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VOLUNTEERS?by Rabbi Samuel M. Cohon "It's simple, really: the more volunteering that you do, the more you bring to our temple." There is a famous story about an army sergeant who needs a few men for a risky assignment. "I'm looking for a few brave volunteers," he bellows, "Smith! Levy! O'Reilly! You are the volunteers!" Gideon, one of the prominent "Judges"- actually, military leaders - of the Israelites, had a different approach. Faced with a superfluity of volunteers - probably the last time this has happened in Jewish history - he winnowed them down to the most alert and aware men. The test was simple: he brought his thirsty volunteers to the side of a stream, and invited them to drink from it. Most of the men eagerly stuck their faces into the water to drink. A few prudent ones, however, kneeled next to the stream and scooped water into their hands before drinking. Only they were allowed to go on with Gideon. In this instance, just a select few were even permitted to volunteer. Most temples fall somewhere between these two extremes. We need volunteers, but find them in a variety of ways. It's true that some of the essential functions of a synagogue need to be performed by professional employees-on occasion, even by rabbis. But without the efforts and involvement of effective volunteers, much of the life of a congregation would simply disappear, and so would most of the joy. We are fortunate to have some great volunteers here, but we are always looking for more. There are two reasons for this. First, we believe that the more that people are actively involved in living their Judaism, in making the temple an exciting, vibrant center of Jewish life, the better for Temple Emanu-El. And second, we are certain that the more you involve yourself in our temple's life, the more you will come to care about your own Judaism, and the richer and more rewarding your own life will become. And that's good for you. I'd like to call your attention to a couple of wonderful new ways in which you can become a "contributing member", an active volunteer. First, we have started a new Drash program, in which members of our own congregation prepare (write) and read a short interpretation of the Torah portion of the week each Friday night. It's a great, fun way to learn and to teach, and to give us a little of your own opinion on our great tradition. In this way, we create a Torah of our own community. Call me at 327-4501, or Louise Winheld, our Drash coordinator, at 327-7260 and offer to write a Drash. Second, our own Caring Committee provides a marvelous opportunity to do mitzvot that really matter: visiting the sick (bikur cholim), consoling the bereaved, helping those who are in need of friendship and concern. Dana Adler is spearheading our efforts to become a warmer, more complete community. Call her at 529-3262 and offer to help. I can promise that you will immediately feel that you are doing good and important work. But also call her-or me-if you are in need of help yourself, or if you know of someone else who does. There is a wonderful quote in Pirkei Avot, the Ethics of the Ancestors, in the Mishnah. It says simply, "the more Torah the more life." This means, simply, that the more of this great Jewish process of interactive learning and helping, the better your own life will be. It's simple, really: the more volunteering that you do, the more you bring to our temple. The more volunteering that you do, the more you bring to yourself. Be a little selfish-volunteer. Help us create a better Temple Emanu-El. Help us create a better Jewish life for you, and for Tucson. B'shalom v'reiut, in peace and friendship, From the August 1999 Temple Times |
