Vayera 2017

Every shul describes itself as "warm and welcoming." All too often though this means that communities work hard to welcome those they want to welcome, those that fit in. A culture of welcoming is one in which welcoming is so ingrained and lauded that it is viewed as the most important Jewish characteristic. That anyone who comes in will be fully and equally welcomed. That whoever is in the shul at that moment is seen as being the community.

This parsha, Vayera, is the parsha to evaluate ourselves on this aspect of building community. In the parsha Avrohom leaves God's presence to run into the desert and welcome three strangers. Avrohom has no idea that these are angels - Rashi points out that as Avrohom sees them, they are nomads, idol worshipers. That is who Avrohom runs to welcome into his tent with great effort to make them feel at home. That is the Jewish paradigm.

The cultivation of a culture of welcoming must begin with us welcoming each other within our community. This Shabbat, even if you are new, make a point of going over to someone you don't know and connecting with them. Introduce yourself, see them as they are, made in the image of God, a member of your Kesher family and your Jewish family. Find out not only what they are doing but what they need, what inspires them, what you have in common.

I think that the more we cultivate a sense of family within Kesher, the more those from the outside who enter will sense that welcoming and embracing atmosphere that we embody, and will feel embraced themselves.