As we share this time of reflection and think about how we want to live our lives in the coming year, I have two questions that may resonate with many of us. Can you think of a time when you had a “second chance” to change your life? Did you seize the opportunity and act to meaningfully impact yours and other lives?
I am going to tell you about several “second chances fulfilled” that I have experienced at TBZ that have changed my life. This is not surprising, because TBZ is a community where we help each other experience many meaningful “second chances”. “Second chances” to meditate and contemplate, to simply breathe, to share wisdoms, life experiences and insights in ways that help our best selves to emerge. “Second chances” to invest in and build a community where we find faith, hope, resolve and comfort.
One such “second chance” was presented to me several years ago. I was very sad when I heard that a long-time member of our congregation had passed away. I did not know him, but when someone pointed out his empty seat, I was hit with the realization, that he was that elegant man that I always wanted to speak to, but never did. I grieved for the man I would not know, for the lost opportunity to share a conversation, for the chance that I never seized.
A few months later, I was sitting with my wife, Lauren at our wonderful, weekly Shabbat morning Torah study. We looked up and walking through those doors and up this aisle, was that elegant man. Yes, the same man we thought was no longer with us! Striding into TBZ, the picture of health. I had made a mistake! But I was so relieved to see this man walking into shul.
I realized at that moment, that I had my “second chance”.
I ran over to him after services, eagerly introduced myself and told him that he never, ever looked better!! He told me that he just came back from 3 months in Florida. Since then, I love speaking to him at every Kiddush, we have lunch together downtown, we have shared inner truths on topics ranging from meat flavorings to stem cells to prostates. He has a big Neshama, a big soul that enriches my life and many other lives. Thank you, Mort Berenson!
That was one of many “Mah Nishtanah moments” for me at TBZ- “what makes this place different from all the other places?” My realization? At TBZ you don't need permission to jump in and engage. We don't hold ourselves back when we feel the impulse to fully share who we are with each other! This was just one of many “second chances fulfilled” that TBZ has given me.
A second chance to bring Torah learning into my life, made so accessible at our Shabbat morning study group.
A second chance to question and gain insight into the ethical and religious issues that inform my world view as a stem cell scientist.
A second chance to truly celebrate Shabbat.
Honestly, I am totally blown away by the gift of being a TBZ member. It is the place that keeps bringing me closer and closer to what I have been longing for my entire Jewish life- from the Borscht belt, to my Kibbutz Nir David in Israel, to now, finding home at TBZ.
So why do I feel so strongly that TBZ is the place where we can celebrate the possibilities of endless “second chances”? Here are a few reasons.
It is a place that is open, accepting, non-judgmental. A “come as who you are congregation”- shorts or suits, shoes or sandals. It is our internal world that matters most.
We are a multi-generational, diverse and inclusive community- from ages two weeks to 92 years. Why? Because no one is ever turned away for lack of finances.
We are deeply committed to Jewish continuity. At TBZ, kids can explore and strengthen their emerging Jewish identities, securely enveloped in community and grounded in learning a creative, joyous and loving Jewish narrative.
We are a place that doesn't need an adjective to define it. Rather, it is a place defined by images that describe it. Think of an image of TBZ that really moves you. My image is that TBZ is like water, spontaneously moving and changing shape from moment to moment, life-sustaining.
At TBZ, we are the “choosing people”. We aspire to live beyond the boundaries of the rather passive designation of being the “chosen people”. We are passionately “choosing” to be here, in every moment.
We are a place that is always questioning, willing to grapple with the uncertainties of life. At TBZ, we feel safe enough to comfortably leave our comfort zones.
It is a place that has brilliant and caring Rabbis, Reb Moshe and Rav Claudia, who move us and inspire our understanding of what it means to live an integrated Jewish life with all our senses.
And finally, it is the place where today, this moment of T’shuvah opens us up to ourselves, not only to reflect on our past. but to reawaken in us our longings to transform our futures, both personally and as a community.
But in reality, we can only transform our future by securing and transforming TBZ’s financial future. So tonight, I ask for your support. Collectively, we have a chance to invest in each other’s lives by financially strengthening this caring community in ways that will make us all stronger, more human and more resilient. So when that next “second chance” arises in our lives, we all have that “go-to” place, there when we need it, where we can find value, meaning and purpose.
I felt this very powerfully just two months ago, when I faced a difficult decision that offered me a very personal, “second chance”. A minor, elective surgical procedure held promise for regeneration and renewal. But I was weighed down by the uncertainties we can face at such moments. In other words, I was basically freaking out. I felt the love of many friends in our TBZ community and I turned to Mort for perspective. I confided in him, telling him about the procedure and the fears I was facing. He said, “Oh, that, I have had two of those procedures.” That did it! If Mort had two, I could certainly have one! My new, “second chance”, TBZ friend, helped me find the resolve to make that choice, to take that life-changing, “second chance”. Thank you TBZ for helping me make bold choices in my life and for helping me heal. I am so grateful for so many reasons.
Mort, we all thank you. The comfort of your presence is a palpable reminder of the strengths of our past and the promise of our future. We honor you as our longest-standing member. 54 years and going very strong! You fill a ‘larger than life” role for many of us, symbolizing the power of our continuity. Mort actually gave this Yom Kippur appeal for many years. He told me that a congregant was so inspired by his appeal 30 years ago, that he immediately approached Mort and pledged $2,500 on the spot. Please feel free to go up to Mort and do the same tonight.
So, in that spirit, it is now our turn to step up and to significantly build on TBZ’s financial foundation. If you haven’t participated in the High Holiday Appeal, in past years, this is your “second chance” to do so. If you were already thinking of making a generous donation to TBZ, you have a “second chance” to give even more! The need is great. Our Board leadership is both appropriately frugal and visionary. Our operational needs are real, supporting our incredible rabbis, dedicated staff and exciting programming, as well as taking care of this beautiful building we inherited from past generations. Our vision for the future is compelling, with opportunities to revitalize our building with a focus that will best reflect our commitment to Jewish continuity, that will bring Jewish self-renewal to life for many years to come!
Some of you may ask what is the right amount to give? The reality is, we do need large gifts of thousands of dollars. But, even more importantly, as a community, we want everyone to participate, so we are all, each one of us is, invested in our shared future. Our goal is 100% participation of our TBZ community. Everyone, please. Any amount, $36, or $180, or $360 or more will make a big difference. I know that each donation is a very personal choice. So please consider the amount that you are comfortable with and then seize that “second chance” to give just a little bit more.
TBZ is transcendent in our lives, so we must be transcendent in our understanding of its financial needs and in reaching above and beyond to meet this need. I hope we can all support TBZ in ways that will make us worthy of the transformative, illuminating and humanizing “second chances” that await us here! To all of you, my wishes for a meaningful fast, and a wonderful New Year.
G’mar Chatimah Tova.