This week’s Parasha, Terumah, provides us lessons on how to fashion a sanctuary for God’s presence. We read about seemingly insignificant details sharing the precise blend and dimensions of arcacia wood needed for the ark and are provided with a list of materials—wooden planks with silver rings and stakes of copper for example—to enclose the dwelling place. It would be easy to get lost in the details and disregard their importance. However, it’s important to stop and think about why God is so precise on the details of constructing the sanctuary and ark and tabernacle. Why do the details matter? Why do the specific materials matter? Why can’t we just look at the big picture?
In my first six weeks at Temple Beth El, I have witnessed and been a part of an amazing number of meetings, events, activities, and worship experiences. I have studied our master calendar, our strategic plan, and our communication vehicles. I have talked to several congregants about what matters most to them. What I have learned is that my success here will be dependent in part on my ability to help us navigate the massive amounts of information, opportunity, and possibilities. Collectively our congregation, clergy, lay leaders, and staff have incredible vision, passion, and an abundance of ideas. Where we need to grow is in our ability to align the details to our priorities and goals—to master the details in a way that allows us to execute flawlessly. Details, they really do matter!
We also read that God instructs the Israelites to bring gifts.
In my first six weeks at Temple Beth El, I have been witness to several gift offerings. I have seen a swarm of people gather around an injured man. I have talked with volunteers who give of their time answering our phones. I have participated in lay-led meetings where congregants have shared their knowledge and expertise about the safety and security of our building, the importance of a strategic communication plan, their passion for social action and justice, their curiosity about Talmud, and the list goes on. I have also personally experienced the warmth of our clergy and staff during many discussions about a multitude of details as we have started our journey of working together. Gifts come in many forms: financial support, volunteering time, making space for a conversation, a smile. We all bring gifts. One of my gifts is a sensibility around how to shape the clutter of details to serve meaningful work. I’m looking forward to sharing this gift with our congregation.
From our Parasha: Build Me a sanctuary, and I will dwell among you. Exodus 25:8
God is clear about the purpose of the sanctuary: And God says “…let the people make Me this sanctuary so that I may dwell among them.”
I believe this is God’s way of providing us space to feel Divine presence. In my first six weeks there have been many opportunities to feel God’s presence. I have stood in the hallway while young children and their parents danced, clapped, and sang at the top of their lungs to transition from a long work week to a sacred place to welcome Shabbat. I have heard a new congregant, who recently converted to Judaism, share a D’var Torah that spoke to the hearts, minds, and intellect of adults and youth. I have enjoyed the music of Congregational Shabbat and the beautiful voices and smiles of children during Family Shabbat. I have had coffee (well, hot chocolate), breakfast, lunch, and dinner with lay leaders passionate about the work we do. In every instance, I have felt God’s presence and I know that my joining Temple Beth El was a good decision.
We are fortunate to have a beautiful building with attractive sanctuaries. The Blumenthal Sanctuary, the Archer Chapel, and the Polsky Beit Midrash are each adorned with arks and Torahs. It is obvious to me that many people paid attention to the details to get us where we are today. My challenge to all of us moving forward is to continually create sanctuary –a place of refuge, safety, and space to experience Divine presence—anywhere and everywhere….especially in the details.
