March 04, 2009

Dear Friends:


Two weeks ago, I shared with you some of the charms and wonders of shtetl life in Eastern Europe. Of course, we know that it wasn’t all like that. We endured pogroms and poverty. We lived at the whim of the czars, leading many of our grandparents and great grandparents to flee. In some cases, coming to this country, they had family here already. They knew they would be housed and fed. They knew there would be people here to help them acclimate. There would be help finding work, even if it was in sweat shops. Life wasn’t easy, but we had family and community to welcome us. Beyond that, we had a country ready to take us in.

Well, immigration policies in the US are no longer as open, but there are still refugees seeking freedom here. Remembering our experiences, remembering that we were strangers in the Land of Egypt, remembering that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves, remembering that we were once the tired, the poor, the huddled masses yearning to breathe free, we have an obligation to help today’s refugees, as we discussed way back in the fall. In our case, they will be arriving in just under two weeks. We will be welcoming a married couple and their six year old grandchild. They are of the Chin-Burmese ethnic group. (Referring to Burma and not Myanmar is a story for another time.) In Pirkei Avot, we are reminded that the day is short and the work is great. Our window of time to get things organized is very narrow and there’s a lot to be done. Attached you will find a list of things we need. I have no doubt about our ability to gather the necessary things. For a list, see the attachment to this email or the list in your last Temple Bulletin. The greater need, however, is for drivers. Our family will need to be driven to various appointments on a fairly regular basis during the early part of their re-settlement. They will also need our time and patience as they learn English and the basic survival skills of American life. If you are not currently working, if you have a flexible schedule, if you know people who do, if you can crate some evening or weekend time, we need you. Please contact Marilyn Stein, 397-8275, or . This is not one of those times when you can just assume someone else will do this. We need you for this Mitzvah. Together we accept this sacred commitment. Again, please see the attachment for details. The Mishnah teaches, Mitzvah goreret Mitzvah, one Mitzvah leads to the next. So, Yashar Koach (Great Job!) in exceeding my goal of $2000 for Katrina relief. We sent over $2500 to Waveland, Mississippi. Take that pride in our accomplishment, and let it lead us into the performance of this next Mitzvah with our refugee family.


So, very early this week, Shabbat Shalom u’m’vorach. Have a Shabbat of peace and of blessing.

Sincerely,

Jack P. Paskoff,

Rabbi