The Power of Light

To Our New Temple Emanuel Family,

By the time you receive the July edition of The Light, the summer of 2013 has be well under way. The weather is sunny, the sky is bright blue, and when we take a moment to breathe in the fresh air, we are reminded of the beauty and blessing of creation.  Yes, I recognize that for many of us, the summer is anything but time off. While the kids are at camp or enjoying their freedom from the rigors of the school year, we continue to work throughout the summer months. Even so, I hope you have had some time to enjoy the outdoors. Maybe it is jumping in the refreshing waves of the ocean, relaxing in the cool waters of a neighborhood pool, or taking a walk with your family, enjoying the lazy days of summer.

For my family, we have had some time to enjoy the radiance of the summer sun. However, we are still mired in moving boxes and settling into life in Cherry Hill. We appreciate the generosity of those who have helped us to adjust to our new life here and extend our most sincere gratitude. Everyone we have met has been so wonderful to us and we know there are many more families here at Temple Emanuel that we will have the pleasure of meeting in the next several months leading up the High Holy Days. We are excited to be a part of the Temple Emanuel family. Thank you for this honor and privilege.

The strength of any community is evaluated upon the contributions of each individual member. This is especially true for synagogue life. As my family prepares to enter into the sacred community of Temple Emanuel, I offer this story as an example of what true community can be.

In a mountain village in Europe many years ago, there was a nobleman who was concerned about the legacy he would leave to the people of his town. The man spent a great deal of time contemplating his dilemma, and at last, decided to build a synagogue.

In the course of his planning, he decided no one would see the plans for the building until it was finished. The construction took a long time - much longer than he’d anticipated. But at long last, the project was completed. The townspeople were excited and curious about what they would find upon entering their new synagogue. When the people came for the first time they marveled at the synagogue’s magnificence. No one could ever remember so beautiful a synagogue anywhere in the world.

Then, noticing a seemingly obvious flaw in the design, one of the townspeople asked, “Where are the lamps? What will provide the lighting?” The proud nobleman pointed to brackets which were strategically placed all along the walls throughout the synagogue. He then gave each family a lamp as he explained, “Whenever you come to the synagogue, I want you to bring your lamp, and light it. But, each time you are not here,” he said, “a part of the synagogue will be dark. This lamp will remind you that whenever you are absent, some part of God’s house will be dark. Your community is relying on you for light.”

When we each bring our light to our beloved Temple Emanuel, and recognize the intrinsic holiness of the light that other’s bring, when we extend open arms to people we know and people we have just met, when we allow ourselves to be open to the beauty of God and Torah in our lives, we create a holy and sacred community where people not only want to come, but want to stay. We look forward to contributing to and feeling the warmth and the light of the Temple Emanuel family.

With love and appreciation,

Rabbi Larry, Becky, Sammy and Daniella Sernovitz