Tzedakah/Gemilut Hasadim – The Embodied Torah of Giving

Divre Harav – December, 2024

Posted by

2

The Rabbinical Assembly, the international professional organization of Masorti/Conservative rabbis, is holding its annual convention in Jerusalem this month, and I will be there. Rather than looking for the least expensive plane ticket, I choose to buy a ticket on El Al, Israel’s national airline. First of all, in these troubled times, I want to support the economy of Israel any way I can. Secondly, in the past year other airlines have frequently, with very little notice, canceled flights to Israel or stopped service altogether. El Al has reliably continue to fly.

For the past nearly 14 months Israel has been subject to tremendous trauma – a war on two fronts, missile and rocket attacks, terror attacks on the streets of major cities, and the ongoing suffering of more than 100 hostages held in Gaza. Yes, I know that the residents of Gaza are living amidst devastating destruction and death. For that I blame their elected government, Hamas.

The RA has kept its commitment to hold its convention in Israel because the least it can do is support our Israeli colleagues by joining with them for a few days of learning side by side with them. I am going to Israel because the least I can do is to experience first-hand what it’s like to live under the threat of attack, learn how Israel is addressing trauma and planning for a better future, and spend some of my resources to lift up the tourism economy. If you want to join me as a “virtual tourist” and help me spend some money and give some tzedakah in Israel, I invite you to make donations to my discretionary fund. When I return, I’ll report back on what I’ve seen and done, and how your donations have improved the lives of our Israeli siblings. I leave December 4, and I’ll return December 16.

If you haven’t heard or read my Rosh Hashanah sermons, download them from AhavasIsraelGR.org to consider some ways that you can build closer ties to Israel as its indigenous people. And please contact me if you would like to host a gather for you and a few of your friends to talk about planning a community trip to Israel next year or early in 2026.

Hebrew word(s) of the Month:

  • • Molad’ti – My homeland
  • • Yelidi – Indigenous
  • • Ha’aretz – The Land, always a reference to the land of Israel

Psalm 87

Posted by

0

“All my roots are in You.” (87:7)

When the Zohar or Hasidic mystical literature speak of returning to one’s roots, we need to imagine an inverted tree rooted in the supernal world above. The energy source that powers the sun, that sustains the world, comes from the infinite God and streams into our world in an ever-flowing channel. When we engage in mitzvot and acts of gemilut hasadim (loving-kindness), we widen the channel. When we engage in selfish non-loving behavior or sin, we narrow the channels. The result of love is an energy-filled, loving world. The result of hate is a cold, listless, fearful world.

Psalm 84

Posted by

0

“How lovely is Your dwelling-place!” (84:2)

What makes a home beautiful is subjective. It may be stunning architecture, lavish furnishings, engaging art on the walls, a lived in look with pictures of family on every surface, a collection of interesting knick-knacks on the coffee table, or the presence of children and toys strewn about everywhere. Any home can be cold and sterile, and any home can be lovely. It is the people in the home, by their welcoming embrace or their cold demeanor, that make the crucial different between a lovely home and a depressing home.

Psalm 70

Posted by

2

“As for me, I am afflicted and poor.” (70:6)

This verse reminds me of the teaching of Rabbi Simha of Bunem, that a person should carry a slip of paper in his left pocket reading, “You are dust and ashes” (Genesis 18:27); and in his right pocket reading, “For my sake, the world was created” (Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5). No matter how materially blessed we may (or may not) be, the left pocket reminds us that whatever we have is an undeserved gift that we should share with those less fortunate than ourselves. Even those who receive support from communal tzedakah funds have the obligation to give tzedakah.

Divre Harav – November, 2015

Posted by

0

Stuart Rapaport has given me permission to reprint the words he shared about our Endowment Campaign on the first day of Rosh Hashanah. Since then, we have received additional gifts and promises so I have edited his remarks accordingly.

***

How blessed our congregation has been in the over 125 years we have been in existence.  From a small group of 15 families we became a two orthodox congregation city. In 1936, under the leadership of rabbi Benjamin Emdin, Beth Israel and Ahavas Achim became Ahavas Israel. We moved into the post world war II years and moved to Conservative Judaism, built two synagogue buildings.  This facility is the culmination of the effort put into Ahavas Israel by so many of our past leaders and congregants.

We turn to you, our family and friends, for further consideration.  Our biggest problem today is that of operating funds.  We know that our membership is smaller, that we have very few business owners and we struggle to keep the financial ship upright.

We are asking you to consider a proposal that will help the future of Ahavas Israel in Grand Rapids. We are asking you to consider remembering the shul in your wills and estates.  By leaving a small percentage of your estate, you are helping to keep Judaism, Conservative Judaism, alive and healthy in Grand Rapids.

We have had many people remember ahavas israel through their wills.  My grandfather, Philip Rapaport, who was not religious but rather a member of the socialist arbeter ring, the workmans circle, realized the importance of our congregation to future generations. He never came to Shul with the exception of his grandchildren’s b’nai mitzvah. Yet, when he died in 1963 he left $10,000 to the congregation for this building.  Think about how much that would be in today’s dollars. According to google, figuring 4% inflation, that would be over $77,000 today.  Believe me, my grandfather was far from a wealthy man.  He was a blue collar wood turner who worked for John Widdicomb furniture.

Or, how about our largest bequest to date.  That of Francis Rayden. That money came to us because of a good deed done for her by a member of Ahavas Israel. Abe Wolfson, member, promised Mrs. Rayden to recite kaddish for her parents and she said she would remember the shul.  He recited kaddish for the family for over three decades and just after Abe died, Francis Rayden died and left a bequest of $650,000 to our congregation. That money continues to keep our congregation in the black.

But we need to create a true endowment.  One that can be sustained and grow while still giving financial help to our beloved Ahavas Israel. Rabbi and I have been meeting with congregants to tell them of our ideas. Leon Ash has come forward and has pledged $2,000,000 through his estate. $2,000,000! He challenged us to match the $2 million.

Through our meetings with congregants, we have been promised $310,000 in gifts and estimated pledges based on current values.  This by seven families. Plus an additional five families who have pledged unspecified amounts.

Consider a percentage bequest.  A small percentage.  No matter how large or how small your estate will be, even a 5% gift would be a generous gift to the future of Ahavas Israel while leaving 95% to your family and charities you wish to help.

Obviously, we are not standing like the grim reaper, rubbing our palms in hopes of getting this money right away.  Our hope is that all of us live a long, happy and healthy life.  We just ask for your consideration to join the ranks of our congregation whose financial support span the past, continue today, as well as bringing Ahavas Israel into the future with financial strength to be able to continue serving our community.

If you have been contacted but not responded, we would love to hear from you and to speak to you.  Please understand that all information shared with us is private and will remain private.

Your participation will help insure a successful future for the Jewish people in Grand Rapids.