Rabbi's Message
Attach Yourself to the Community!
Rabbi Hillel was a very wise teacher of Judaism 19 centuries ago. He is known for many sayings including: “Do not separate yourself from your community.” I think we need to take Hillel’s advice to heart, but also raise it up a notch. It’s not enough to not separate; we also need to actively connect with our community.
As you know, Congregation Anshe Emeth is not just a synagogue. We are a Jewish Resource Center for the entire county and region offering many diverse opportunities for education (adults and children), cultural celebrations, social action, holiday programs, and socializing. My goal, as Rabbi, is to increase the variety of what we are offering and to increase your participation. I will only be content when every Jewish family in the area is involved, at some level, with our community and events.
Some of you reading this are also involved with other Jewish communities in the Mid-Hudson Valley. I don’t see those congregations as competition; our competitor is apathy and our challenge is those Jews who have no Jewish involvement or connection whatsoever. If there are offerings in the area that interest you, I would never tell anyone not to take advantage of their programs. What I do say is very simple: if you are Jewish and live in a place where there is an organized Jewish community, get involved there. Support your local congregation; attach yourself to the community!
If you know someone, such as a neighbor, friend or relative, who is Jewishly involved in Columbia/Greene Counties or the Berkshires, but not at Anshe Emeth, please bring them to an event and encourage them to be involved with us as well. If you know someone who used to be active at Anshe Emeth, or someone who has never even walked through our doors, please direct them our website. Better yet, let me know who they are so I can personally reach out to them.
We continue to build this community one person, one conversation at a time. There are no shortcuts. We all need to get involved with this effort. Help us reach every person with Jewish heritage who lives in this area. Attach yourself to the community – and you will be glad that you did.
