>> Torah portion Wednesday, September 30, 2015 7:00 p.m. The Choice Is Yours DOCUMENTARY FILM & DISCUSSION Rescue in the Philippines R in the Philippines escue the previously ntells Parshat Nitzavim: Deuteronomy 29:9- 30:20; Isaiah 61:10-63:9. 0 f the 54 weekly Torah por- tions, if I could choose one favorite, it would be this week's portion. It's called Nitzavim and it begins with the words, Atem nitza- vim, which means "you are all stand- ing here this day:' The entire community has gathered and is standing before Moses who is giving his farewell speech to the people as they prepare to enter the Land of Israel. It's a great speech, filled with lots of wonder- ful lessons — lessons about how to live our lives and about our outlook. At the end of the Torah portion, we're told that God has set before us blessing and curse. We've been given a choice between life and death. Between reward and punishment. It's up to us, through our actions, worship and speech, to do the right thing and to choose life and blessing. For many, the plain meaning of this text is that if we follow God's commandments and laws, we will be choosing life and blessing. But for me, it's not simply about fol- lowing commandments. This portion is teaching us that we have the ability, the freedom and the luxury of making choices in our lives. Some choices are small, some large. Some are easy to make, some not so easy. We can choose to act in a way that brings us pleasure or pain. We can choose to say words that are hurtful or helpful. We can choose to step in when someone needs help, or we can ignore them. We can choose to follow the rules or break them. And though it is sometimes diffi- cult, we're commanded to follow God's ways and to always choose to do the right thing. Because when we make that choice, we're choosing a better life and choosing blessing. Nitzavim couldn't come at a more perfect time. It is the portion that immediately precedes our High Holidays. This is the case every year. Because, as the rabbis of old discov- ered many years ago, there is a sublim- inal message that we find in this por- tion about what we should do when we make a mistake and make bad choices in our lives — something that's bound to happen because we're human. They discovered when counting words that the Hebrew root word shoove appears seven different times in a 10-verse section of this portion. Shoove, means "to turn" or "to return:' and is later con- nected to the word teshuvah, repentance. Since no word in the Torah was superfluous, the rabbis concluded the repetition of the root word was to serve as a reminder for us. To rabbis, it's a reminder that if we haven't started our High Holy Day sermons, we better get on it. For everyone else, it's a reminder that it's time to begin preparing for the Ten Days of Repentance. It's time for us to do our soul searching, to reflect on our actions and the choices we made during this past year and to think of ways that we can better our- selves in the future and make better choices. Wishing you a sweet, happy and healthy New Year. untold story of 1,200 Jews who escaped the Nazis to the Philippines. After the film, join us for a special Q&A discussion. At this event, guests may preview a panel which will honor the coordinators of the rescue and will be installed as part of the HMC's permanent exhibit. Refugees Attend Dinner at the Frieder Home – April 30, 1940 ■ LOCATION: The Berman Center for the Performing Arts ■ ADMISSION: $10 HMC member/$15 nonmember ■ TICKETS: Call 248.661.1900 or visit http://theberman.org PN C VOICE FOUNDATION Daniel A. Schwartz is a rabbi at Temple Conversations • If you were Moses and sharing God's words with the people in your final speech, what would be one lesson that you would be sure to share? • What is one choice you made this past year that you wish you could make over? What would you do differently? Susan & Nelson Hersh • Michael Liebowitz Stephanie & Jared Miller • Aviva & Jack Robinson Anita & Kenneth Volk • Lori & Steven Weisberg Anti-Defamation League . StandWithUs Questions on events? Call Lawrence Willim at 248.536.9604 HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL CENTER ZEKELMAN FAMILY CAMPUS 28123 Orchard Lake Rd. • Farmington Hills, MI 48334 www.holocaustcenter.org Administrative professionals are in demand! Train for a career in this growing field. DAVID B. HERMELIN RESOURCE CENTER A division of JVS goN program this tal" Students will learn: ❑ Shir Shalom in West Bloomfield. VISION WITH SUPPORT FROM Fall training location: JVS Diem Building 29699 Southfield Rd. Southfield, MI 48076 Generously funded by JWF JEWISH WOMEN'S FOUNDATION OP METROPOLITAN DETROIT A II Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access and Publisher QuickBooks accounting software Time management, writing business communications, resolving conflict and other key skills Resume writing, interviewing, using Linkedln for networking, dressing for success and more now! Classes be in October 12. ore info/apply at: 248-432-5411 www.hermelinort.org 2020160 September 10 • 2015 89