” . . . there was something missing“
As Terri and I turned onto Bever Avenue from 34th Street we saw two young fawns grazing in the front yard of a house just below Temple. I believe it was foreshadowing of what was to come at this past Friday evening service. We walked up to the Outdoor Sanctuary and placed our chairs and sat down. As I sat at the idyllic Silber Outdoor Sanctuary, I relaxed and enjoyed the wonderful surroundings. I took in the beautiful sky with majestic clouds moving with a slight wind which made the temperature seem less than what it truly was. There were a few darker clouds, but we didn’t get any rain. They just added to the palette of wonderful colors. It was such a picturesque scene, I thought of one of my dad’s watercolor paintings. However, I felt like there was something missing. The birds were chirping to the Rabbi’s guitar and there were butterflies and moths flying around. At one point, a large rabbit came out the grass and stopped and listened to the music. I was surprised at how long it spent just sitting there looking on … like he was praying along with the record turnout of people who had attended. At the end of a prayer, he moved on with a hop and a jump. A short time later I noticed there were two crows playing in the sky over the parking lot, cawing the whole time. I must admit, it was so peaceful I might have nodded off. But I still felt like there was something missing. As the service ended the two fawns appeared, looked at us and then scampered off. On the drive home I felt at peace and sated with the beauty of what we had just experienced. But then again, I still felt like there was something missing.
For those of you who might worry about climbing the steps to get to the outdoor sanctuary, Rabbi has figured out a route avoiding the steps. Using the front entrance door, take the elevator down, walk through the Traditional sanctuary, then down the hall next to the Gasway library and you will come out by a lower level exit door. No steps.
My fruit trees are currently full of pears, plums, and a few apricots. The early sweet pear trees are almost ready to pick, so if you want some, come by anytime (call first.) The deer and the ground hog will get most of them if you don’t come by.
As I lay in bed this past Friday evening, I finally realized what was missing. YOU! If you haven’t attended a service lately, come and partake! Wecan’t do it without you!
One thing I always keep in the back of my mind as a member of Temple Judah is we are all one large family. We come together to celebrate wonderful occasions like the outdoor services, Bat and Bar Mitzvahs, a baby naming, conversions, high school graduations and marriages. But we also support those who are ill and sit shiva with our members who have lost loved ones.
Please join the Temple Judah family and do your part and contribute to keeping the flame alive and burning bright. Don’t sit on the outside, looking in. Participate!!
Shalom,
Brian D. Cohen
President