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Jewish Community Center of Metro Detroit

Bless The Volunteers!

Parshat Vayakhel, Shabbat Shekalim:
Exodus 35:1-38:20, 30:11-16; II Kings
12:1-12:17.

I

n this week’s portion, Vayakhel,
the contribution of the material goods,
we find the Israelites constructing
he invites those with particular skills
all of the various ritual objects to
to have a hand in constructing the
be housed in the Tabernacle, as well
Tabernacle: “Let all among you who
as the Tabernacle itself (the
are skilled come and make all
portable dwelling place for the
that God has commanded.”
Divine presence).
(Exodus 35:10)
We learn that Moses asks
I love this instruction. Often
“everyone whose spirit moves
as a community, we focus all
him” to contribute gold, sil-
of our attention and expres-
ver, etc., to the project, and
sions of gratitude toward
that eventually he has to tell
those providing financial sup-
the Israelites to stop giving
port for our endeavors (which
Rabbi Dan
because there was already a
of course should be applauded
Horwitz
surplus of donated materials
and appreciated) — while not
for construction.
similarly honoring or holding
Quick question: How did
in esteem those who contrib-
the Israelites — who had been
ute their skills and time.
enslaved for hundreds of years — have
We know (spoiler alert) that
gold, silver and other valuables to con- ultimately the Tabernacle and its
tribute in the first place?
accompanying sacred objects are com-
Well, if you’ll recall, right before the pleted, due to the heartfelt gifts of the
10th and final plague in Egypt (which
Israelites, including material wealth,
we read about a few weeks ago), we
time and skills.
learn that the Israelites asked their
What a beautiful model for what our
Egyptian neighbors to “borrow” such
community can be: We can include
valuables, and that God had a hand
and honor all those committed to our
in turning the hearts of the Egyptians
shared cause regardless of financial
toward the Jews (as juxtaposed with
means and, in the end, doing so brings
hardening Pharaoh’s heart). Let’s call it us closer to the Divine.
a delayed compensation package.
Dan Horwitz is the rabbi and founding director
Upon leaving Egypt, the Israelites
of The Well, a pluralistic Jewish community-
took these valuables and now, in the
building, education and spirituality outreach
wilderness, were in a position to con-
initiative of the Lori Talsky Zekelman Fund at
tribute them. Knowing this, it makes
Temple Israel geared to the needs of young
it all the more incredible that so many
recently freed slaves were ready to part adults and those who haven’t connected with
traditional institutions in Metro Detroit. For
with their newly acquired valuables.
information, visit www.meetyouatthewell.org.
As it related to the construction of
the Tabernacle, there was a finite need
for resources, and that need was met.
But should those who were standing
CONVERSATIONS
in line hoping to contribute to such
• How and when have you been
a holy project not be provided the
asked to contribute specific skills to
opportunity to feel that their contribu-
help the community?
tions mattered as well?
• Do/would you feel different when/
The tradition’s perspective seems to
if asked to contribute your skills as
be that whether or not a contribution
opposed to dollars (or vice versa)?
was actually taken/utilized, what really
Why or why not?
mattered was the Israelites’ whole-
• How do we meaningfully honor
hearted attempt to give.
and express gratitude to those who
What I find moving about this por-
give of themselves for the benefit of
tion is that it acknowledges that people
our community?
give in different ways. Immediately
following Moses’ instruction to invite

*

Sarah & Irving Pitt
Child Development
Center

Open House

Come see our program in action!

Wednesday, March 9
and Thursday, March 10, 2016
9:30-11 a.m.

B Year-round programming for infants, toddlers,

preschool and kindergarten

B Four-star rating from the statewide program

Great Start to Quality

B Academic readiness and values curriculum
B Greater number of school weeks than any

other program in Michigan

B Flexible scheduling
B Instructional swim, gym and music, plus

weekly visits to cooking, science and computer
labs included in tuition

B Winter and spring break programming
B Security system with key card entry
B Romp-and-roll room with climbers, air bouncer

and riding toys

B Beautiful outdoor playgrounds
B We stay open when other schools close because

of winter weather!

For more information
about the JCC’s Pitt Child Development Center, please visit
www.jccdet.org/pittcdc, call 248.432.5582
or email pittcdc@jccdet.org

D. Dan & Betty Kahn Building
Eugene & Marcia Applebaum Jewish Community Campus
6600 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322

2082480

March 3 • 2016

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