Our Congregation

Greetings friends

I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine’s Day—a day of love and sweets and a reminder that love changes everything—a little touch, a little kiss, just one smile is often all we need because we do build worlds on love.

We also just had a new year and it ushered in the month marking the end of the year as this month of Adar—Pisces is the end of a cosmic cycle and beginning of another, and so a holiday is coming, and people start to get ready for the beginning of spring, for the Equinox, for Passover, but before all that, most people’s favorite holiday, Purim, thought of by many as the Jewish Halloween, occurs.

Now, the holiday is not just for celebrating, but for following through on what we say. We have an obligation to heal the world and one of the ways we do is on this holiday when we are to perform four mitzvahs (or laws, or good deeds), which reminds me of the great line in The Wizard of Oz when the wizard is talking to the tin man and says: “Back where I come from, there are men who do nothing all day but good deeds.  They are called good deed doers, and their hearts are no bigger than yours.”

You are all good deed doers, and no one’s heart is bigger than yours, and you do these four things—these four good deeds, and you do them all the time:

1. Perform acts of tzedakah, charity, and kindness—give gifts to the less fortunate
2. Honor the appointed time. It is the 14th of Adar, as the Book of Esther tells us, and we are to remember this event of Purim for all generations
3. Hear the Megillah read, and the Megillah is the scroll or Book of Esther, one of only two of the Bible’s books named for women; and as I said, I will be reading it, and it is on our channel, so you can go and listen or watch anytime you would like.  It really is a great story.  And last is—
4. Enjoy a holiday meal. It is celebratory, so have a great time, and it is one of those holidays where you are expected to become inebriated. If so, do not drive. Be responsible – take a cab, carpool, or Uber.

Of course, it is technically a minor holiday, but culturally a major holiday, even though not a biblical holiday. But it is to be remembered in all generations and was the first Jewish tale of a genocide, but thankfully, this one did not occur, and that is the miracle celebrated.  It was a truly disturbing episode in history, taking place with characters we have read about in history books, which adds reality to it, and we see the first true female hero of the Bible.  It is when we dress up in one of two ways—as who we really are or who we want to be.  It is the time to ask yourself: Who are you?

It is time to ask the world: Who are you?  How did we allow public antisemitism to take such a prominent position?  How did the great friends we thought we had – France, Britain, Canada, much of America call for the end of Israel’s right to defend and protect itself and its citizens?

Thank you all for turning on the one democracy and one true ally in the Middle East.  If you want to see true change, why aren’t more jumping on the Board of Peace bandwagon?

This week, we are still at the mountain of G0d; we have received the great laws, and now we read about the great artifacts that will adorn the temple and have become synonymous with Judaism and its imagery as preliminary instructions are given for the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant and the Menorah.  And to pay for them Moses calls for donations, but only from the heart.  This week’s reading, Terumah, doesn’t mean simply donation, but specifically, it is a word for sacred donations.

All should be. Most aren’t.  Most are from guilt or obligation. But the sacred ones are from the heart. There is a special added value to those, and that is what the people do this week. They give from the heart.  I’m not talking about the donations you may be making to your schools, churches, mosques, or synagogues, which tend to be more from obligation. I’m talking about the ones from the heart, such as the GoFundMe donations, when a story touches your heart. Those are the sacred donations of today.

We are constantly reminded in our readings to help the needy, the alien, the widow, and the orphan. We have been all, and one day, when we finally realize we are all one, there will be none.

Keep practicing forgiveness, and use this time to continue to forgive those you need to forgive and ask forgiveness from those you need to seek forgiveness from. Give thanks and celebrate your freedom and joy; do not succumb to fear. And please feel free to share this audio and video with anyone you think might enjoy it. Of course, enjoy all of our past audio and video episodes available on our YouTube channel.   This episode will be posted on our channel. Click here to watch the Rabbi David Gellman Show in the 2026 cycle.

And if you are one of the people this was sent to by a friend and want to receive it yourself, let me know. I will add you to my mailing list.

Thank you all for allowing me into your homes, electronic devices, and into your hearts, as you are all with me in mine.

Be well, be happy, be healthy, be free, be kind, be forgiving, be compassionate, be independent of mind and deed, be mindful of your intentions, and be good to yourself.  Continue to celebrate freedom of choice in your life, and do not give in to the fear that is so prevalent, and enjoy the peace that comes from acceptance. As always, if you have any questions, suggestions, or just want to say “hi,” please send me an email.  I love hearing from you.

Remember, anytime you do not want to receive these anymore, please send me an email so I can remove you.  And know that I truly appreciate you sharing your sacred time with me.

Enjoy and celebrate your life and the lives of others, and in doing so, be safe, my friends, be happy, and may you all sow the seeds of and reap the rewards of peace, love, and miracles. And make sure you also celebrate your unique individuality and your incredible awesomeness.

And remember, your world is what you make it.  Just wish upon a star and continue to be a miracle in someone’s life, and light the light of love.  May the year bring all your hopes, dreams, and wishes to fruition.

Blessings

RD