So, Yom Kippur is almost here. I am still feeling depressed and have physical pain issues as well. But I am still quite aware that I have a good life and that there are people all over Long Island, the US, Africa and the rest of the developed, developing and the 3rd world who have it so much worse that we do. We worry about a roof repair and its cost. People in Haiti, Indonesia, and West Africa worry about having a home. A hut, really. Something with a floor and hopefully a roof-like thing, or that Habitat for Humanity will come and build them something decent at some point. We worry about having to wait a day or two to see a doctor or having to settle for urgent care and the cost of insurance and whether Obamacare is good or bad. People in most Latin American countries, India, and Africa hope that they may one day see a medic trained by a Doctor from Doctors Without Borders or that an actual doctor from that group may one day come. We worry about how many people to invite to our Break Fasts and what to serve. Many on Long Island, throughout the US, and in many, many other countries, have no idea when or what their next meal may be and are resorting to looking through trash to find food. There is a tradition that before Yom KIppur we give Tzedakah, Charity as part of our Tshuvah (returning) to God and as part of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world). I urge everyone of you to pick charities that you believe help the world, and commit to a small monthly donation (say $5 a month, or more if you can). Pick as many charities and as much money per charity as you can and give before the holiday starts and set it up as a monthly commitment as part of your commitment toward Tikkun Olam in this new year. If you cant commit to monthly, make a 1-time payment today to whatever charity or charities you can. From Synagogues and Churches, to community centers, to libraries, to health, hunger, national parks, wildlife, and more. Whatever you believe in. Whatever your passion is. Donate it. Pay it forward, And pay the MOST you can, not the least. #payitforward #charity #YomKippur #tzedakah #tzedakkah #ProjectIsaiah #TikkunOlam Lastly, if your synagogue participates in Project Isaiah -- collecting bags of food for the hungry -- PLEASE get some food from the store, get some food from your pantries and FILL UP at least one bag. FILL UP 2 BAGS IF YOU CAN. This food goes to the food banks for people WITHOUT FOOD and WITHOUT any other place to get it. Dont mean to rant, Just an impassioned plea to give from your heart today, and give the most to the charities and non-profits that mean the most to you. To all of you who celebrate Yom Kippur: Gmar Chatima Tova and Tzom Cal. May you finish and be inscribed for good and may you have an easy fast.
Posted on: Fri, 03 Oct 2014 16:17:48 +0000
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