By: Brenda Gevertz, Executive Director, JPRO Network
We are entering the Jewish New Year. It is a time for reflection, healing and hope. Surely, we who work in the Jewish community need to take a deep breath and consider the year that has transpired and what we want in the New Year. How will we change our actions—true Teshuva—for the better? Have we listened to others with open hearts and minds? Were we quick to judge? Did we turn away from opportunities to help or were we slow to rise to the needs in front of us?
On Yom Kippur, Jews in synagogue will read the words of Haftarah from Isaiah (58:6):
“…This is the fast I desire: To unlock the fetters of wickedness, And untie the cords of the yoke to let the oppressed go free; to break off every yoke. It is to share your bread with the hungry, and to take the wretched poor into your home; When you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to ignore your own kin. “
We have the opportunity and responsibility to fulfill this mission of the Jewish people. We who work on behalf of the community know and strive to ensure that we directly or indirectly meet these expectations. We can take satisfaction in recognizing that our work has real meaning and value. It is precisely because of the importance of this work that we must constantly strive to do our best.
We lost a champion of our field who understood this. Jerry Bubis, z’l, challenged his beloved colleagues to work by the highest standards and to continuously grow and learn. We was the Founding Director of the School of Jewish Communal Service of HUC-JIR in Los Angeles and wrote frequently for the Journal of Jewish Communal Service. He was a Past President of this organization and mentored numerous colleagues, impacting their professional and personal lives in profound ways. He advocated for the professionalization of our field with educational criteria and an adherence to Jewish values. Through his writings and mentoring he has left an indelible blueprint we can utilize for years to come in shaping and enriching our profession. His memory will forever be a blessing and a guidepost for us and our field.
At this start of the New Year, we can renew our dedication to the values that underlie our work. We can strive to grow personally and professionally. We can hear the final blast of the shofar as a call to action.
May we have the strength and ability to open our hearts to all who are in need and the wisdom to guide our communities with justice and vision. And may we all be blessed with shalom.
Shana Tova u’Metukah—A good and sweet year!