Parshat Vayakhel - Pikudei
Creating community takes everyone's efforts. This week's Torah portion, Vayakhel, stresses that every member of the community must participate in contributing to the building of the Mishkan, God's home on Earth, in some way. The Torah calls on the Israelites to be ‘generous of spirit’ and donate freely to the construction of the Mishkan. In this musical video above, we see the Israelites contributing their jewelry and other items to build a sanctuary for God's presence in the desert. This was the first Jewish fundraising campaign and people gave from their hearts.
Building energetic communities today also take generous individuals who give of their money and time to create something that all can benefit from. Synagogues and JCC Manhattan are examples of communities that many people contribute to to ensure that they can provide religious services, along with the educational and cultural programming that the community needs.
In order to give generously we have to be moved by the vision. In this week's parsha the vision is creating a mobile "home" for God's presence as the Israelites camp and travel in desert.
Talk with your family about which organizations have moved you to give generously because you believe in their vision. These are organizations that make you want to stand up and be counted as a supporter. Their mission makes you feel proud - one that you want to share with others. This is giving from the heart, not from guilt or expectations. To parents reading this, our children need to know how you decide where to give your contributions of time and money. Often times we don't take the time to explain to them how we give. This week's parsha opens the door to this important family conversation.
Building energetic communities today also take generous individuals who give of their money and time to create something that all can benefit from. Synagogues and JCC Manhattan are examples of communities that many people contribute to to ensure that they can provide religious services, along with the educational and cultural programming that the community needs.
In order to give generously we have to be moved by the vision. In this week's parsha the vision is creating a mobile "home" for God's presence as the Israelites camp and travel in desert.
Talk with your family about which organizations have moved you to give generously because you believe in their vision. These are organizations that make you want to stand up and be counted as a supporter. Their mission makes you feel proud - one that you want to share with others. This is giving from the heart, not from guilt or expectations. To parents reading this, our children need to know how you decide where to give your contributions of time and money. Often times we don't take the time to explain to them how we give. This week's parsha opens the door to this important family conversation.