Mitzvah Initiative: Congregants’ Stories

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I asked congregants to send me examples of the role mitzvah has played in their lives during this holiday season.  Here are some of the moving responses I’ve received.  Since it’s not so much the “who” as the “what,” they are posted anonymously.  Send me yours!

A close friend of mine became seriously ill recently-his second go-around with a difficult cancer.  He’s just returned home from the hospital following surgery and will need time to heal. I am coordinating over 20 families who will be bringing meals to this family’s home for at least the next month. Each day, new emails fill my box with more of their friends who want to help.  My friend’s wife and I have talked about how it takes a certain kind of strength to accept a mitzvah from others, to give people the opportunity to give. In a terrible situation, so many people rise without ego to help.   It reinforces for me what I have known all along and worked to instill in my children–that mitzvah must be woven into the fabric of our lives-it’s just what we do. A kind word to a stranger, a meal for a family in crisis or any selfless act that makes the world a better place is holy. 

In response to your sermon…  I thought that Temple Beth El would be a good place to start using   Fair Trade certified products, such as Coffee and Tea.  We perhaps could educate the congregants about Fair Trade products and then perhaps expand it to other Jewish Organizations in Stamford.  Please let me know what you think of this idea.  Wishing you and your family a very Happy and Healthy New Year.

There is nothing better than a “serendipity or unplanned” mitzvah.  After the Hoffman lecture (which was inspiring),  leaving the Temple and heading for our car (parked legally, near the entrance sign) we could not help but notice an elderly couple walking slowly toward Roxbury Rd.  We asked if they needed a ride and of course, they did not want to impose.   

We insisted and after a very short ride brought them to their car.  They thanked us approximately 10 times in 10 seconds.  I was thrilled to catch up briefly (they have family in Israel).  Knowing that they did not have to walk on the dark road was all the thanks needed. 

Sometimes we have to think about doing a mitzvah and other times it is just staring us in the face…saying come and do. 

BTW, thanks to your prompting, the first thing we did upon leaving Beth El after hearing your sermon on Mitvos, was drive straight to Long Ridge of Stamford Nursing Home, to visit a paralyzed patient (we knew). We found him still there, but moved up to the 3rd floor. We wished him & his wife a Happy & Healthy New Year, too.