Just a week ago, on Shabbos and Rosh Hashana, I stood at the bima in the little unaffiliated shul in Mason City, Iowa. Like Beth El Jacob, Adas Israel, at one
time was able to lay claim to dozens of families. The Memorial Lights in the sanctuary attest to it's once former strength in numbers. On this day there were about 25 people enjoying morning services. However, the majority were not Jewish. They had come, as they often do each month, to learn more about their search for meaning and identity. It was a nice gathering but we were one short of a minyan. It was time for the Torah reading and all I could do was stall. A long holiday service was about to become longer...or very short...very quickly.
Suddenly the door opened and a man, whom I had never seen, walked into the sanctuary. The congregation president, Sam Sofer, went to him to inquire who he might be. Sure enough, Mr. Wolf was Jewish. He came from California to attend a 60th high school class reunion later that week and said to us, "This morning I felt that if I did not come I would miss so very much."
It was a foreshadowing of what was to come.
It was time for the Fourth Aliyyah and we called up a man who had always declined the honor. For years when we would call up Moshe ben Nick (he did not know his fathers Hebrew name) he would politely decline and pass the honor. But, on this day he accepted. Maybe it was the holiday. Maybe it was the feeling of starting a new year. Maybe it was G-d's hand pushing him to the bima.
His history is too personal to share with you here. But know that for much of his 58 years Moshe has spent his time in various institutions. Tormented by demons too horrible to describe he withdrew from society. But, today he came forward.
Standing next to me he said, "Michael, I don't know the Torah blessing." I said to him, "Don't worry, we'll help. Just think back to your Bar Mitzvah." He looked at me and said, "I never had one."
The service stopped...mostly because I was so overcome with emotion. Crying I grasped his head in my hand and said, "Today you will have that moment Moshe ben Avraham. Welcome home."
And the Torah portion? G-d tells Abraham that, "even in old age you will be blessed".
We take so much for granted and we miss the miracles, both great and small, that happen all around us. Might this year be a year of community, faith, learning and strength for Beth El Jacob and the people standing here before G-d.
See you in Shul!