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A Time To LearnFebruary 2005From the Desk of Rabbi FreelundOne of the most curious comments I hear from people goes along the line of, "Yes, I am a member of Temple, but I just don't use it that much." Think for a moment of the things that you use the most. Your phone, car, and television are probably close to the top of the list. Maybe, for some of us, the refrigerator is also on the short list. They all have certain qualities in common, namely their familiarity and ease of use. We don't have to worry about the inner function of any of them in order to appreciate their utility and integrate them into our daily lives. There are even cases when a new object can become indispensable and a part of daily life almost overnight, such as a cell phone. Nobody says they aren't using their cell phone enough. If only this were the case with our Judaism! The key to "using" Judaism and all that Temple has to offer is in gaining familiarity. If all if us felt as comfortable engaging in Jewish activities as we do with our remote controls, there would never again be a thought as to "not using it." The goal that our tradition sets for us is to integrate our Jewish values and learning into our every day routine, and make them an accepted and familiar part of our world. Ecclesiastes reminds is that there a "time for every experience under heaven." (Eccl 3:1) Of all the experiences that we can have as Jews, there is one that is highly available and yet not fully utilized - the experience of adult Jewish learning. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of so many professionals and volunteers, Temple Emanu-El is blessed with the Adult Education Academy, one of the finest programs in the country. By now, all of you should have our spring course catalogue in your hands. The opportunities are many, and all await only one thing. You! While our classes are always well subscribed, there is also room for more. Look through the catalogue and at our weekly emails and flyers. The chances to learn and "use" Temple more abound. The most wonderful thing about learning is that is it leads to more learning. Increased ease with Judaism leads to its greater integration in our lives, which is bound up with our ultimate purpose in this world. What a gift awaits all of us who choose to engage in this new year. Rabbi David FreelundD’var Acheir
I would like to thank all of you for your well wishes, hugs, cards and calls in these last weeks. In my time of loss it is a great comfort and blessing to know that when I have been laid low, so many hands reach out to pick me up. Our community is truly fortunate.
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