Shabbat Shalom ~ Vayakhel-Pekudei 2026

Shalom WJC Family,

Earlier this week, I came across an article in the Wall Street Journal titled: “New York’s New Superhero: The 37-Year-Old Woman Who Makes Trash Disappear.” Needless to say, I was intrigued. What kind of trash, you ask? And where?

As it turns out, section after section of the Brooklyn Bridge has become covered in debris – padlocks, hair ties, unused tampons, socks, and more – costing New York City hundreds of thousands of dollars to remove, only for it to quickly return as residents and tourists flock to leave their mark on the city with whatever they have on hand.

Ellen Baum, who has been given several nicknames (my favorite is “Brooklyn brigilante”), has taken it upon herself, with modest supplies, to slowly but steadily cut, pull, and remove this trash from the bridge – hour after hour, day after day.

The article about Baum is both a human-interest story and a curious commentary on the world we live in today. Anywhere we look, everywhere we turn, it seems we encounter enormous, frustrating, overwhelming challenges. It is easy to feel powerless and defeated – sometimes even angry. I found myself thinking back to my 11th-grade French class, when we read Albert Camus’ The Myth of Sisyphus and, as a class, sank deeper and deeper into cynicism about the fate of the human race. What difference can we make? Why bother?

This is not the Jewish approach (which may be why I found the article so worthwhile). As the Mishnah in Pirkei Avot teaches: it is not our duty to complete the task, but neither are we free to desist from it. In this week’s parsha, Vayakhel-Pekudei, we read about the Israelites coming together to construct the Mishkan, the portable sanctuary where God would dwell. Each person contributed their skills, energy, and creativity, and together – slowly but surely – they created something greater than the sum of their parts. It was something no one individual could have accomplished alone, no matter how strong, wealthy, or important they might have been.

There is a beautiful parallel to our lives today. Every one of us brings unique gifts, and when we come together, we build spaces of holiness, joy, and connection. That is our eternal gift to one another: wherever we go, whatever may be happening around us, we can create. This lesson feels especially poignant in a moment when Jewish communal spaces themselves can feel fragile. In the wake of this week’s attack at a synagogue in Michigan, we are reminded that there are those who would seek to frighten Jews away from gathering, praying, and building community together. And yet the story of the Mishkan teaches the opposite response. Again and again, we build. We gather. We create spaces of learning, compassion, and connection. Violence may try to instill fear, but our answer – as it has always been – is to keep showing up for one another and to keep building something sacred together.

Just as the Mishkan was built with care, intention, and collaboration, so too are we building a synagogue community where everyone can belong and thrive. In that spirit, I hope you’ll join us this Saturday for our Adult Bnei Mitzvah celebration. What a joyful moment as we cap off a year of terrific learning and honor this group and their efforts – learning to read Torah, lead a prayer, and share their thoughts on the parsha.

Please note that services this week will begin at 9:00am rather than 9:15am, followed by a kiddush luncheon together. Sharing in these moments reminds us that we have so much to offer – and that sharing our gifts is far sweeter than going it alone.

 

Additional Upcoming Events:

Gimmel Siddur Celebration – Friday, March 13th, 6pm
WJC’s “Gimmel” class will receive their first siddurim and begin a journey of prayer and exploration. We are so excited to welcome families and mark this milestone together!

Community Day – Sunday, March 15th, 12:00pm–3:00pm

Join us as we bring the energy of spring into acts of tzedakah and community service. Together we’ll support local organizations and help brighten the lives of our neighbors—a perfect way to live the lessons of Vayakhel-Pekudei in action.

Each of these moments is a chance to bring your own light, talent, and spirit to our WJC family. Like the Mishkan, we are stronger, brighter, and more meaningful when we build together.

We hope you’ll join us for one or all of these events, and that this spring season—full of surprises, growth, and renewal—brings joy and connection to you and your family.

 

See you in shul,

Rabbi Dalton