A Message from Rabbi Yitzhak (March, 2006)

Why is it that we so often find ourselves looking backward, checking the rearview mirror as we travel our collective destiny as Jews?

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Preserving Our History

Purim is on the horizon and here we go, we'll scroll back through the ages to Esther’s story, a story set in Persia around 450 B.C.E., a story that, within its own contents, instructs us to read it each year on the anniversary of the celebration of Jewish survival. As we move forward from Purim, we'll soon come to an overpass in the road. Yes, Passover will require a good long stare in our rearview mirror, this time 3,500 years backward into our history, checking to see if our forward motion aligns properly with our past. In the text of the Haggadah we find words instructing us to tell the story of our liberation year after year, generation to generation. Judaism places a great premium on the importance of knowing our history and gaining ever deepening insight through the retelling of the stories that have shaped our sense of purpose and destiny.

As a community, we have some significant work to do to discover and preserve our own local history, particularly as we renew our efforts to move dramatically forward into a new stage in the life of our congregation. As we envision our new home, we see great possibilities. Our future seems to be drawing us forward into new and wonderful dimensions that will only be possible within a larger well designed building. Even as our excitement and enthusiasm grows, I want to encourage us to pack up carefully the riches of our congregation's history. There are not many among us who can tell about the earliest years of our congregation. Is there anyone in our congregation that remembers the establishment of TBI in 1934? Is there anyone who can tell us stories about those earliest families?

In recent months I have been spending a great deal of time considering and planning for our future along with our core leadership. As I have a growing sense of confidence in our strength and ability to move forward and achieve our goals, I also have a growing sense of awareness of the need to honor our past and to make sure that we don't lose our precious history.

In order to preserve our history, I am asking that those among us who have stories to tell contact me. If you would be so good as to write up your memories and send them to me, or if you would be willing to sit and tell your stories to someone who would record them, it would be a great gift to the present and future generations of our congregation. Is someone willing to research the archives of regional newspapers to find the articles that have described crucial points along our way?

I am excited about our plans to grow and renew our vision for the future in a wonderfully designed Synagogue and center for Jewish life. Our building plans are getting refined and come ever closer to the vision expressed through our collective thinking. Plans for our artists to express their creativity in beautifying our new home are being organized. Our sustainability committee is diligently working to create a range of options that will allow us to express our deeply held value of being responsible in our stewardship of the environment. We aspire to go beyond the minimum requirement of accessibility to assure the easy access to all of our congregational activities. All of this and more we will achieve to the degree that our resources will allow.

This is a time for us to be generous in our giving to make our fine vision a reality. Among all of the values that we express in our efforts to create a vital future, let us be sure to value our story so that we will bring forward the rich legacy of our communal inheritance.

Shalom,
Rabbi Yitzhak