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November 19, 2004/Kislev 6 5765, Vol. 57, No. 12
The blessing of protection
Torah study
LAUREN ROSENBLUM
Vayetze, Genesis 28:10-32:3
In this week's Torah portion, Jacob decides to rest during his long journey to Haran. As he sleeps, Jacob dreams that God promises to protect him, provides him sustenance and clothing, and ensures that his journey is a peaceful one.
God's promise to Jacob is the same blessing of protection given to Abraham, Isaac, and to each one of us. We may be attacked by terrorists, diagnosed with diseases, observe Kaddish and suffer defeat, but no matter what hardships we may face, as Jews we cannot lose faith in God.
For the past year-and-a-half, I have watched God work His miracles as He has helped me to grow and learn. After my father was struck with a heart attack, I watched God help him to recover. I felt God's presence when my sister became a bat mitzvah, just as He watched me become confirmed four months later. I know He was there when my brother opened his acceptance letter to college and moved away to start a new chapter in his life.
Every night we all dream, as Jacob did, when we lie in our beds and think about our day and those to follow. After attending KUTZ Leadership Camp this summer, I came back with a dream of my own. I wanted to help get more teens my age involved in the Temple Beth Israel youth group. I brought back with me an idea to go trick-or-treating on Halloween for canned foods. After spreading enthusiasm to all of the youth group members, we dressed up, got two shopping carts from Albertson's and strolled across 56th Street to begin our adventure.
I was confident that the night would be a success, but underestimated the generosity of our neighbors. With pride and joy, each household donated cans and wished us the best of luck. When I rang the doorbell of the fourth house, I encountered something I would have never expected. I explained to the woman what we were doing and asked if she'd like to contribute. The woman replied, "I'm sorry, but I don't live here. This is a home for assisted living and I don't have the right to give their food away." I thanked the woman for her time.
"Wait," she said. "I have something I can give you."
She quickly came back with a Bible in her hand. She opened it and handed me a $10 bill. "Please take this, one of the men here wanted you to have it." I told the woman that we were only collecting cans, but she insisted. She told us that she has children of her own and that we reminded her of them. I took her generous contribution and added it to the jar devoted to raising money to feed hungry Jews in Ethiopia, another of the many social action activities we are participating in.
That feeling inside me doubled when I went to drop off the food. I tutor children at Palomino Elementary School through Mitzvah Corps. Not only is it a place where underprivileged children can receive education, but families can also walk in and grab a bag of food and a new outfit every Friday morning. It seemed clear we should donate the food we collected to Palomino. The children helped to organize all the cans on the shelves. "Wow, look at all this! Where did it come from?" I heard one boy say. Knowing that I am part of the reason those shelves are full right now is an amazing feeling.
I understand that peace seems like something far from a reality, but the youth today are trying to prove that it really isn't something hard to attain. Just watching people open their hearts and greet us with such enthusiasm was an assurance that man is willing to help man - no matter what race, religion, or social class. It is clear to me that the future is going to bright and wonderful for all of us.
Lauren Rosenblum is a student at Chaparral High School and social action vice president of the youth group at Temple Beth Israel.
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