At Chabad Israel Center, everyone has a “shul agenda”. Some show up to pray, some revel in the tantalizing Kiddush spread served at the Marriott hotel, while others are inspired by the sense of deep unity among congregants of our shul. Many can hardly wait to drink in the Rabbi’s sermon, while their friends prefer to hum along to our chazan’s catchy tunes.
But for Yair Morgenstern, a native of Petach Tikva, Israel, davening in shul was simply a matter of bridging a gap. Yair was raised in a secular home where shul attendance occurred on rare occasion, least most on a regular Shabbat. In his home country, surrounded by friends and family, the lack of observance was not deemed problematic in the slightest, connection to Judaism could be remedied merely by breathing the air of the holy land. Once Yair relocated to New York however, he needed to find a new way to feel Jewish, so joining a shul seemed the perfect solution.
Yair originally planned to move to the States for a period of four years. He began frequenting services at our shul in the Marriot Hotel, often helping to complete a minyan during the days of our humble beginnings.
It happened around eight months ago while chatting with friends during the Kiddush. Yair was enjoying the delectable cholent when his friend introduced him to Jane. They immediately hit it off.
Jane Abrahim grew up in Kitchener, Canada and had also recently joined our shul. On that particular Shabbat morning, she was tired and didn’t really feel up to sitting in shul. At the last minute she figured she’d go anyway. Great move, because at the Kiddush, she and Yair engaged in conversation-- the first of many -- as the pair soon became a couple. Over the next few months they attended shul events and programs together, culminating this past Shabbat when Yair stood up to announce their engagement.
Wow. Talk about the side benefits of coming to shul!
Interestingly, the Parsha that we read on the Shabbat of the announcement was Vayakhel Pikudei. The Torah portion details the precise commandments relating to the building of the Mishkan whose purpose was to create a home for G-d. The classic wish we bestow upon a couple embarking on a marriage is that the consequent home that they establish together should welcome G-d and embrace Judaic values. While others may view three as company, Judaism promotes the invitation of a third party into a marriage. For the Jewish union is a unique one, liable to dissolve without the equal contribution of man, wife and G-d.
The idea is demonstrated in the Hebrew terminology of the words, "איש" and "אשה" – man and woman. Both words contain an aleph and a shin. The remaining two letters, yud and hey, spell out "י-ה", the name of G-d. When a union incorporates G-d, the marriage is by far more likely to thrive and succeed. If on the other hand, G-d is shunned, what remains are aleph and shin, spelling "אש" – an all-consuming fire of destruction and grief.
Yair, Jane and G-d will G-d willing be marrying this summer. We wish them much luck in their future endeavours and a meaningful life of joy and commitment. May they build an eternal edifice together, a home that will radiate with the warmth and light of our cherished tradition.
Thanks to our editor Efrat Schochet
Marty wrote...