Rabbi’s Blog
In Parashat Noach, the world has descended into chaos—violence, corruption, and moral decay. God decides to restart this Creation experiment and instructs Noach to build an ark, a vessel of refuge amid the rising floodwaters. Inside, every species has a place, every creature is sustained, and the storm outside cannot penetrate. For a time, the ark becomes the entire world—a fragile sanctuary of coexistence and care.
It is easy to read the ark as a story of survival, but it is also a story of community. What must life have been like inside that ark? How much work was required to keep all of the animals clean, fed, and satisfied? These tasks surely must have required an enormous amount of cooperation among its human passengers. Noach and his family had to tend to every living creature. What made the delicate infrastructure of the ark function was cooperation and responsibility. In that sense, it is the first kehilla kedosha—sacred community—built on service and shared purpose.
Our synagogues and communities today are like modern arks. The world outside can feel turbulent—politically, socially, even spiritually. Within our walls, we seek to create a space where all kinds of people can come together, where differences are not threats but sources of strength. Like the ark, a community must be carefully built, patiently maintained, and renewed through acts of shared responsibility, kindness and care.
The Midrash teaches that Noach’s righteousness lay not only in his faith, but in his constant service—feeding, cleaning, and tending to the animals day and night (Bereishit Rabbah 30:6; cf. Tanhuma, Noach 9). Holiness, then, was not found in grand gestures, but in daily acts of compassion. The same holds true for us. The integrity of our “ark” depends on the quiet, consistent work of those who show up, lend a hand, and help sustain others.
The strength of our community lies in its volunteers—the leaders and the helpers. Without your contributions, our ark would not float. Just take a look through today’s newsletter to see all the wonderful programs and events happening in our community. This is because of volunteers stepping forward, taking responsibility and caring for our community.
Together, through our shared acts of service and compassion, we ensure that our ark remains strong, welcoming, and filled with life.
Shabbat shalom.
