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Sometimes, a seemingly simple choice of one word over another can alter the way we understand a concept entirely. Consider how we as Jews have the tradition of “taking gifts”, rather than just giving them. This, like so much of our shared history, has its roots in the desert. In parsha Terumah G-d commands us to build the mishkan (tabernacle) and directs Moshe to “take for Me a gift from every person whose heart moves him to give.” Take a gift, rather than give a gift. That one word changes everything. In writing about Terumah, Rabbi Dr Weinreb, executive vice president, emeritus of the Orthodox Union, says that “commentaries throughout the ages find it remarkable that we are asked to take, not give, a gift, establishing the basic teaching that he who gives takes a great deal in the process, that giving is a reward and not a depravation.” Remarkable, indeed.

The mishkan was a holy place, a communal place, and in a sense our people’s first capital project. G-d illuminated the way, and each person played a part. Drive up Oak Street, past Congregation Beth Israel and Vancouver Talmud Torah, and you can see the holy and communal places that are the fruits of more recent capital projects. It’s during this time in Torah that we pay attention to these things a little more. They are reminders of our own capacity to build, to beautify, to sanctify. Like the mishkan, their holiness lies not only in the fact that they were built, but in that so many contributed to building them. It takes people to make what was once a dream, a reality. It is this human element that inspires us, and which is far more beautiful than the very beautiful spaces we have built.

Just as last Shabbat was drawing to a close, we learned of the tragic events in Copenhagen and of the two men who lost their lives at separate communal and holy spaces. Finn Norgaard was a documentary film maker who was killed while attending a debate about freedom of speech. His friends say he was warm, creative, cosmopolitan, and open-minded. Dan Uzan z”l was killed while guarding the synagogue where a bat mitzvah celebration was taking place. His cousin describes him as the kind of person who found it natural to take care of others. It is the human element that makes this a tragedy, and once again it is the human element that inspires us. May their memories be for a blessing.

We recognize that these attacks make many of us feel vulnerable and wonder about the current level of security in our local community institutions. While local law enforcement has not documented any change in the level of risk to our community, it is important to ensure that all appropriate security measures and precautions are being followed. Our Federation has updated community organizations to reinforce best practices and to maximize the level of security they are providing. In addition, we are bringing the Secure Community Network, an organization funded through Jewish Federations of North America, to conduct training sessions with communal professionals and local law enforcement.

When we think of our communal and holy spaces, we recognize that there is a synergy created when people and space come together. Together, they are so much more than what each element represents on its own. I just came back from the desert – well, Palm Springs – where we may as well have been building a mishkan. Larry and Sandy Martin of Calgary generously hosted an event at their home for the major donors from all the Western Canadian Jewish Federations who spend the winter there. These friends, supporters of our work, came together to learn what we can do to better our Jewish world, and in doing so lent a holiness to the Martin home. They are already highly engaged in community work, and to see them renew their already strong commitments to the vital work of our community was inspiring.

When we are inspired, we dream. And when we dream of the future, what will our community and its institutions of tomorrow look like? What we know is this: it takes individuals coming together to make what was once a dream, a reality. It takes you choosing to be a part of that. This Shabbat, as we honour our tradition of tzedakah, I invite you to “take” to our community a gift. Our annual campaign is this community’s central fundraising initiative, and there is still time to join us this year – but barely, as we are on the cusp of closing the campaign. If you have already taken a gift, we thank you from our hearts. If you have not yet had that opportunity, please let your heart move you to “take a gift” to our community today.

Shabbat Shalom,

Ezra S. Shanken
CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver