that can be sent out as well.
Even as Israel continues to face existential threats from the outside, a fight for the soul of the one Jewish and Democratic State is underway. This is our chance to have direct and real impact.
I thank you all in advance.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Dan Cohen