Rabbi’s Study
to Yishmael by the commentators, in really have. Too many fail to realize that
explanation, Yishmael joining with time has moved on and if they still
Yitzchak at their father Abraham’s remain locked into the stuff of yesterday,
graveside. Yishmael lived 137 years as important as it was, it doesn’t fill the
with 3 stages of development. needs of today.

It’s not a matter of growing older which How sad never to have experienced or
is a blessing unto itself, but a bracha at least dabbled with the variety of
wasted if it is not accompanied by opportunities that maturing life and
development, change and positive Judaism offer. There are so many
growth. While pursuing our own opportunities to expand our minds and
personal needs might typify our our souls, to contribute to society and
formative years as children trying to leave an enduring mark, to have made a
discover and defend our turf, if it difference in some one else’s life and to
persists into young adulthood and have found room in our lives to include
thereafter, later in life we will look back someone or something else. All this and
and regret the missed opportunities so much more is possible if we take the
which would have made a difference in chance and move on to the next phase
our lives and the lives of those around of development.
us. We will have lived a life of taking but
giving nothing but ‘tzaros’ and heartache What are the years of our lives? We
to those who cared most about us. don’t just count the years. We measure
the impact and the growth and the
All too many young adults and families consistent change that has been our life
still persist with the childish notions of and we then know how meaningful life
life’s responsibilities, Jewish identity and really is.
commitment, community responsibility,
and involvement. They are willing to We invite you to be part of some
take that which others have built and potential life flavoring and savoring
provided at seemingly no cost, experiences readily available and
materially or spiritually but in doing so, awaiting you. The second meeting of
forgetting the legacy they must provide Shabbat BeYachad on Saturday, Nov.
for those who will follow. There is that 14th a Shabbat morning is a family
next stage of development in which we experience with Rabbi Perton. A variety
have to personalize and take of courses are available every night of
responsibility, to preserve and enrich the week. We have FunTikvah events,
those basic principles so necessary to Raffle, Bazaar; BTY, Shabbat Morning
sustain life in general and Jewish Services, Lunch and Learn, and the
lifestyle in particular. And if I am not opportunities go on. Add to what already
going to be that role model, I must at exists with your own suggestions. I
least make sure that I support the very invite you to grow with us as an
institutions and establishments that are individual, as a family, as a community.
going to make it happen. What a great way to make winter, not
only live-able, but love-able as well.
Life moves on and does strange and
unexpected things to us. Waiting for Dr. Mordecai E. Zeitz, Rabbi
tomorrow is a foolhardy game. We
never know how many tomorrows we
5 November 2009
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