When we repeat the Amidah prayer in our daily services, there is one particular section in which the entire congregation is required to speak aloud, and not just the prayer leader. That section begins with the words “modim anachnu lach” meaning “we thank you.” Why repeat this section aloud and not others? Because this blessing expresses gratitude for God as the bedrock of our lives, and gratitude is at the essence of what it means to be a Jew. Indeed, the ability to express gratitude for God and God’s creations is so core to who we are as a people that the very word for our religion, Judaism (Yehudah), means “thank God.”
But it’s not enough to feel thankful. Rather, Judaism requires us to express our gratitude. The Hebrew root of modim and Yehudah (י.ד.ה.) implies both gratitude and acknowledgement simultaneously. What a gift to all of us to receive a holy nudge to be open and expressive with our appreciation! For after all, how many times have we felt appreciation for someone’s deeds or words, and yet we did not express it?
With that in mind, I would like to invite our community to join us tomorrow at synagogue in the Traditional Service or Shir Hadash to communally express our gratitude for the service of Laura Intfen, our CEO, who will be moving on from her position as of May 1st.
Throughout her time at HEA, Laura has led with her values, including modeling the very act of sharing gratitude to all in our community who contribute on volunteer and professional levels. In fact, one of the factors that drew me to HEA as a prospective hire last year was Laura’s warmth as well as the culture of gratitude that she has set for all around her. Since joining the HEA team, it has been a privilege for me, as for all our staff, to get to work with Laura as a colleague, mentor, and friend.
So from all of us, Laura, I want to share aloud today, tomorrow, and every day “todah rabbah” - thank you for your dedicated service, for your tremendous leadership, and for your warm, unwavering smile.
I hope you’ll join me in thanking Laura aloud this Shabbat and in the coming week. And then, as we do after reciting the words, “modim anachnu lach,” I pray you’ll give yourself the opportunity to let those words of gratitude sink into your own heart and soul and elevate the deep well of gratitude in you.
