Shalom and welcome to Rabbi Schonbrun’s Monday Morning Message!
As it is challenging to reach our over 620 families at one time, and I don’t get to see everyone on a regular basis, I am going to begin sendin g out a brief message every Monday with some “Torah” to consider as you begin your week. As a rabbi, I am blessed each week to come across all sorts of interesting teachings, articles, people, or happenings that connect me to the Jewish community, the world around us, and bring a sense of meaning, holiness, and purpose into my life. I look forward to sharing some of this with you, and I hope you too find this “Torah” interesting and meaningful.
This past Thursday, Jane-Rachel and I had the privilege of attending the 25th anniversary celebration of the American Jewish World Service (AJWS) at Lincoln Center in Manhattan. If you are not familiar with AJWS, it is an international development organization that is motivated by the Jewish imperative to engage in Tikkun Olam, repairing the world. Under the incredible leadership of Ruth Messinger, AJWS confronts some of the biggest challenges in our world, inspired by Pirkei Avot’s teaching: while we are not obligated to complete this task, neither a re we free to ignore it (Avot 2:21).
In its own words, AJWS:
is dedicated to alleviating poverty, hunger and disease among the people of the developing world regardless of race, religion or nationality. Through grants to grassroots organizations, volunteer service, advocacy and education, AJWS fosters civil society, sustainable development and human rights for all people, while promoting the values and responsibilities of global citizenship within the Jewish community.
It was thrilling to be a part of the crowd of nearly 1000 people celebrating all of the amazing achievements of this organization. Jews and non-Jews came together in a common recognition that as human beings we are all made betzelem elohim, in God’s image, and must continually work to create a world where that value is in the forefront of all of our actions. As the evening’s program highlighted some of the AJWS partner individuals and organizations, I was reminded of the far-reaching and deep impact this small American Jewish organization continues to have around the world. From Chad, to Uganda, to Darfur, to Haiti, to Afghanistan, AJWS has recently granted their one hundred millionth dollar and currently supports grassroots organizations in 36 countries!
When asked how we can even begin to deal with the multitude of challenges and crises around the world, AJWS Executive Director Ruth Messinger often teaches: “We cannot retreat to the convenience of being overwhelmed.” This inspiring celebration of AJWS’ work reminded me what an important impact each one of us can have when we come together to begin healing the world.
This week, I encourage each one of you to think about what you are doing, or what you could be doing, to repair our broken world. Two easy things you can do this week to make a difference:
1) VOTE! Don’t take for granted the privilege of our free society, and make sure that your voice is heard.
2) Visit the AJWS website ( www.ajws.org) to learn more about their work, and consider joining their mailing list and perhaps even making a contribution to help affect change around the world. (Looking for inspiration? Watch this amazing tribute video to Ruth Messinger: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IevZoU-gCvY)