President's Remarks
Jonathan Howard
Executive Board

We live by the conviction that acts of goodness reflect the hidden light of His holiness. His light is above our minds but not beyond our will. It is within our power to mirror His unending love in deeds of kindness, like brooks that hold the sky.
Abraham Joshua Heschel, I Asked for Wonder

My mind swings this month to the structure of Temple Beth El - both physical and spiritual. It holds us together in prayer and play, celebration and sorrow, and friendship and faith. It is home when we are feeling alone or frazzled. It is where our children learn about their religious responsibilities and we are reminded of ours.

Our Capital Campaign is as well a mingling of physical and spiritual needs. We focus on space constraints and the act of writing checks—which so many of you have so generously done and for which we are profoundly grateful. Perhaps though, we don’t think enough about the spiritual necessity of giving to our Temple.

Oh sure, we perform Mitzvot all the time—for the sad stranger on a street corner, a family in need, and charities close to our hearts. That’s who we are as God’s children, as Jews. But is it how we think when considering giving to our Capital Campaign? Or are pledges and checks merely an obligation or a good idea?

We’re on the right track with the theme of our campaign, It’s Our Turn. Planting trees for our grandchildren is a wonderful image and a compelling incentive. The result has been terrific. With just 50% participation, we have raised $8,000,000 of the Campaign’s $10,000,000 goal! And I thank you. In the same breath, I urge everyone to participate. We need you. Imagine what we could accomplish if the thus far un-participating 50% pitched in! I smile just thinking about it.

So I ask. Dare we imagine giving to our Capital Campaign as a holy deed—an act of kindness? Perhaps so. Travel with me for a moment into the future, A little girl and a little boy, pals, are walking into Temple Beth El for their first lessons of the Torah. The Cantor is rehearsing. The Rabbi is preparing for a life cycle event. A group of seniors are discussing a controversial movie. The little boy and the little girl are excited and a little nervous but reassured, for this is where their great grandparents learned about deeds of kindness.

Yes, let us be like brooks that hold the sky.