Jewish Value of the Month: Kehilah - Community
Community has always been a central value for the Jewish people. Jewish communities build institutions such as the Jewish Community Center that everyone shares, no matter what their ideologies or individual associations are. Even something seemingly private and personal such as prayer is traditionally considered inadequate unless there is a minyan — a minimum of ten present. Quotations: • From where do we learn that when ten people pray together, God is with them? As it is written, “God stands in the assembly of the Lord” [Psalms 82:1] • A person who avoids society is inclined to wickedness • Nine rabbis cannot make a minyan, but ten shoemakers can. • Don’t separate yourself from the community • A community is too heavy for any one person to carry alone. Questions: 1. Do you think a community is important? Why? 2. How many communities do you belong to? What constitutes a community? 3. What makes a strong, vibrant community? 4. How can you as an individual make your community (communities) stronger? 5. How can we create an inclusive and meaningful Jewish community? Mini Story Times were terrible. Naomi and Avram Weiss with their baby Sheina didn’t know where to go. The Weiss family lived in Germany, but it was 1938 and the Nazis were getting stronger and stronger. The Nazis didn’t want Jews in Germany, and Avram and Naomi wanted to leave, but in order to go to another country, they needed a visa — a special document giving them permission to enter a foreign country. They wanted to go to America. Naomi waited for 6 days at the American Embassy in Berlin trying to get a visa, but she was refused. They tried France. Switzerland. They went to the British Embassy trying to get a visa to go to Eretz Yisrael which was then called Palestine, but the British had control over Palestine and didn’t want to let refugees in. They didn’t know what to do. One day, Avram came home all excited. “Naomi,” he said, “I know just where we can go.” “Really?” said Naomi. “Thank God. Where?” “You’ll never believe it,” said Avram. “China.” “Avram!” said Naomi angrily. “Now isn’t the time for jokes. China, indeed.” “I’m serious,” said Avram. “Remember our old neighbor, Mendel? He has relatives there — in Shanghai, China. Shanghai is the only city in the world that allows Jewish refugees in without a visa. We’ll be safe there.” “I can hardly believe it,” said Naomi. “China.” “They have a big community there,” said Avram. “They help refugees like us. They’ll meet us at the trains and the boats. They’ll give us a place to live and even some money and a job. They’re Jews just like us, and they want to help. We’ll be safe.” Related Values: Al Tifrosh min HaTzibur - Don’t separate yourself from the community. Kol Yisrael Arevim Ze Ba-Zeh -- we are all connected to one another. Minyan — 10 people (the responsibility to be part of a group that can help meet others’ needs.) K’neh l’cha Chaver — The importance of friends, Derech Eretz — Manners, Hachnasat Orchim — Hospitality, Rodef Shalom — pursuing peace, Mishpacha — family.
