Well, not quite the Rabbi's desk this week. I'm writing this as the airplane hurtles through the air some 35,000 feet above Indiana. I am on my way to a weekend conference in NY. Some 3,000 rabbis from across the globe are expected to attend. My cousin, the rabbi of Lipetsk, Russia will be there. Bangkok and Nigeria will represent.
These Chabad rabbis, along with their wives, have dedicated their lives to the Jewish community in their respective areas. Educating, sharing and inspiring. In the darkness of the world, they are beacons of light and love dotting the 
worldwide map. Kind of like the blinking lights on the wings, only stronger, as they intensify with each good deed and create ripple effects across their communities.
The convention is scheduled to coincide with the weekly Torah portion in which Eliezer becomes a messenger to find a suitable bride for Isaac. Abraham and Eliezer were the original ambassadors of light. Not content to simply be good Jews on their own, they wanted to share it with others.
The truth is, that this mode of action is not limited to Abraham. It's not only for a Chabad center in Tasmania. It is something that each and every one of us can do. As the expression goes, if you know Alef (the first Hebrew letter), teach Alef. When we each add a single flame, together we ignite a powerful torch of goodness and kindness; of warmth and inspiration; a community of light.
Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, Dec 27th, as we illuminate the darkness with a grand Menorah lighting at the Petaluma River.
RSVP: www.JewishPetaluma.com/River
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While in NY, I will have the special opportunity to visit the Rebbe's gravesite where I will pray on behalf of my family and our community. Feel free to email me your name and prayer and I will include it. For a historical overview of the conference click here.
Tune in Live on Sunday, 2:30pm for the gala banquet, the culmination of the weekend.
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Dovid Bush
From the Rabbi's Desk
3,000!
It's Cold!
This week, the chill set in. The clocks are changed, the leaves are falling, sweaters and jackets fetched from the recesses of the closet.
If you think about it, it's kind of a downer (unless you're in Tahoe for the weekend). Granted, it's not a Siberian night or even the NY winter I grew up in. But what is the purpose of being in such a dark, cold place?
We can look to Abraham, the first Jew, for some inspiration. Living in the desert, far from the comforts of civilization, loneliness prevailed. Though he was in the heat of the sun, spiritually, it was a cold, desolate place. At that time, idolatry was rampant. He was alone in the world.
How did he deal with it? He opened up his tent. Abraham's tent was famously opened on all four sides so travelers could stop in. Hot and weakened from the arduous journey, he would invite them in, offer them a warm meal (no drive-through Mc'Donalds in the area), provide them with water to drink and bathe, and share with them his view on the world and his belief in G-d.
In a place of darkness, he created warmth. Warmth can really only be appreciated when contrasted with cold. Light with darkness. Luxury with scarcity.
Winter is the opportunity to light up the darkness of the world. Call a friend, help a neighbor, smile to a perfect stranger. Perhaps it's the very reason for the world to exist.
On that note: We are excited to roll out our Chanukah events for the season! The Holiday of Light.
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Dovid Bush
Election Thoughts
This week, more than 120 million Americans turned out to vote for the 45th president of the United States.
After a particularly divisive and contentious campaign, I was gratified to hear the unanimous call from the candidates, President Obama, and the media for unity, and that we need to work together to better our country. I only wish that this had been emphasized from the beginning of the campaigns. It's not easy to switch tracks from mudslinging to peaceful conversation. Though they say better late than never, wouldn't it have been nice if this message would have been promoted (and followed) some eighteen months ago?
As a Rabbi, I'm privileged to know many wonderful, smart, kind and generous individuals from both sides. We have much more in common than we tend to think. And for those areas where we don't see eye to eye? It's ok to disagree. It's the American way. It's the Jewish way. The greatest of sages, Shamai and Hillel, had diametrically opposed approaches to the Torah. They argued constantly, and yet remained the closest of friends. Disagree? Sure. Have a different opinion? We all do. But share it with love. And from time to time, give a listen. Connect with someone who has another point of view. Not to change them, but simply to hear and share.
In this age of social media, it's easy to get caught up in shouting our own opinions - in a way that we might never express ourselves in person. Sometimes, we need to put the phone away, close the laptop, and connect to each other on a real and meaningful level.
Let's take a lesson from our founding father (not George Washington), Abraham. In this week's Torah portion, he dangerously heads out save his nephew Lot from captivity. You can be sure that the two of them had very different worldviews, and yet, he was willing to risk his life for him. And he does it again in next week's Torah portion as he prays for the wicked citizens of Sodom to be saved.
The Talmud says that no two people have the same mind. Yet, we all share a common denominator as being created by G-d and thus share the same purpose; to make this world a better place to live in.
Let's take notice of what is engraved on our country's currency "E Pluribus Unum" - from many, One.
May G-d bless the UNITED states of America!
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Dovid Bush
Message from the Cubs
This week, America tuned in for baseball. Not just Cubbies fans or Clevelanders, but more than 40 million people were watching this epic battle. The highest baseball ratings in 25 years. And the game delivered in storybook fashion.
What was the secret to the Cubs' victory? The refusal to allow 108 years of history to hold them back. Instead, they chose to focus on simply playing baseball, the way it says in the book.
We can also experience moments when we feel like the cards are stacked against us. It can feel like we are drowning in the floodwaters of worry. Anxiety about business, family, or even one's own personal growth. It's like you are swimming against the tide, stuck beneath a relentless waterfall. It's an extended slump, where after going 0-4 for ten straight games you can question whether you even deserve to be a major leaguer.
How do we overcome this? How do we recover from this dark situation? Hashem tells Noach during the Great Flood "Bo el haTayva - come into the ark".
In Hebrew, Tayva has another meaning as well - it means "word". The way to recover from a personal flood is to re-enter into the words of prayer and Torah study. Not to focus on the negative that is enveloping us, instead to focus on increasing positive energy around us. To play for the potential of tomorrow, not to wallow in the misery of yesterday.
To do that, let's look into the book our coach gave us (Torah Studies is off to a great start - join us on Wednesday evenings!), reconnect with the basics, and just play good baseball.
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Tonight, we are celebrating Chabad of Petaluma's One Year Anniversary, as we look forward to a continuously brighter Jewish future in Petaluma. Please join us at 5:15pm, or stop in and sayL'chaim - to Life!
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Dovid Bush
Pictured: Daniel Eleff, a fellow Chabad guy and CEO of DansDeals.com, throws out the ceremonial first pitch of Game 7, all while proudly sporting the traditional Tzitzit under his team Jersey. Way to go!