Rabbi's Week in Review Blog

I had the pleasure this past week of being the Jewish representative on a Habitat for Humanity panel here in Kansas City. The panel discussion centered around the value of working with interfaith partners. 

A day later, I was in a meeting with a national religious steering committee for Gamaliel, MORE2’s national affiliate, to discuss how we can advocate for a more open immigration policy. This is something that is needed for any number of refugees and asylum-seekers. We are particularly reminded of this obligation in light of the need to provide safe haven for refugees from Afghanistan.

As we approach Rosh Hashanah, I think of not only how we meet our obligations to improve our communities but also how broadly we define community, how we see our sphere of concern. Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman, editor of the book All the World: Universalism, Particularism and the High Holy Days, presents a series of High Holy Day-themed essays emphasizing that we have responsibilities extending beyond our Jewish community and Jewish world. Referencing Isaiah 49:6, Hoffman reminds us that we are to be “a light to the nations.”

Let us take stock of our obligations as we approach the new year 5782, and strive to be that light to the nations, doing all we can to improve life for all of humanity.