This week’s Torah portion, Parshat Mattot-Masei, brings the book of Bamidbar to a close. As we read of the details of the Israelites journey with 42 stops along the way, we appreciate just how much of the Torah is centered around a forward-looking journey. Indeed, that focus on the future is something that has always inspired me about the outlook of the Torah specifically, and of the Jewish people in general. Even while the Israelites may complain along the way about the food and the journey, they are able to rally as a people around the importance of a shared vision for the future.
I have been similarly impressed by the long history of forward thinkers among the leaders and members of the Hebrew Educational Alliance. The journey of the Alliance from West Colfax to Stuart Street to Ivanhoe Street was not without stops and starts, and yet it has always been one of forward-thinking plans, adaptation, and community building. I am proud of and grateful to all the visionaries before us and amongst us.
This past Sunday I reconnected with that sense of pride and appreciation for future thinkers at HEA when our Life and Legacy Society, HEAroes for the Future gathered at the home of Shelley and Ken Lazear to share brunch, reflections, and forward-thinking plans for the HEA. What an inspiration it was to look around and appreciate those families who have been able to see beyond the present moment to plant seeds for our future.
As one such member, Jeff Auerbach, reflected, “My hope is that by being part of the Life and Legacy committee, we will ensure that the HEA will be around for years to come. Just as the HEA was there for my dad when he graduated from the HEA Talmud Torah in 1946, God willing it will be available and accessible for all of our kids, grandkids and great grandchildren for years to come!”
We say “Amen” to that, Jeff. And we will continue saying “Amen” to one another’s prayers along the journey to secure a bright, joyful, and secure future for the kids, grandkids, and great children of HEA. May we all benefit from the blessings of a forward-thinking approach in our personal, professional, and spiritual lives.
Shabbat Shalom!
I personally want to extend the invitation to each of you to get involved with our Life and Legacy Committee and to have a conversation about ensuring the long-term impact of HEA for generations to come by including HEA in your will, trust, retirement account, or life insurance policy. I have a goal that together, we can reach 100 families committed to supporting the future of HEA by the 100th anniversary of our community. Please reach out to me at RabbiShulman@HEAdenver.org or (720) 244-3342 or to Carol Abrams, our Life and Legacy Committee Chair, at abrams.carol@gmail.com.
