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“WE NEED YOU”
In the Talmud we read, “Eilu d’varim she’ein lahem shiur” “These are the deeds without measure.” While the Torah enumerates 613 commandments, there is a special class of deeds which is considered so precious that their value transcends any earthly calculation. These are the deeds of lovingkindness - acts of caring for another person.
Among these are bikkur cholim (visiting the sick) and comforting the bereaved. Both are acts of caring and kindness for people who are experiencing particularly difficult struggles in their lives. Although the clergy provides much of the care for the ill and bereaved, these mitzvot are incumbent upon every member of the Jewish community, not merely the Jewish professionals.
Why now? As you already know, we will be saying goodbye to Rabbi Spitalnic next month. And several weeks later we look forward to rejoicing with Rabbi Schindler as she welcomes a new addition into her family. While we celebrate with both of them at these new, significant junctures in their lives, it also means that we will be operating with a significantly reduced clergy staff this spring. The last time Temple Beth El had only with two clergy was 1997. Since then, the addition of staff has enabled us to expand the number and breadth of Temple programs and services. During that same period, the Temple membership has also grown from just over 700 families to nearly 1,150 - an increase of nearly 60%! In order to continue to provide for our growing and vibrant community, Rabbi Bennett and I will need your help.
One area where we particularly need your participation is in reaching out to members of our communities with special needs. It is especially important that we provide regular contact and ongoing support to those who are dealing with prolonged illness, and those grieving the loss of a loved one. To that end, we are forming two teams: one to fulfill the mitzvah of bikkur cholim and another to fulfill the mitzvah of comforting the mourners. While these new teams were part of the Caring Committee’s long-range plan, our pressing personnel challenges necessitated our implementing these programs immediately.
Rabbi Bennett and I will be joined by other professionals from the community to provide training for these teams on Monday, November 26th from 7:00 - 9:00pm at Temple Beth El. We will give you the practical guidance you will need in making calls or visits to the ill or bereaved, and framing these acts of lovingkindness within their Jewish context. Each team will not only provide care for congregants with special needs, but their members will receive support, encouragement and ongoing training from team leaders and each other.
If you have any questions about these teams, or plan to come to the training on November 26th, please leave me a message at my office: 704-366-1948, x107, or speak to Rabbi Bennett. While you are welcome to attend the training without registering in advance, it would help us insure that we have sufficient materials and space for all of our prospective team members.
If I become a team member, what am I agreeing to do?
Team members will be asked to make one or two phone calls or visits per month. It is a small commitment of time, but a tremendously important commitment to our congregation’s Covenant of Caring. If you have one or two hours each month to give, your act of lovingkindness will truly be a “deed without measure.”
B’shalom,
Andrew Bernard
Cantor
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