Dozens of calls every day. 90% are from India or Nigeria. Free healthcare upgrades, refunds for purchases I never made, and the list of scams goes on. 
But I always try to answer the phone. There's always that one phone call that makes all the difference. A couple getting married in beautiful Sonoma County (they recently welcomed a beautiful baby), a traveler looking for a local Jewish connection while they're here for a weekend, or someone looking to upgrade their home security system with a Mezuzah.
This week, there were two that stood out.
One was Harley Davidson rider who is miraculously beating doctor's expectations. He wanted to plug in. Both his iPhone and his soul - we wrapped Tefillin on his tatted arm and recited the Shema together.
The other was funeral. A man I never met. A family I didn't know. Yet a Mitzvah just the same. Meeting his lovely family members and learning about his life and legacy was the beginning of a lasting connection.
And a special group of volunteers joined together to facilitate his burial in the most pristine and dignified way - the Chevra Kadisha (Holy Burial Society) of Sonoma County, performing these last rites for a fellow Jew. Assisting with the deceased is called Chesed shel Emet, True Kindness, as nothing is expected or possible in return.
It's time like these when I am reminded of the value and the immense satisfaction in being kind and compassionate to others.
We just entered into a period on the Jewish calendar when the 3rd holy temple was destroyed. Reason given? Baseless hatred (perhaps I'll share that story another week). The remedy, and how we each make this world Hashem's holy temple, a sacred and light-filled space? By countering with baseless love and kindness. By being caring and compassionate to others for absolutely no reason at all.
Now that's a beautiful opportunity worth answering hundreds of scam calls.