Kol Nidre Appeal 5785

Dear WJC Family,

The events of the past year have left many of us feeling shaken, powerless to act in the face of rampant Antisemitism, and alienated from people and places we used to enjoy. After October 7th, the world, from Israel to college campuses to our very own neighborhoods, seemed to change so quickly that we are left disoriented and unsure which way to turn. As if it weren’t enough already, the horror and sadness caused by the murder of hostages in the last few days have made an even deeper cut into our hearts and darkened our days. It is exactly at this moment that we need tikvah, hope, and that is why we chose tikvah as the theme for our 2024 High Holidays. So, where do we turn for hope while experiencing so many difficulties? 

Rabbi Gerald Wolpe z’l shared this story: A man once cried to God, “God, the world is in such a mess—everything seems wrong. Why don’t you send someone to help and change the world?” The voice of Adonai answered, “I did send someone. I sent you.”

Who did God send for this moment? You. And me. Us.

One important way we can show up for each other right now is by donating to WJC’s annual Elul/Kol Nidre Appeal by clicking here. As we come together on these High Holidays, one of the underpinnings of our observance comes from the Talmud (Shevuot 39a) “All of Israel are responsible for each other.” It is why we gather as a collective to admit our most intimate shame and guilt to God and seek forgiveness—because together we are able to accomplish almost anything. When we step up and take responsibility for Jews everywhere, when we shake off the shock and disappointment of this moment and take action, we not only improve the lot of Jews everywhere, we bring repair to a broken world for all people. Traditionally, giving tzedakah is an important part of taking action on the High Holidays. 

Your donation is a statement that you support WJC, an important Jewish space in our neighborhood. For those who have contributed in the past, we are grateful and will be thankful when you contribute again. And if you have not given in the past, please consider a gift of any amount. A donation is a statement saying, “I believe that Jewish life and Jewish spaces matter and I am choosing to take responsibility for it right here where I live.” We hope that 100% of the congregation will be willing to pledge and make that statement at this time when it feels more important than ever.

Your contribution is essential to WJC—the Elul/Kol Nidre Appeal accounts for about 15% of our annual budget. That means it will:

• Support a space for Jewish children and adults to feel proud of who they are and learn how much we have to contribute to a broken world
• Help fund the ever-increasing security needs and the associated costs to ensure a local safe space for Jews to gather to pray, learn, and celebrate
• Contribute to our efforts to support the people of Israel in their terrible time of need, as we have been working to do all year
• Support our efforts to build bridges and do outreach to our neighbors to help counteract the scourge of Antisemitism sweeping this country and to minimize its spread in our community;
• Ensure we are able to provide excellence in programming and experiences; building on last year’s 20+ guest speakers, trips to Israel, Alabama, and Poland, and myriad kinds of spiritual services and occasions to meet the diverse needs of our neighborhood Jewish community.

This year, in following with our new strategic plan, we are continuing to create and innovate to better engage and impact the members of the WJC family.  The difficulties for Jews around the world right now have made innovation more complicated, but also all the more valuable. As you make your donation you will have the opportunity to help us focus our efforts by indicating which areas interest and excite you most. This will help us make decisions about how to move forward and allow us to report back to you and the congregation regarding progress in those areas.

The Lubuvitcher Rebbe taught, “If you see what needs to be repaired and how to repair it, then you have found a piece of the world that God has left for you to complete. But if you only see what is wrong and what is ugly in the world, then it is you yourself that needs to repair.” This is our moment to act with hope, to see beyond the ugliness of this moment and act on each others’ behalf to build a better future. 

In this season of self-reflection and personal growth when we seek repair for ourselves and the way back to the path God intended for us, let us also commit to each other and to the future of our local Jewish community. I hope you will join me and Tami in making your donation today.

In hope and faith,

 

 

 

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