Printed fromChabadNaples.com
ב"ה

how inspired I was to see an entire family

Friday, 18 October, 2013 - 3:49 pm

 Mikvah pic Elias painting.jpg

logan painting.jpeg 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Friends,

During the 2012 Summer Olympics, Aly Raisman a young Jewish gymnast rocketed to fame for her incredible gold-winning floor routine set to Hava Nagillah. She went on to captain the US team to another gold, in addition to other medal-winning performances. One of the most memorable parts of the Aly Raisman story was a video circulating the internet, of her parents, sitting in the bleachers:   anxious doesn’t even begin to describe it as they twisted and writhed along with their daughter as she attacked her routines. See video below!

Not many of us have Olympic gold-medalist children, but who can’t relate? Which parents don’t feel their hearts almost burst with pride when their child kicks home the winning goal in a soccer match, or recites the whole Ma Nishtana by heart? Or who doesn’t feel a sharp pain in the arm when their son needs to get an injection?

The idea is that all of us, not just parents and children, are in this world together; either we all win, or we all lose. Simply stated, it’s the well-worn “United we stand, divided we fall” theory. It is such a powerful concept and Avraham got it -- he prayed on everyone’s behalf because he understood the idea of human solidarity, immortally expressed by John Donne:

"No man is an island,

Entire of itself . . .

Any man’s death diminishes me,

For I am involved in mankind."

When dealing with children it is natural to feel “Your fate is my fate.” What the Torah is teaching us here with Avraham is so much more. Chabad Naples is a family. Since we are all one, if you lose, then so do I, and in order for me to win, you must also. We are in this together.

As you all know we are building a Mikvah thanks to our dear founders Sally Aaron and the Elias/Yitzhak Families. Early this Sunday morning as I passed by the Chabad building I thought I saw people at the new construction site, so I drove over to make sure. Lo and behold, how inspired I was to see an entire family – The Elias and Yitzhak families from the age of 6 years old to adults -- all outside in the heat, schvitzing and painting the Mikvah themselves! I saw the living proof that we are all in this together and how this community is one family. We share in each other’s joy, in a areal way. And it inspired me to see how you instill a feeling of community and performing good deeds in your children. Let’s all find one day of the week to roll up our sleeves, whether it’s for the Mikvah or another cause, let’s do it like Abraham. To join in the Mitzvah of building a Community Mikvah click here.

There are many other ways to help, (in addition to schvitzing, painting and donating!) and we need you! Our Grand Chanukah Parade and Festival is coming soon -- to join our free car Menorah parade and to be one of the cars in the parade kindly RSVP by emailing [email protected] or call 239.262.4474.

To sposnor a car Menorah click here.

Wishing you a wonderful Shabbat,

 Rabbi Fishel & Ettie Zaklos

 

 

 

Comments on: how inspired I was to see an entire family
There are no comments.