My family and I celebrated Pesach in Israel and as always, it was a truly remarkable experience. In the upper Galilee where we stayed, we met Jews from New York, New Jersey, Australia, England, France, Canada, Mexico as well as from areas throughout Israel. While we may have come from different parts of the world and different backgrounds, we were all there for the same purpose: to celebrate the holiday – and everyone came together to form a special bond. Notably, there was always a large turnout for morning, afternoon and evening minyanim, as well as the various shiurim and programs.

The lessons gleaned from my experience in Israel can be applied to us here at Arzei Darom. While we don’t have the unique qualities that are only in the land of Israel, we have nonetheless created something truly remarkable. We are a diverse community of families from different parts of the world and different backgrounds all coming together to build a special place. Yet often, we take it for granted. Now and then, we must step back for a moment from our daily routine of work and home and consider how we can sustain what we have accomplished and advance our common purpose. Often, it begins with a simple step of making a commitment to give something of ourselves, be it time or other resources for the sake of others or for the sake of the Shul. Volunteer to spearhead a new program, or simply help to sustain an existing one by helping those who are consistently putting in much time and effort for the benefit of us all. There are so many little things that would make a big difference but you have to take the first step. One easy one is to dedicate yourself to participating in our morning minyan, even for one or two days a week. With a small sacrifice of some sleep or other modification to your morning routine, you will be strengthening the dedicated group who have worked hard since January to start and maintain our own daily minyan. Not only will you be solidifying this important milestone in our establishment as a Shul, but like with all service of Hashem, you will unquestionably receive more than you have given.

We recently observed Birchat Hachama, the blessing on the sun which occurs once every 28 years. There are many occasions when we say the blessing of Oseh Maaseh Bereshit and there are other occasions when we bless the sun and the moon. However, our Rabbis have taught us that the special once in 28 year blessing is a special “wake-up” call to allow us to appreciate the “mundane” things in life that we tend to take for granted because they occur automatically. Birchat Hachama was an opportunity to stop and say “thank you” to Hashem and to appreciate the “natural” things that occur. Let us take this opportunity to also appreciate the part that Arzei Darom plays in our daily lives and to say “thank you” by increasing our participation in the various minyanim and other shul activities.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy summer.

Donny Furer