MaNishma with Rabbi Arnold Goodman – Parshat Nitzavim 5782

MaNishma with Rabbi Arnold Goodman

Parshat Nitzavim
The Fragile Flower of Trust

By Rabbi Arnold Goodman Senior Rabbinic Scholar

The four Hebrew words comprising Elul are interpreted as an acronym for the beautiful verse in Song of songs, "I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine." These words spoken by beloveds reflect the deep love of life's partners for one another.

Traditionally the groom, when placing the ring on his beloved's finger, recites, "With this ring you are sanctified to me," and this is no trivial promise. The bride, by extending her finger upon which the ring is placed or by placing a ring on the finger of her groom, signifies that she accepts being in a sanctified relationship with her beloved. They are embraced by their mutual acts and have entered into a relationship founded on trust. This dynamic is also obviously implicit in the double ring ceremonies that are the norm in most contemporary ceremonies.

The real challenge of the relationship, however, is to establish and deepen emunah–mutual trust in one another. The relationship formed by promises under the chuppah cannot endure without trust. There is a great difference between a wedding and a marriage. The former is an emotion-filled celebration; shared by all in attendance. Then, when the last guests have departed, the couple is faced with the formidable challenge of building a marriage on this infrastructure of faith and trust.

A strange story in the Talmud (Ketubot 62b) sensitizes us to the consequences of a loss of trust. Rabbi Rechumi, a fourth century Babylonian scholar, studied in the renowned Babylonian academy at Mehuza. The accepted custom was for these scholars to be separated from their wives for prolonged periods, at times–even for years. This, obviously, is not our way today, but it was a common practice in the past. The relationship was built on mutual trust; he would immerse himself in Torah with the understanding that he would return at a mutually agreed upon time.

Rabbi Rechumi's practice was to rejoin his wife once a year–on the day before Yom Kippur. She would eagerly await his arrival and the time they would be with one another–albeit for but a day. The Talmud records that one year on the day he was to return, Rabbi Rechumi  was sitting on the roof so totally engrossed in his studies that he became oblivious to the passage of time, and he failed to return home.

His wife, of course, had prepared herself for this annual reunion and, as the day wore on, she kept saying to herself, "Soon he will be at the door, soon he will be here."The sounds of every footstep outside raised her hopes that he was about to appear.

Sunset came, Yom Kippur had begun and with the intensity of her disappointment and sorrow, her eyes filled with tears, and it was at that very moment that the roof on which Rabbi Rechumi was seated collapsed and he plunged to his death.

To my mind this strange story of the tears in her eyes and the collapsed roof that buried him, is a metaphor for the disintegration of their relationship–it's very death. Rabbi Rechumi had violated the trust that was essential to their marriage, and just as tears cannot be returned to the eye or the collapsed roof be put together, so could the marriage no longer endure.

R. Rechumi's failure may seem trivial in our eyes, but this is a story of how a loss of trust can cause a marriage to dissolve. Trust is much like a delicate flower to be handled with care and tenderness.

What is true of marriage is true of all relationships. Elul and the forthcoming Days of Awe challenge us to assess our actions to determine if, when, and how we may have violated a trust–often an unwritten agreement between us and the other. The task demanded of us is to make an honest effort to effect a reconciliation and hopefully the other's heart will be open to our sincere expressions of regret.

Fortunately, our Tradition encourages us to have faith that our Heavenly Partner will always keep the door open for us to enter into a reconciliation with Him. We can commit or re-commit ourselves to embrace a life of Mitzvah. He, however, cannot–and will not–fully embrace us and accept our return or teshuvah until we have made an honest effort to reach out to the others in our lives: spouses, children, parents, family, friends, co-workers, etc.

The challenge of this season is to remind ourselves of promises made, of agreements entered into, and above all, of the essential faith and trust that must undergird the infrastructure of our many relationships. 

From the holy city of Jerusalem, my best wishes for Shabbat shalom umevorach, a Shabbat of peace and of blessing and for a shana tovah u'metukah–a sweet new year.

Schmooze and News at AA

Schmooze and News at AA

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For a full schedule of Rosh Hashanah services and programming, please visit our High Holiday Hub (link below).

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Registration for Kesher (youth program) and Nesiah (teen program)  is now open!

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We are grateful for your continued support, patience, and fortitude as our community, country and world move through one of the most challenging times in modern history. With the guidance of the Center of Disease Control's (CDC) latest guidelines, we are sharing with you our updated protocols which will allow our synagogue building and community to live up to its traditional name, a Beit Knesset (A House of Gathering). Effective today, Friday, March 11, the following changes to our safety protocols will be in effect for our worship, cultural events, adult learning, and business meetings:
  • Fully vaccinated adults (16 years old and above) and individuals who have fully recovered from a documented COVID-19 infection in the last six months may attend indoor activities with or without a mask.
  • If you are not vaccinated or have not recovered from a COVID-19 infection in the last six months (natural immunity), we invite you to use our virtual platform to participate with our community.
  • If you are immunocompromised, a high-risk individual, or spend time around others who are, we encourage you to continue the use of masks when attending synagogue functions.
  • For programs that share spaces with kids under five years old, including Family Shabbat, Kesher, and holiday celebrations, we will continue to require masks while inside the building for all attendees. We will always strive for outdoor gatherings for these communities whenever the weather cooperates.

We are hopeful that we are in the final stages of this pandemic, and we can continue to go from strength to strength (Hazak, Hazak, vNet'hazek). As we slowly reemerge from these difficult two years, there will be anxiety, concern, and caution. We anticipate some people will continue to wear masks. It is understandable to still be nervous about removing our masks indoors. Whatever choice you make regarding masks, we ask that, in the spirit of the cohesive and empathetic community that we are, you respect the choices that others make, even if you disagree with them. We will be monitoring the CDC recommendations carefully and will continue to adjust as we know more; this might mean that we revert to more stringent protocols if guidance changes. We appreciate your understanding, support, and patience as we continue to navigate these unprecedented times.

We're excited to announce that the Sisterhood Directory is now available digitally on our website! The following password is required to access the directory contents: Sisterhood21. We ask that you please refrain from sharing the password with those outside our congregation. The directory can be accessed through the Sisterhood webpage or by clicking here.
 
Do you know an AA congregant who is in the hospital or infirm? We are concerned about loved ones and friends who are in the hospital or infirm. Although our synagogue office remains closed, we are still working and would like to connect with you, especially in regards to pastoral care. If you have information about friends or family in the hospital or other care facilities, please contact Rabbi Rosenthal (lrosenthal@aasynagogue.org) directly. We always appreciate the opportunity to speak with anyone in need and offer support in any way we can.
 

We are currently accepting nominations and applications for the Arnovitz Leadership Institute. This program was developed to shape and train the future leaders of our community. Our curriculum will provide unique and engaging training across a broad range of areas including leadership skills, ritual, marketing, branding, and public speaking. Classes will begin in October 2022 and run once monthly (except in December) through May 2023. Use the link below to apply or nominate someone. Applications are due by Wednesday, October 12. Spaces are limited for this exciting program, so please make sure to get your nomination(s)/application in soon!

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There are many that have been forced to flee their homelands to come to a new country, fearful, and facing uncertainty. Most of us are only two or three generations distant from those refugee experiences ourselves, grateful our families survived the life-threatening turmoil in their homelands and could receive any help their new communities could offer. The AARI (Ahavath Achim Refugee Initiative) is helping to pay it forward by offering volunteers the opportunity to make an impact.

The Elul Campaign recruits volunteers to assemble and deliver Welcome Kits to families in need (kit contents detailed below). We often have to purchase personal items for people to place in their homes, so having these kits on hand is of tremendous help and saves families money.

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The AAACTS (Awareness and Action to Abolish Child Trafficking for Sex) Committee is working to provide backpacks filled with school supplies to children who have been trafficked and rescued. Please help these children feel confident and cared-for as they start school in the fall. You can help make this possible by making a donation to AAACTS via the donation form below.

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We have so many wonderful activities at Ahavath Achim Synagogue, from communal to spiritual to social action. The Membership Committee is requesting your help in asking others to come WITH you to any/all synagogue events! Share how many wonderful things are going on at AA with your friends and family! If you know of anyone who should be on our prospective member list or should be contacted by leadership in any way, please reach out to Miriam Habif Gelfond, Director of Outreach and Engagement (mhabif@aasynagogue.org). Thank you for your good word and promoting what Ahavath Achim – the synagogue of brotherly love – has to offer!
Ahavath Achim's Sisterhood is a dynamic organization of women of all ages with diverse experiences, talents, and interests within our synagogue, community, and the Jewish world. Every woman counts for Sisterhood to grow and thrive. Basic membership dues are $45, but we encourage you to join at a Chai-er level. Your generous dues and donations are vital for Sisterhood to continue to offer programs and projects that strengthen and sustain our Jewish values.
 
We need your involvement in AA's social action programs! Motivate your family and friends "into action" towards the betterment of our community, and envision our current programs continued for the future. Reach out to your nieces, nephews, friends, and new neighbors for new contacts and ideas to help us increase our pool of volunteers for our wonderful existing and future programs. We need you! Find out how you want to be involved by reviewing the list of social action programs in which our synagogue has been involved for many years. If you'd like to become involved, please email our Social Action Chair: Alan Wexler (alanwexler@databankinfo.com; 404.872.8880).
Are you a warm, friendly, dedicated volunteer who wants to make a difference in a fellow congregant's life through acts of loving kindness? Are you willing to make a personal call or visit to comfort and support a congregant who has lost a loved one or been ill? These caring touches – acts of loving kindness – make all the difference in the world to those receiving them. If you want to be a part of strengthening our community, then AA's new Chesed Initiative is for you! This committee will work with our clergy, staff, and lay leaders to connect members who need help with members who want to do good deeds! Additionally, if you know of a congregant who is facing personal difficulties related to health, loss, or grief, please contact Fern Schorr (fschorr@aasynagogue.org; 404.355.5222) to let us know. Help us reach out to members in need. We welcome your help and time with this important project.

Donate to the Ukraine Emergency Fund of Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta

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Tribute donations offer the ability to memorialize or honor friends and family through donations to a variety of designated funds. Tribute donations can be made in honor of B'nai Mitzvah, the birth of a baby, a graduation, a wedding, or other special occasion. Donations in memory of loved ones are a thoughtful and meaningful way to remember those who have passed away. Your donation will be acknowledged with a card to the recipient of this tribute. Please note that Tribute Donations require a minimum contribution of $18.
 
The Rabbi Neil Sandler Education Scholarship is funded by the Sisterhood to further promote Jewish education in the older adult population. To be considered for a scholarship, the program must benefit the Ahavath Achim community and be targeted toward older adult Jewish education. Please fill out the application form for your program to be considered for funding.
 
We are proud and grateful to formally launch the Marilyn Ginsberg Eckstein Cultural Arts Program Fund. Formerly the Cultural Arts Program, established in 1977, this fund was established by congregant Marilyn Ginsberg Eckstein to perpetuate AA's broad cultural arts program offerings. AA's cultural arts programming currently consists of: the Fran Eizenstat and Eizenstat Family Memorial Lecture Series, the Chamber Concert Series, the Liturgical Music Artist-in-Residency Program, weekly Shabbat and annual High Holiday musical offerings, and jazz, pop, vocal and instrumental concert offerings. The Cultural Arts Program has long been recognized for its breadth of offerings and its excellence. We hope that you will consider making contributions to this fund as the Marilyn Ginsberg Eckstein Cultural Arts Program offerings continue to present world-renowned speakers, dignitaries, artists, and virtuoso musicians.
 
We are grateful and privileged to announce the launch of the Sonia Fishkin Memorial Fund. This fund was established by Dr. Andy Zangwill in Sonia's memory. The Sonia Fishkin Memorial Fund will honor Sonia's passion for the connection between song and Jewish spirituality. Contributions to the fund will sponsor individuals to create and bring new and singable Jewish music to Ahavath Achim and to the wider Jewish community for use during sacred events and services. Activities may include artists-in-residence, teaching workshops, concerts, and recordings.
 
We are proud and grateful to formally launch the Shirley Reisman Media Outreach Fund. This fund was established by the Reisman family in honor of Shirley z"l. Shirley was always passionate about the AA and together with her family had always been involved in various efforts and regularly attended services at the Shul I have had the personal privilege of knowing Shirley and always treasured my interactions with her, Don, and especially Bruce. This fund has been established to help us to upgrade and maintain the necessary audio/visual equipment to ensure that we give our clergy, staff, and leadership the necessary tools as we embrace the new digital platforms which will only become more important, even after the pandemic has ended. We hope that you will consider making contributions to this fund as we move forward so that we can remain current with the latest technology and trends.
 
AA and Ahava Early Learning Center are proud to participate in the ALEF Fund Scholarship, a program that allows families to make the dream of a Jewish school experience for their child a reality! Parents with children enrolled at Ahava are eligible and encouraged to apply for an ALEF Fund scholarship, which can provide up to approximately $9,000 of support per child per year! The ALEF Fund, Inc. is a registered Georgia 501(c)3 Student Scholarship Nonprofit organization that supports Jewish education in Georgia by helping taxpayers receive a dollar-for-dollar state tax credit for providing scholarships to students at the Jewish preschools or schools of their choice. This past year, thanks to the many who contributed a portion of their Georgia State Income Taxes to the ALEF Fund, Ahava received more than $100,000 in scholarship funds designated for students in our Pre-K class. Todah Rabah! Please visit the ALEF Fund website for more information about how you can allocate a portion of your taxes to help support Ahava or how your child can receive a financial scholarship for Pre-K. It's simple to qualify! Questions? Contact the Ahava ELC Director: Beth Arnold Helmey (beth@ahavalearning.org; 404.900.9411).