“God Is in This Place, and I Did Not Know It”

Night is falling as Jacob is alone in the wilderness in this week’s Torah portion. He is anxious and frightened. He sets a rock as his pillow, falls asleep, dreams of angels ascending and descending a ladder. He receives God’s promise of protection, and is reassured. He awakens and remarks, “God was in this place and I did not know it.”

At times, more than ever these days, many of us feel as alone and anxious as Jacob in the wilderness. I said to someone, “We are living at a time when even the good news sounds bad.” Yet we have friends, family, and a Temple Shaaray Tefila community as a source of hope and encouragement, and as a force for good. What we do, each day, makes an important difference in our lives and to those around us.

It was uplifting and comforting to see so many people — of all ages, families with kids, members of the community — in our social hall in the days preceding Thanksgiving busy peeling carrots, mashing potatoes, and sorting fresh fruit and baked goods, preparing 4400 holidays meals for those who would have otherwise gone without. Our Night of Light celebrating Hanukkah, Sunday, December 14, will be an opportunity to come together in community, in solidarity, strength, and fun. All this, in addition to our quality offerings for families, adults, and children, providing education, spiritual renewal, friendship, and good times. To be sure, “God is in this place!”

Rabbi Dennis Ross