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The Calling of Community

03/20/2023 10:18:00 AM

Mar20

Rabbi Brad Levenberg

I do love the concept of a calling. While my Christian colleagues often use that term in reference to choosing to devote themselves to the word of God – “I was called to preach the Gospel” is a phrase that I have heard on a few occasions over the years – I find that the concept of being called to do something may have nothing at all to do with professing, or proselytizing, one’s faith.

Consider the example of pop music icon George Michael, whose documentary, George Michael: Uncut, I have found particularly compelling. At various points in the program, George indicates that he found himself in a position to raise awareness about issues and causes about which he is passionate. Using his fame to amplify those messages, his calling was to comfort those who felt isolated and alone as a result of their sexuality, and to mainstream the LGBTQIA+ experience in this country.

But one need not have a microphone to accept a calling. I would say that each of us who are members of Sinai have accepted the calling to become a part of this sacred congregation. We bring with our affiliation many gifts to this community: our perspectives, the gifts of our passions and experiences, our ability to live our values in concert with others.

This Friday night, we will welcome and celebrate those newest to our community. We will offer a blessing to those who have joined Temple Sinai since January 2020. And we will recognize that, with the experiences of Covid since March 2020, each of us is, in some way, once again “new” to Temple Sinai, even if we’ve been a part of this community for decades.

Please do consider this your invitation to join together for Shabbat services tomorrow night at 6:30 pm followed by a special New Member Dinner. You can RSVP to attend the dinner here. May we each feel invited – and maybe even called – to assemble on Dupree. It will be good indeed to be together again.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Brad Levenberg

Thu, March 28 2024 18 Adar II 5784