Betsy Frank is UHC para-rabbinic fellow and president.
At first glance, when reading the title of this column you might have responded as follows:
“Of course not, I am married!”
“Of course not, I am single and have no intention of getting married or getting married again!”
Or, “Of course not, I am in a relationship, but marriage is not in the horizon.”
When Moses led our ancestors out of Egypt, he was asking our people to become engaged in a vision to create a nation based on a faith in the one God.
Yet, “engagement” has a more general meaning. According to the Merriam Webster app on my iPhone, engagement involves an emotional commitment. That means a commitment to a person, place, organization or a myriad of other entities. So why am I writing about engagement? Yes, I have an ulterior motive.
When Moses led our ancestors out of Egypt, he was asking our people to become engaged in a vision to create a nation based on a faith in the one God.
Willingness to engage created the modern state of Israel
That vision has been carried forward in a variety of ways through our history as a Jewish people. The vision created the modern state of Israel and has been the bedrock of our religious institutions, including our very own United Hebrew Congregation.
So I ask, are you engaged in our congregation?
What do you want and need to become more engaged in the life of our congregation?
Engagement comes in many forms — time, talent and treasure. Coming to services is only one form of engagement.
If we had an informative program, would you attend? Would you attend a special Yom HaShoah service or a Seder?
Perhaps more importantly, what do you want and need to become more engaged in the life of our congregation?
Engagement is a two-way street.
Engagement is a two-way street. Congregation leadership can offer events, services and special programs.
However, if what the leadership offers is not what the membership wants, then the leadership hasn’t planned appropriately. Engagement is a two-way street.
So, I ask again, are you engaged in our congregation? If not, let the Board members know what you want and need to enhance your participation in the life of our congregation.
Shalom,
Betsy Frank