This week I’m sharing words from a few of our third and fourth grade students at Wise Elementary school. The children are assigned the task of writing an introduction to a particular prayer in the morning service. As I led services this week, I was struck by the poignant and inspirational insights from these young teachers.
Liam’s words, below, reflected his understanding of the Barechu – the call to worship. Customarily, the first line: Barechu et Adonai Hamevorach! (“Bless Adonai, the One who is praised!”) is recited by the service leader. The congregation then responds with a knee bend and bow, saying: Baruch Adonai Hamevorach l’olam vaed (“Blessed is Adonai the One who is praised forever”). The response indicates their readiness to continue the service. Liam sees this call and response as a summons to be meaningfully present for others. Here is his beautiful interpretation:
“Heneini,” I am here. A heneini moment for me was when I saw a student walking to class, on a rainy day without a jacket or umbrella. I could tell that she was cold and going to get very wet. I walked up to her and held my umbrella over her head until she got to class. I believe that being Jewish and being part of a community means taking care of one another. When I chant the Barechu, it is a heneini moment to do all that we can do be thoughtful and caring. This is tikkun olam; this is taking care of our world.
— Rabbi Ron Stern