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Dear JCOGS Family, 

In this week’s Torah portion of Lech Lecha, Abraham and Sarah set out on a journey towards the Land of Israel. Commanded by God to leave their homeland, the couple are our tradition’s first monotheists, charting a bold, new chapter in human history. Lech Lecha means “go for yourself,” and as such, the portion inspires us to reflect on when we too have embarked on new and uncertain experiences.  

Yet not even Abraham and Sarah, role models for marching to the beat of our own drummers, made the journey alone. Tucked away at the end of last week’s portion, we learn that Abraham’s father, Terach, moved his family from present-day Iraq to what is now the Turkish-Syrian border. In doing so, Terach laid the groundwork for the next generation’s journey to the Land of Israel. Even while charting a new course, Abraham and Sarah were supported by those who came before them. 

In my previous letter, I wrote about my fiancée Shira’s surgery and hospitalization. We are both so grateful for all the warm messages we received from the JCOGS community. I am happy to report that Shira is back home and recovering well.

In the hospital, a few kind people commented on the fortitude Shira and I showed. To them, we might have looked like Abraham and Sarah, a couple navigating an unfamiliar and challenging experience. Yet what they couldn’t see were all the Terachs—our families, friends, and communities, including JCOGS—who supported us on our journey.

I write to you at a painful time for Israel and the Jewish people. We are faced with immense grief, and likely a long and challenging road ahead. At this moment, it is easy to identify with Abraham and Sarah. Jolted from our comfort zone, we are now navigating an uncertain future. Some of us may be feeling alone.

If we see ourselves in Abraham and Sarah, let’s remember we also have Terachs: ancestors who can help us on our journey. These ancestors—some familial, some spiritual—passed down Jewish wisdom and practices. It has not always been easy, or safe, to transmit Judaism from one generation to the next. Today, as we mark the 5th anniversary of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, we remember how Jews throughout the ages have turned to our traditions in times of fear and heartbreak.

To this end, I want to invite everyone for a series of classes I will be teaching, opportunities to come together for learning and conversation. Over the next several Wednesdays, we will gather on Zoom from 7:00 pm-8:30 pm for “Big Jewish Questions,” exploring central pillars of Jewish thought and ritual. Classes will be designed for newcomers to Jewish learning, as well as those who have been studying for decades.

Inspired by Rabbi David’s Yom Kippur Dvar Torah, our first session will focus on Shabbat: both classical texts and practices, alongside our personal Shabbat goals. We will reflect on excerpts from Rabbi Heschel’s The Sabbath, which JCOGS distributed on Yom Kippur, and consider our experiences of marking Shabbat during difficult and distressing times. Please click here to register and receive a Zoom link.       

Information about upcoming classes can be found on the JCOGS calendar and in Weekly Emails to come. At a time when it feels precious to be in community, all are welcome as we remember Terach, and explore our ancestors' gifts together.

Shabbat shalom,

Emmanuel Cantor
Rabbinic Intern

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