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When I went off to begin my year-long cantorial studies in Israel, I expected to experience some kind of culture shock. What came as a surprise was the culture shock that overcame me upon my return to the United States a year later. I had spent a year in a country on perpetual alert to security issues, a place where the topics that preoccupied the person on the street were always somehow linked to matters of life and death. Far from spawning depression or fear, the concern with such significant matters created an atmosphere filled with life, vitality and passion.
I returned to the United States just days before the verdict in the O.J. Simpson trial. Need I say more? I was struck by the overwhelming preoccupation of the American public with superficiality, gossip and voyeurism. So much that had been filled with energy in Israel seemed empty and trivial in the first weeks after my return.
The events of September 11th have changed all that. The shock and horror of the terrorist attacks gave way immediately to an urgency and passion for the well-being of all humankind in the local and broader community. Watching the towers of the World Trade Center collapse, it was hard to imagine that any good could come of such tragedy. Thank God we are experiencing that good here in our midst.
Last summer, Rabbi Bennett and the Caring Committee met to plan a new effort to turn the congregation of Temple Beth El into a family - a Caring Community. This came after more than two years of exploration and discussion, laying the groundwork for building a network of caring in our congregation. The kickoff for this effort was planned for High Holy Days. With plans already in place, the events of September 11th served as the catalyst for the rapid and impressive growth of Temple Beth El’s Caring Community.
The Projects of the Caring Community
Many have asked about the projects of our Caring Community. They want to know both how they might volunteer, and how they might seek the care of the community. The following is a brief overview:
Second Family: Supported by the Department of Pastoral Care and Education at CMC, the Second Family team is a group of volunteers who provide support and companionship for chronically ill congregants and their families. It takes a team of 8–10 volunteers to attend to one care partner.
Companion Visiting: Volunteers agree to contact, either in person or by phone, a member of the congregation who may be isolated or who might benefit from companionship outside their daily circle of family or friends. Volunteers and those they visit are paired one-on-one, and are in touch two to four times a month.
New Members: Current Temple members are paired with those new to the community who live in their neighborhood. Volunteers may bring new members to services, invite them for Shabbat dinner, tell them about Temple activities — and most of all, make them feel welcome in our community.
Meals: Volunteers prepare and/or deliver meals to those who are temporarily unable to prepare food for themselves or their families.
Rides: Those who come to worship services or other Temple events on a regular basis are asked to provide rides to the Temple for those who live either in their area or along their route.
Shiva minyans: Members of this team are notified when a shiva minyan will take place at the home of someone in our Temple family. Those who are able attend the minyan and offer their condolences to the bereaved.
Bereavement Team: Volunteers are assigned one-on-one to a member of the Temple Beth El community who has suffered a loss. They offer condolences and remain in touch during the weeks and months following the death to keep the bereaved connected to our community.
Bikkur cholim (visiting the sick): Members of this team visit Temple members recuperating at home in person or by phone. Team members are paired with the sick one-on-one.
Purim Baskets: Decorated bags with treats and well-wishes are delivered to shut-ins, Temple members living in retirement communities, or those living alone. This once-a-year project includes the Second Grade class who decorate the bags and write notes; volunteers who bake hamantaschen; another group who purchase additional food items and stuff the bags; and a team of high school students and adults who deliver the bags to people in their homes.
Know Someone Who Needs Help?
Do you or someone you know need the assistance of our Caring Community? Call the Temple office at 704-366-1948 and connect to extension 111. This is the voice mailbox of the Caring Community — the place to leave questions or referrals. You may also get more information about the Caring Community through the Temple Beth El website: www.beth-el.com
Are You Ready to Help?
If you are ready to volunteer, please let us know! You can contact the Caring Community by leaving a message at 704-366-1948, extension 111, through the website at
www.beth-el.com, by sending a note to the Caring Community at the Temple office, or by contacting me by phone or e-mail at the Temple. There are caring opportunities for every member of Temple Beth El. If you want suggestions how you can help, we’d be delighted to speak with you.
There is an exciting new attitude of concern and caring in the air. Are you a member of the Caring Community yet?
B’shalom,
Andrew Bernard
Cantor
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