May 2007

When we say of someone, “That person is on a mission!” what do we mean?

Generally we think of “being on a mission” as acting with commitment, with singleness of purpose, with focused attention. The phrase often has a suggestion of intensity and passion, and can even connote a dedication to improving the world.

People on a mission in the most positive sense are people who earn our respect and admiration. Last month, for example, I read about Carmen Cajero, a former state legislator. She, and her husband before her, were on a mission for twenty years to change Arizona’s policy of making high school students purchase their own textbooks, a policy that was causing low-income students to drop out of school. Finally in 1984--thanks in large part to her single-minded efforts--legislation was passed that provides free textbooks for high school students.

Not all of us have such a public mission. However, I think it is worthwhile for each of us to have a personal mission for our life. We probably all do in one form or another, but perhaps it is not explicitly formulated. Why not take some time to consider what that mission might be. Creating a harmonious family? Working for social justice? Teaching the next generation? Being an advocate for Judaism? Being a mensch?

Just as individuals are guided by their mission in life, so too are entire peoples guided by a mission. The holiday of Shavuot, which occurs on May 23, celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai. If ever an entire people received a mission statement in one dramatic moment, this was it! I’m speaking of course of the Torah, which is the foundation of all Jewish law, ethics and ritual. We were charged at that time to be “a kingdom of priests and a holy people.” That is the mission of the Jewish people; the Torah is a textbook (given to us for free) on how to fulfill this charge.

To be “a kingdom of priests and a holy people” takes different forms, depending on historical and local circumstances. I’m thinking now of our congregation: how will Chaverim at this point in our communal life continue to express both the overall mission of the Jewish people, and our own unique mission?

At a retreat last fall, the Board and Staff reviewed and discussed the congregation’s mission statement. Here is the draft version that was agreed upon:

“We are a Reform Jewish congregation in which each member has an opportunity to create a dynamic congregational and personal religious experience cultivating spirituality, education and tradition through active participation.”

The final version of this statement will guide and inform our identity, our programs, and our policies. I hope it will inspire passion and commitment among our members, leading our congregation to go from strength to strength, and providing a place where our individual members can fulfill both their own personal mission, and that of the Jewish people.

Please attend the Congregational Meeting on Sunday, May 20, when we will discuss and finalize Chaverim’s mission statement, along with other important matters.

L’shalom,
Rabbi Helen