Rabbi Blog

Dear QJC Family,

The mishkan was the first iteration of the institutions the Jewish people have built for over 3,000 years to create a place where we can encounter Hashem. At the beginning of Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei, we are reminded that part of the way materials were collected to undertake this project was כל נדיב לבו - people volunteered to bring items. It was the spirit of volunteerism that enabled our success - so much so that they almost had too much!

We thankfully have a beautiful shul, so I'm not appealing for material to build a building. But I am appealing for extra commitments to make sure we have a minyan twice a day throughout the week. While we were able to successfully maintain our minyanim in the fall/winter, we hope to strengthen attendance this spring and summer.

The maintenance of daily minyanim is therefore essential to a shul’s vitality. This is in line with what I believe about Judaism in general - while the big moments are impactful, it is the daily and consistent commitments we make to Avodat Hashem that truly deepen and entrench that connection. While the pinnacle of the year in the Beit Hamikdash was the Kohein Gadol’s entrance into the Kodesh Kodashim, it was the sacrifice of the morning lamb and the evening lamb that truly kept the worship of the Beit Hamikdash grounded.

As the clock changes again and we begin to approach a new season and a new davening schedule, I wanted to take the opportunity to request as many men as possible to participate in “Jewry Duty.”

Just as members of a community make a financial commitment that ensures the sustainability of a shul, one can also sustain our shul by making the commitment of time to participate in the daily minyan. While realistically, not everyone can come every day, we can best ensure we will have a minyan every day by ensuring regular and advance commitments. We are asking all men who are able to volunteer to sign up for at least one minyan a week.

Some people may still not be able or comfortable coming to shul, and we understand that. We especially need help under those circumstances. With more people Baruch Hashem receiving the vaccine, we hope that we can strengthen our minyan even more. While we have been successful the last few months, we can still use extra assistance to ensure that even if some regulars are unable to attend, we still have a strong minyan. This is especially important as we often have members saying kaddish.

Please click here and fill out this form if there is even one minyan a week you are able to commit to attending!

While women are invited and encouraged to attend, there is no need to fill out this form in order to do so.

Please feel free to pass this along to anyone who you know who may be interested.

Beyedidut,

Judah Kerbel
Rabbi, Queens Jewish Center