AHAVAT TORAH CONGREGATION
  • Ahavat Torah
    • Contact Us >
      • On-line
      • Address & Telephone
      • Directions and Parking
      • RSVP for Events
      • Newsletter Sign Up
    • Our Mission
    • Our Community
    • Our Rabbi
    • Our Cantorial Soloist
    • Our Associate Cantorial Soloist
    • Our Board of Directors
    • Archived Videos
    • Photo Gallery >
      • High Holidays photos 2011/5772
      • Ahavat Torah Community Dinner 2013
      • AT's 11TH Anniversary Fundraiser (2014)
    • AT In the News!
  • Newsletter
    • Newsletter Sign Up
  • Blog
  • Membership
  • Worship
    • High Holidays Services 2020/5581
    • Shabbat
    • Holidays >
      • Pesach
  • Learning
    • Weekly Torah Study
    • Mussar Classes
    • Midrashah
    • Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah
  • Tikkun Olam
  • Social Activities
    • Annual Gala
    • Book and Movie Clubs
    • Community Dinners
    • Havdallah Hootenanny
    • Salons
  • FUNDRAISING
    • Annual Gala
    • Tribute Cards & Tzedakah
    • JNF Trees
    • Shopping at Ralphs
    • Shopping at Amazon
  • New Videos

RABBI'S BLOG

Beyond any Expectations!

12/12/2015

1 Comment

 
Sunday (December 6) was a day, “Beyond any Expectations!” Wow, I may even describe it as an overwhelming day. I would not. I would like to share with you just two human stories of many. 

One of the rules the Veterans’ Organization had was that we were not allowed to open our space before 1PM. They wanted the veterans to be entertained first, fed a hardy turkey lunch, and then come to pick out clothes for themselves in our space. We were sad when we had to repeat this line of “authoritative regulations” to many veterans.

At one point, Sherry Levitt, an AT member and volunteer, came to share with me that a little girl who was walking away holding her tall father’s hands, had wanted a particular doll and Sherry had to ask her to come back later. I immediately asked Sherry to please run after the girl and give her the doll. The little girl and her father were so grateful for our present.

Another time I saw a veteran in a wheelchair sitting at the entrance to our space. It was only 11:45AM. He understood that we could not open the doors before 1PM. He explained that at his shelter he can get food, but can not get clothes, and therefore he prefers to be the first in line and go to get the food later. Tears welled up in my eyes. I asked him? “Would you like a pair of pants? What color and size? A sweater? A jacket? How about a blanket?” His tired eyes looked at me with hope as I went looking for exactly what he wanted. When I returned with double the amount of everything he had asked for he was so grateful.

I suddenly felt an uncontrollable need to cry. I left our hanger. I  took a walk so as not to cry in front of people I know.

I saw men, women and children waiting in  long lines for their food. By the time I returned about 15 minutes later, there was a long line forming at our hanger also.  I could not handle it well. It reminded me of pictures from the Great Depression and the Holocaust.

Why? Why do these veterans who gave us so much have to suffer like this? Yes, I understand, some have physical and mental issues. Yes, the government and many professionals are now helping more, thank God.

But there is still soooooo much human suffering that is so hard to handle.  By the time I got home, I was truly wiped out, yet somewhat satisfied that just for a little while we made a difference in the lives of over 1,000 souls.

Baruh Hashem.
1 Comment
    Picture

    About Rabbi Miriam

    Rabbi Miriam E. Hamrell MHL, M.Ed., has served as  our religious and spiritual leader at Ahavat Torah Congregation and helped it grow since it was founded in 2003.

    She is loved for being a wise and compassionate leader who brings a remarkable variety of experiences and gifts to her calling as our Rabbi. 

    Rabbi Miriam provides classes throughout the world on Jewish Ethics, the Spiritual and Inner Meaning of Prayer, Holy Days, Torah, Talmud, Mishnah, Conversion to Judaism, and advice on interpersonal relationships.


    RSS Feed

    Archives

    April 2017
    January 2016
    December 2015
    September 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013



    RSS Feed


Shabbat Meeting Times (all on Zoom)
Mussar Ethics Class: 9am
Morning Service: 10am
CONTACT INFO:
Mail: P.O. Box 18371, Encino, CA, 91416
​Tel:  (310) 625-3146‬
Nourish Your Jewish Soul
Picture
  • Ahavat Torah
    • Contact Us >
      • On-line
      • Address & Telephone
      • Directions and Parking
      • RSVP for Events
      • Newsletter Sign Up
    • Our Mission
    • Our Community
    • Our Rabbi
    • Our Cantorial Soloist
    • Our Associate Cantorial Soloist
    • Our Board of Directors
    • Archived Videos
    • Photo Gallery >
      • High Holidays photos 2011/5772
      • Ahavat Torah Community Dinner 2013
      • AT's 11TH Anniversary Fundraiser (2014)
    • AT In the News!
  • Newsletter
    • Newsletter Sign Up
  • Blog
  • Membership
  • Worship
    • High Holidays Services 2020/5581
    • Shabbat
    • Holidays >
      • Pesach
  • Learning
    • Weekly Torah Study
    • Mussar Classes
    • Midrashah
    • Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah
  • Tikkun Olam
  • Social Activities
    • Annual Gala
    • Book and Movie Clubs
    • Community Dinners
    • Havdallah Hootenanny
    • Salons
  • FUNDRAISING
    • Annual Gala
    • Tribute Cards & Tzedakah
    • JNF Trees
    • Shopping at Ralphs
    • Shopping at Amazon
  • New Videos