A famous Talmudic Sage, Rabbi Tarfon instructed us in the importance of community involvement and societal responsibilities by saying: “You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.” The essence of what he was trying to teach is that we each have a responsibility to try to achieve the best for everyone by devoting some energy to serving our friends and neighbors, and in turn, ourselves.

How do we accomplish this and still have time for other pursuits? Quite simply by understanding that what is needed is a little bit here and a little bit there. We see this in so many ways right here in Sun Lakes.

There is Neighbors Who Care, an organization born out of the love and caring that is represented in the Faith community. The Interfaith Council dared to dream of a community that shared its belief in God’s goodness by showing that we could, as a society, come together to ensure that kindness and concern were part of who we are and will always be. For this we owe a great deal of gratitude to the congregations, pastors, and rabbis who came together to instill in us the obligation of love as determined by scripture: “Love thy neighbor as thyself.”

And there is our congregation. We are a group of people who come from all corners of this great land and even some from distant shores. We come together to share a common interest and a common understanding of our faith. Our paths may differ, but the important aspect of our togetherness is the destination. We are committed to each other because we know that we share a common destiny as well.

But for a congregation to survive it needs the involvement of its adherents. Not everyone is suited for service. Some of us are joiners but not doers. And that is fine because if everyone wanted to do something we would have to create things to do. No, we have plenty on our plate, we just need people to come forward to assist and relieve some of those who have always been “doing.”

Congregations just like communities depend upon volunteers. Neighbors Who Care is successful because it has a multitude of committed people eager and ready to lend a hand where needed. Our congregation became a reality because devoted residents of Sun Lakes saw a need for Jewish continuity and formed what is now called the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation. Some of those pioneers are still with us and we will always honor them. Those who are no longer with us are remembered on a plaque in the lobby of the All Faiths Chapel; their names forever enshrined in our memories.

But just as our community involvement requires a commitment of time and service, so does our congregation. We need volunteers to come forward and help us continue to offer the kind of spiritual environment that has caused us to grow year after year. More than that, we have witnessed the resurgence of antisemitism on a scale not seen before. Now, more than ever, we need each other to ensure our continuity. Together we form a bond of collective survival. I truly am dismayed to learn of so many of our Jewish friends and neighbors who choose not to affiliate for whatever reason. It is necessary to be counted among those who need and want this congregation to flourish and survive.

I see many faces at services, meet with so many for guidance and comfort, attend to the many in need of solace, and join with all who celebrate milestones and happy occasions. This is part of the journey of our lives together and the beginning of my twentythird year as your rabbi. Perhaps it is time to encourage our neighbors to be part of us, not just in times of need, but as a gesture of solidarity.

So, yes, we are not required to complete the work, but neither are we excused from lending a hand to ensure that the work continues.

Have a great summer. Come back refreshed and eager to join with us as we begin a New Year filled with all the dreams and desires that will continue to give us strength and resolve.