From the Desk of Jennifer Lorch Selco | Sr. Director of Jewish Life + Engagement
In this week’s Torah portion, Tetzaveh (Further Instruct), we learn that we should bring pure olive oil to light the Ner Tamid (Eternal Flame) above the ark. Aaron and his sons are selected to be priests. God tells Moses to make special clothes for the priests and Aaron and his sons are ordained and instructed in daily rituals.
In reference to the Ner Tamid, Rabbi Ana Bonheim teaches that “we Jews are custodians of a personal ner tamid. [This idea] is also reflected in a teaching from Itturei Torah: ‘Every Jew must light the ner tamid in his own heart.’ The ner tamid can thus be a link for us — from the biblical Tabernacle to the modern-day synagogue to our own internal worlds. It reminds us that each of us has our own ner tamid, an ever-present flame for us to access when we need it most, waiting for us to bring mitzvot into the world, limitless in its capacity for kindling and sharing.”
How beautiful an interpretation that each of us carries an internal light within us. The Eternal flame is always there, whether in times or normalcy or times of darkness (when perhaps we might feel it the most). May the eternal flame we each hold in our own hearts inspire us to bring goodness, joy and compassion into our world.
The Ner Tamid we learn of in parsha Tetzaveh symbolizes the divine presence of God, which, as this week’s reflection shares, also lives in each of us. Here at the Tucson J, our work is to tend that flame. Just as Aaron and the priests were called to sacred service, we too are called to show up for one another with care and intention. Through the programs we create, the connections we foster, and the moments of learning, wellness, celebration, and support that fill our campus, the J strives to be a place where every person’s inner light is nurtured and strengthened.
We ended the week last Friday with a sold-out Knish-Making Workshop with Jeremy Kneller-Hernandez, the chef and owner of Kneller’s Delicatessen. Forty community members gathered in our demo kitchen to shape, stuff, and taste delicious potato knishes, exploring their culinary skills and experiencing one of the best parts of Jewish culture: the food!
Over the weekend, as Title Sponsor, the J proudly hosted 520 Ignite: Tucson’s Leadership Experience for Young Professionals, in partnership with Tucson Young Professionals. Tucson J President + CEO, Todd Rockoff, who is a TYP mentor, welcomed the group—which included several of our own young leaders. Keynote Speaker, Andi Fetzner, PsyD, LPC, delivered the keynote session “Learning to Ride the Waves: Community, Care, and Resilience,” noting that her own professional journey began right here at the J as a Camp J counselor!
Off campus, 18 of our Stingrays Swim Team swimmers crushed it at the Regional Championship in Phoenix, finishing tenth overall with 65% of swims resulting in personal or season best times—talk about inner light! A highlight of the meet was Isadora, a first-time qualifier, dropping 30 seconds on her mile, resulting in a first-place finish and new Age Group State Championship cut! Mazel tov (congratulations) to the whole team for their effort and spirit throughout the entire season. Join us in cheering them on as they make their way to the State Championships this weekend!
Last evening, over 120 people joined us at the J for “Between the Lines: Author Insights + Book Talk” with local author and professor, Mimi Nichter about her newly published book, Hostage: A Memoir of Terrorism, Trauma, and Resilience. In conversation Amy Hirshberg Lederman, an award-winning author and Jewish educator, the audience learned about Nichter’s first-hand experience as a hostage on a plane hijacked by the Popular Liberation Front for the Liberation of Palestine in 1970, one of the most significant events in aviation history. The event, put on in partnership with the Weintraub Israel Center, did exactly what our Arts, Culture, and Community events seek to accomplish: amplify and give new perspective to important questions we face as a community, build bridges by exploring new ideas and shared stories, and foster meaningful connection.
As we enter Shabbat, may we continue, together, to kindle the ner tamid within our hearts and within our community. Shabbat Shalom.
Reminders, Resources + Learning
Each week we share resources for more learning:
This week’s resources:
- The Finest That We Have To Offer by Rabbi Abi Weber (T’rauh: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights)
- The Ultimate Destination Spot by Rabbi Guy Izhak Austrian (My Jewish Learning)
Last week’s resources:
- Parshat Terumah: The Mishkan: Some Assembly Required (BimBam)
- Making Free Will Offerings By Rabbi Denise Eger (My Jewish Learning)
Is there a topic you’d like to learn more about? Email Jenn Selco with requests.
