“Thoughts from the Annual Gathering,” Rabbi Elaine Zecher’s Shabbat Awakenings

June 12, 2026 | 27 Sivan 5786

Welcome to Shabbat Awakenings as we make our way toward Shabbat.  Last night, we gathered to celebrate our congregation and the gifts of time, relationship, generosity and belonging, all offered from the heart.  You are part of these gifts as well.

Why are we welcomed?  Why do we give of ourselves?

Because our hearts are moved toward a vision of community centered by Jewish living and learning.  We live in a world where we have many choices, but somehow this way of being is not about a choice, it is about the way we are drawn inward, upward and beyond ourselves.

Part of the reason takes us back to ancient times.  In the book of Exodus, God instructs the people to craft, create, and construct all with one word of Asu-La’asot

וְעָ֥שׂוּ לִ֖י מִקְדָּ֑שׁ וְשָׁכַנְתִּ֖י בְּתוֹכָֽם׃

Asu li mikdash, v’shachanti b’tocham

craft, create, and construct for ME (God) that which is sacred, special, differentiated Asu li Mikdash

And I will dwell among them.

 V’shachanti betocham

Who and what is the “them?”

The people? The walls? Their hearts.

Tonight I propose that God, the divine, would dwell within their hearts.  I say this because the text tells us that the people engaged willingly by bringing the gifts of their hearts to craft a sacred place.  They didn’t need to be pushed or cajoled or even motivated by reward.  Their hearts led them.  They voluntarily stepped up and forward.  Nedivot halev, gifts of the heart.

These are the gifts we celebrate tonight and all year long that each of you offers and makes the most impact, allowing us all to create what is most sacred and holy together. Our home of learning, living, and loving this community guided by Judaism.

Shabbat Shalom! שבת שלום

Let me know what you think. Connect with me here.

Rabbi Elaine Zecher