A Functional Family in Difficult Economic Times
D'var
Torah: Vayishlach
December 12, 2008
I have mentioned more than once that some years ago, an upcoming Bat Mitzvah came into my study this time of year when we read stories of the various families in the book of Genesis. I can still picture her standing in front of my desk as she said “these families are so dysfunctional.” I had never heard our founding families described in such a blunt way but I couldn’t disagree. This year, an adult member of our synagogue who has been studying Torah carefully sent me an e-mail saying pretty much the same thing. Our ancestors were so dysfuncitonal. Why does the Torah write about these dysfunctional families?
They say that young people who choose to become Rabbis often do so because they are inspired by their own Rabbi. Some are inspired by their great Rabbi and want to be just like her or him. Others are inspired by their opposite than great Rabbi, envision the work a good Rabbi could do and want to try to get it right. Maybe while we are reading of the stories of the rivalry of Jacob and Esau, Joseph as the favorite son of his father Jacob, Sarah demanding Ishmael be banished..... oh and Cain and Abel and Joseph and his brothers, we can’t help but feel that we want to try to get it right. We too can envision the great things a healthy family can do.
From time to time, I use the term “synagogue family” as in our synagogue family in Ohev Shalom. It is hard to conceive of a family of more than 2,000 individuals. As large as our numbers are, I do like to see us as a family, a synagogue family. The family I conceive in my mind is one which is highly functional. That means a family with love and caring and support. It means family that is there for each other in times of need.
Over the past few months, we have become aware of members of our synagogue family who have lost their jobs during these difficult economic times. In one case both husband and wife find themselves presently unemployed. Some who were receiving handsome bonuses not too long ago are now looking for a new job. From an initial idea, discussions at our Senior Staff meetings, executive meetings of synagogue officers, our Board of Directors, we launched our Ohev Shalom Employment Connections.
That we have received responses from congregants searching for employment makes our concern and desire to be of help that much greater. That we have received responses from congregants freely offering their expertise and services in human relations and job searching has been extremely heartening. Where we have sent a resume of a person seeking a new position to someone with many connections in that particular field, the latter told us that he will indeed find her a position. These two individuals had never met before. One is helping the other because they are both part of the same synagogue family. That is what this initiative is all about.
We understand that this is the hardest time to find a new position. That is just why we’re doing this. We also know that while jobs are being lost, there is hiring happening as well. Positions are in such limited numbers and there are so many candidates, a personal connection can make all the difference in the world. That is what we hope to create, personal connections.
Our goal is to make matches between those who are seeking and those who have or know of employment opportunities. I want to ask those who are in any position to be of support of those seeking employment to read the weekly Ohev Shalom Employment Connections that our Executive Director Fred Poritsky is sending to the congregation. Please be in touch with us as well and tell us how you can support this effort. You may have a job available in your own company or know of positions available in your corner of the corporate world. For this to be in any way successful, we need those on both sides of the fence to come forward so that we can help to make the matches.
Over the years, I have seen the effect of job loss on individuals. Right now it is happening to too many in our community at the same time. How often we have the feeling “but for the grace of G-d go I.” Those who have secure employment today have reason to be grateful and that gratitude can cause us to reach out to be there for others in our synagogue family in this time of need.
This week we read of the reunion of Jacob and Esau. Where there was so much enmity, two brothers find healing. Losing one’s job hurts terribly. When one is hurting, it is even more painful when one feels they are going it alone and unaided. I hope those hurting today are strengthened to know that their synagogue and fellow congregants are working with them to be of help. If you are in any way able to help effect that healing, I ask you to join us in this endeavor. Be in touch with employmentconnections@ohev.org . Fred and I receive all of these e-mails and we will work to mobilize all of our possible resources and be of every bit of support we can.
In a little more than a week, after the winter solstice, each day will be filled with more and more light. Beginning on the evening of the twenty-first we will light one and then an additional light each of the days of Hanukkah. For those who have felt a cloud hanging over them, I hope the days ahead will also bring new light and brighter days.
Shabbat Shalom,
