In Jewish tradition, nothing is by chance.
Everything is by divine providence. Take the Purim story as an example. There was an incredible amount of heavenly orchestration for everything to work out the way it did. Esther being queen. Mordechai overhearing the plot to murder the king. The king's sleepless night. And that's the Purim message; to recognize the miraculous within the ordinary.
In the Torah we have been reading about the building of the original Shul (synagogue) - it was the Tabernacle, the traveling temple. This became the prototype for the future Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Shuls across the globe still bear many resemblances to the original.
In the Holy of Holies was an ark with the tablets. In Synagogues, there's an ark with a Torah scroll. The Eternal Lamp represents the Menorah, that was never fully extinguished. The curtain on the ark (called Parochet) similar to the curtain that partitioned the Holy of Holies from the rest of the Sanctuary.
And then there is the matter of how it happened. They did a fundraising campaign. And the Jewish community showed up. They brought gold, silver, and copper. Expensive wools, and beams of Acacia wood. Precious gems and mirrors for the wash basin. They came with such speed and alacrity, so much enthusiasm for this project, that Moshe had to call off the campaign.
This week, our community, followed in this tradition. When we announced the #NextLevel campaign for the new center, an amazing outpouring of generosity ensued. I'd like to say that it was unprecedented, but it was. Perhaps it is wired in our DNA, inspired by our ancestors in the desert. And while we still have a wish list of items for the new center (coming soon), the lease is signed, the foundation is set for a bright Jewish future.
One thing is for sure, when the Jewish community bands together, we can accomplish amazing things together. So thank you to all who of you who participated and made it happen!
Now, please join us, as we march together into the #NextLevel with a Grand Opening on Sunday, March 18th.
Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom and Happy Purim!
ב"ה