TORAH TIMES - SPRING EDITION 2018
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A Message from Our<br />
Membership Director<br />
Dear Families,<br />
GABY RASCOVSKY<br />
As Dr. Ron Wolfson suggests, one of<br />
the goals for an institution is to plant<br />
the seed in our communitites to<br />
become a “Relational Jew”. A Jew who<br />
views Judaism as on impacting virtually<br />
all of one’s relationship. Jewish identity<br />
is not measured by how many services<br />
we attend a month, or whether we<br />
light Shabbat candles or not. These are<br />
just indicators of Jewish identificaton.<br />
Internal Jewish identity is shaped by<br />
the relationships in one’s life.<br />
So, as a professional, here are some<br />
questions I exercised to identify our<br />
steps in offering opportunities from our<br />
shul and to become the Relational Jew:<br />
Do we see ourselves as part of a Jewish<br />
family? How do we relate to being a<br />
Jewish father, daughter, grandfather,<br />
sister, partner, or spouse?<br />
Do we find ourselves among a network<br />
of good friends; friends who will be<br />
there for me in good and bad times?<br />
Do we engage in life long learning<br />
about Judaism? Do we try on Jewish<br />
practices? Do we commit to living a<br />
Jewish life? Do I belong and support<br />
my community? My synagogue?.<br />
Truthfully, we are a big family, with<br />
a lot going on week after week, but<br />
we quite know each other. We are<br />
exposed, embraced and surrounded<br />
by families that will be here and there<br />
for each other in bad and good times.<br />
We give endless opportunities to<br />
transform into the desired Relational<br />
Jew by chosing the experience that<br />
best fits our interest or our family. We<br />
are here for you, and without you we<br />
would never be who we are.<br />
As a Membership Director, I invite<br />
you once again to take advantage of<br />
the many opportunities offered in our<br />
snynagogue and if you haven’t done<br />
so expand your Jewish relationships by<br />
connecting with others through different<br />
paths; the ritual, the social, the communal<br />
or the cultural. “ When you find meaning,<br />
and understanding of the significance of<br />
life; you find purpose - an imperative to<br />
do what you are put on earth to do during<br />
your life; you find belonging - a community<br />
of people who are there for you and with<br />
you; and you find blessing - a feeling of<br />
deep satisfaction and gratitude, a calendar<br />
and life cycle of opportunities to celebrate<br />
gifts of life”.<br />
This is how we embrace the Relational Jew<br />
here at Beth Torah Benny Rok Campus.<br />
If you have any questions, please feel free<br />
to contact me at grascovsky@btbrc.org or<br />
305-932-2829 x 7821 at any time.<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Gaby Rascovsky<br />
Membership and Religious School Director<br />
Spring Edition <strong>2018</strong> l Adar-Nissan-Iyar 5778<br />
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