Rabbi's Corner

Message from the Rabbi

Last year, I spoke at a local church for our annual sermon exchange. It was my first time attending a Protestant service, and I’ll admit—I was nervous. I didn’t know when to stand, when to sing, or even where to sit. Everyone was kind, but I still felt out of place.
That experience made me realize how it must feel for someone walking into a synagogue for the very first time—unsure of the prayers, the people, or even the “right” seat.
In this week’s Torah portion, Lech Lecha, God tells Abraham:
“Go forth from your land, from your birthplace, and from your father’s house.”
Abraham steps into the unknown with courage and faith. He doesn’t just believe—he moves. And that’s what faith truly is in Judaism: not just talking the talk, but walking the walk.
Like Abraham, we are asked to go beyond our comfort zones—to notice, to welcome, to act. It’s easy to say we’re a warm community. It’s harder to be one. But holiness begins with the smallest gestures:
“Would you like to sit with us?”
“Can I help you find the page?”
“Please join us for Kiddush.”
Abraham’s tent was open on all four sides so that everyone could enter from any direction. Our synagogue should be the same—open in spirit, not just in structure.
When we truly live our values—when we see and welcome one another with kindness and care—we don’t just create community.
We create holiness.