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T’rumah – תְּרוּמָה (Exodus 25:1−27:19)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: T’rumah – תְּרוּמָה (Exodus 25:1−27:19)

“And let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them” Exodus 25:8

We build sanctuaries in space (temples and synagogues) and in time (Shabbat and holidays) to let the presence of God dwell amongst us.

A rabbi was asked: where does God live?

The rabbi answered where humans let God in.

Parsha T’rumah – תְּרוּמָה Torah Summary:

God asks the Children of Israel to donate gifts (t’rumah) for the building of the Tabernacle so that God may “dwell among them.” (25:1-9) Instructions for the construction of the Ark, table, and menorah are provided. (25:10-40) Detailed directions are given on how to build the Tabernacle. (26:1-27:19) T’rumah – תְּרוּמָה “And let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them” Exodus 25:8 We build sanctuaries in space (temples and synagogues) and in time (Shabbat and holidays) to let the presence of God dwell amongst us. A rabbi was asked: where does God live? The rabbi answered where humans let God in.

Mishpatim – מִשְׁפָּטִים (Exodus 21:1−24:18)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Mishpatim – מִשְׁפָּטִים (Exodus 21:1−24:18)

Right after the big revelation in Sinai, Moses shares with the people “The Scroll of The Covenant.”

You would think it would open with big mitzvot, big statements of faith. It opens with the prohibition to have a slave. The Torah teaches us that all humans are created in the image of God, no one is greater than their fellow, and no one should make someone else a servant or a slave to another human.

Parsha Mishpatim – מִשְׁפָּטִים Torah Summary:

Interpersonal laws ranging from the treatment of slaves to the exhibition of kindness to strangers are listed. (21:1-23:9) Cultic laws follow, including the commandment to observe the Sabbatical Year, a repetition of the Sabbath injunction, the first mention of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals, rules of sacrificial offerings, and the prohibition against boiling a kid in its mother’s milk. (23:10-19) The people assent to the covenant. Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy elders of Israel ascend the mountain and see God. Moses goes on alone and spends forty days on the mountain. (24:1-18) Mishpatim – מִשְׁפָּטִים Right after the big revelation in Sinai, Moses shares with the people “The Scroll of The Covenant.” You would think it would open with big mitzvot, big statements of faith. It opens with the prohibition to have a slave. The Torah teaches us that all humans are created in the image of God, no one is greater than their fellow, and no one should make someone else a servant or a slave to another human.

Yitro – יִתְרוֹ (Exodus 18:1–20:23)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Yitro – יִתְרוֹ (Exodus 18:1–20:23)

We received the two tablets of The Covenant (Ten Commandments) from Adonai our God. Everyone was there at Sinai. We all stood there, women and men, elderly and young, rich and poor, chieftains and shleppers, all stood together, and the Torah says, “all the people saw the voices.” Everyone experienced God at Sinai.

This is the moment of the big revelation of the Torah. We are all standing before God, no mediator, no “Holy” person between us and the Divine. We are all equal before our God.

Parsha Yitro – יִתְרוֹ Torah Summary:

Yitro brings his daughter Zipporah and her two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, to his son-in-law Moses. (18:1-12) Moses follows Yitro’s advice and appoints judges to help him lead the people. (18:13-27) The Children of Israel camp in front of Mount Sinai. Upon hearing the covenant, the Israelites respond, “All that God has spoken we will do.” (19:1-8) After three days of preparation, the Israelites encounter God at Mount Sinai. (19:9-25) God gives the Ten Commandments aloud directly to the people. (20:1-14) Frightened, the Children of Israel ask Moses to serve as an intermediary between God and them. Moses tells the people not to be afraid. (20:15-18) Yitro – יִתְרוֹ

B’shalach – בְּשַׁלַּח (Exodus 13:17−17:16)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: B’shalach – בְּשַׁלַּח (Exodus 13:17−17:166)

Freedom Song
Cantor Lauren Adesnik 4.17.2020

My strength is
my song.
My song
Is
Adonai.
The Sea
Was…
A disaster.
Moses praying.
Precious
Objects hurled
Thrown to churning currents
As if
Their value would stop the chaos.
The tears of my people-
They are more than enough to
Fill
A hundred seas.
So I jumped.
I slid and slipped,
And Moses prayed, and precious stones flew, and tears fell…
And I sang.
As I felt my last breath leaving my body
The salt water filling my crevices
The song erupted.
Michamocha BaElim Adonai, MiKamocha Ne’edar Bakodesh?
Who is like you, Adonai?
I sang the sea apart.
I sang my people to the desert beyond sight lines.
I sang them to the shores, and then they sang too.
For my song is my strength, 
And God is my Song, so God is my strength.
And God is their song and their strength too.
God is all of ours.
Ozi V’zimrat Yah
God is
our song,
our strength,
our redeemer.
Now what will we do with our freedom?

Parsha B’shalach – בְּשַׁלַּח Torah Summary:

The Children of Israel escape across the Sea of Reeds from Pharaoh and his army, who drown when God drives back the sea. (13:17-14:31) Moses and the Israelites sing a song praising Adonai. (15:1-21) In the wilderness, God provides the grumbling Israelites with quails and manna. God instructs the Israelites to gather and prepare on the sixth day food needed for Shabbat. (15:22-16:36) The people complain about the lack of water. Moses hits a rock with his rod and brings forth water. (17:1-7) Israel defeats Amalek, Israel’s eternal enemy. God vows to blot out the memory of Amalek from the world. (17:8-16) B’shalach – בְּשַׁלַּח

Strength in Membership

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The Fiscal year for the Temple is from July 1st through June 30th. Since the beginning of the new 2022/2023 fiscal year through the end of December, the news about our financial position has been positive.

Following are projects we have been able to implement thanks to contributions from members over and above dues received from July 1, 2022 through the end of December 2022:

  • Update security systems in the front of the building and at ECEC
  • The addition of campus-wide security cameras
  • Replace lightning rods
  • Replacement locks both inside and outside
  • Remodel and interior design updates for ECEC

As of the end of November 2022, we reported 260 donations totaling $94,228.19. Therefore, we received a total of $67,501.49 from 85 donations in December 2022.

The increase in donations reflected in our report is due to the generosity of a significant portion of our membership. Because of the due diligence and stewardship practiced by the Board of Trustees, our members recognize the importance of additional financial support above and beyond their regular dues. Designating some of the monies directly to the endowment for future use and the prudent allocation of funds for enhancements to address immediate needs on behalf of our members makes us proud of the faith and commitment of our congregation.

The ability to report this positive news is primarily the result of our leadership’s proactive steps to employ a new, modern software system, Congregation Connect. The enhanced software provides real-time data and robust reporting capabilities. The results are superior planning and projections with a complete picture of members and financials in one place– including activity history, giving history, programs, and events attended. It also makes the flow of information to and from the congregation smooth and transparent.

Below are some additional benefits of membership generosity resulting in the growth of our overall financial stability:

  • A significant number of congregants are paying dues on time, not in arrears. The generosity of members has allowed The Temple to collect approximately 80% of annual dues in the first six months of the fiscal year resulting in positive cash flow without borrowing. The continued support of the congregation confirms the value The Temple is providing to members.
  • A bonus to positive cash flow and surplus income is saving money over and above The Temple’s budget while also earning interest.

Strength in Membership

/in

The Fiscal year for the Temple is from July 1st through June 30th. Since the beginning of the new 2022/2023 fiscal year through the end of December, the news about our financial position has been positive.

Following are projects we have been able to implement thanks to contributions from members over and above dues received from July 1, 2022 through the end of December 2022:

  • Update security systems in the front of the building and at ECEC
  • The addition of campus-wide security cameras
  • Replace lightning rods
  • Replacement locks both inside and outside
  • Remodel and interior design updates for ECEC

As of the end of November 2022, we reported 260 donations totaling $94,228.19. Therefore, we received a total of $67,501.49 from 85 donations in December 2022.

The increase in donations reflected in our report is due to the generosity of a significant portion of our membership. Because of the due diligence and stewardship practiced by the Board of Trustees, our members recognize the importance of additional financial support above and beyond their regular dues. Designating some of the monies directly to the endowment for future use and the prudent allocation of funds for enhancements to address immediate needs on behalf of our members makes us proud of the faith and commitment of our congregation.

The ability to report this positive news is primarily the result of our leadership’s proactive steps to employ a new, modern software system, Congregation Connect. The enhanced software provides real-time data and robust reporting capabilities. The results are superior planning and projections with a complete picture of members and financials in one place– including activity history, giving history, programs, and events attended. It also makes the flow of information to and from the congregation smooth and transparent.

Below are some additional benefits of membership generosity resulting in the growth of our overall financial stability:

  • A significant number of congregants are paying dues on time, not in arrears. The generosity of members has allowed The Temple to collect approximately 80% of annual dues in the first six months of the fiscal year resulting in positive cash flow without borrowing. The continued support of the congregation confirms the value The Temple is providing to members.
  • A bonus to positive cash flow and surplus income is saving money over and above The Temple’s budget while also earning interest.