Summer offers us additional gateways to spirituality. Reb Nachman, my favorite Chasidic Rabbi and mystic, found God in the sanctuary of nature. He taught that we should pray to God by going on daily walks through fields and forests.
Reb Nachman prayed: God, grant me the ability to be alone; may it be my custom to go outdoors each day among the trees and grass – among all growing things and there may I be alone, and enter into prayer, to talk with God. And may all the foliage of the field – all grasses, trees, and plants – awake at my coming, to send the powers of their life into the words of my prayer.
Donna Levin, of blessed memory, loved this text of Reb Nachman’s prayer set to Debbie Friedman’s music. She’d listen to just a couple of words sung by Cantor Bernard and tears would come streaming down her face. “It makes me think of my immortality,” Donna would say, “It prepares me.”
Donna faced the fearful reality of a fifteen year battle with breast cancer with faith, grace, and strength. In the summer of 2009, she passed away.
On June 1st, we will dedicate a new Donna S. Levin Pavilion. This beautiful structure was lovingly built by her husband Norm’s generosity and by her son Ross’ skilled and devoted oversight. Her son Rabbi Frank Levin will share words of blessing at the dedication.
Our new Beth El sacred space embodies some of the most important values of our faith which Donna lived each and every day.
Hachnasat orchim – hospitality. Our new pavilion is open all four sides, calling us to invite guests inside for simchas of all sorts — from weddings to anniversary gatherings to enjoying Shabbat music under the stars.
Klal Yisrael – the whole of Israel. Our new pavilion will be dedicated on a night when we will celebrate the leadership of all five Shalom Park Boards. Donna’s family spans the spectrum of Jewish denominations. In her eyes and ours, all streams of Judaism are important and offer beauty and meaning.
Judaism at the center. If you stand at the center of our new pavilion and look up, you will see a spectacular Magen David, a star of David. Judaism was at the center of Donna’s life and is the center of who we are as a congregational family.
Celebrating creation. From the pavilion, you can feel at one with the natural world around you. We invite all of you to stand inside the pavilion and enjoy the beautiful gardens around you. God’s voice can be heard and God’s creations can be seen everywhere.
Honoring memory. As Jews, memories of the past are part and parcel of the present. We are but links in the beautiful chain of Jewish tradition. Donna brought all these values to Beth El, as did all of the Beth El matriarchs and patriarchs upon whose labors of love we build our synagogue today.
Strong. Positive. Beautiful. Courageous. Bold. Fashionable and filled with faith. That was Donna Levin and that is Temple Beth El.
