Clergy Blog

Shalom Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El Family,

We have been in Wynnewood for less than a week but I can already tell this community takes the mitzvah of welcoming guests seriously. Maimonides says that “hospitality towards guests is greater than receiving God’s presence” and as my family moves in you have helped us understand this through your help and support.

The mitzvah originates, according to the Talmud, with Abraham. He stood in his doorway to search for potential guests, he ran to greet them, offered them food and water and then walked with them on their way for a bit. As you have been so amazing at welcoming us I want to welcome all of you to our home (once the boxes are unpacked) and back to shul. Like Abraham I will try to stand in the doorway to meet people, I want to join you for  shared food and drink or we can go for a walk together. I want to meet everyone, hear your stories and dream about the future of the community together.

Please join us this Friday evening for a festive service outside and Shabbat morning for our first of hopefully many many mornings of worship and study together. Children are welcome! My two little ones will be there and they are in the market for friends.

If you can’t come this week, there are plenty of classes, concerts and opportunities for us to get to know one another as the summer progresses.

Thank you again for all you have done to help make our transition a smooth one and I can’t wait to begin the work ahead with all of you.

Yours,

Rabbi Ethan Witkovsky