Shabbat Message: The oneness
that is greater than the sum of its parts

Posted on by Reb Moshe

 Read the complete Message (including pictures & announcements) 

Dear CJC Members & Friends,

One thing I love about Jews on the Coastside is that we are eclectic, representing a diverse range of backgrounds and Jewish identities. Some share traditional identities, driving up to San Francisco or over the hill to connect with Chabad or the two Conservative synagogues in San Mateo County. Others are completely secular, or identify elsewhere on a very broad religious and cultural spectrum.

We have Israelis with close ties to Israel, and Jews who are Anti-Zionists, or who are at least ambivalent about their Jewish identities for a variety of reasons. Yet, in spite of this lack of uniformity, even when we don’t agree on much at all, we share a common identity with very deep roots that are worth nourishing.

Based on a recent demographic study, there are about 30,000 Jews in San Mateo County. I estimate that about 1,200 of us live on this side of the hill. That’s only 4% of the county’s Jewish population, which is only 4% of San Mateo’s total population, which means that in this spacious and sparsely populated region, there is ample room for our Jewish roots to expand, to deepen and, in turn, nourish this beautiful place we call home.

As the rabbi of our unique and eclectic coastal community, I’ve tried – in my own unique and eclectic ways – to strengthen the sense of connection and community that’s possible. I’ve had some success but, alas, there are many Jews on the Coastside I have never met and quite a few others whom I’ve met only once or twice and rarely, if ever, seen again.

What I glean from all of this is that, for my own peace of mind, it helps for me to let go of assumptions and expectations and, instead, embrace an attitude of acceptance and appreciation for what we have. If people want to connect, they will find us and join us – even if what I have to offer is not exactly their cup of tea.

This will be especially the case in two weeks when we gather to celebrate Rosh Hashanah. With such an eclectic group of Jews, some will feel there’s too much Hebrew while others will feel there’s not enough. Some prefer one style of worship while others are turned off by any style of worship. Some enjoy a communal ambiance while others prefer to be in solitude, like on a beach or in the redwoods.

I will remind myself then, as well as tonight, that a service is not a performance for passive observers to either enjoy or, at best, tolerate. Instead, it’s an opportunity for anyone to participate in whatever way they wish, and to be present in a way that is open and receptive to what is, without judging or labeling.

There are many diverse components to Jewish identity, but I believe this is its most essential: to be present to a multitude of experiences and influences, within and around us, as manifestations of a oneness that is greater than the sum of its parts; a oneness that some of us experience, with awe and wonder, as no less than Divine.

In such an eclectic and agricultural region as the Coastside, our service tonight will be on a farm in a beautiful valley at the end of a two-mile dirt road. (RSVP to Brianne for the location.) Among those present will be folks of all ages from the diverse spectrum I described earlier. Most have been Jews their entire lives, and some have been Jews for only a short time, but they will all be there to enjoy the experience of connection and community that’s possible.

Most of all, they will be open and receptive to the joyful and evocative music led by the Coastside Kehillah Band, and to the communal ambiance reflecting and honoring the oneness that is greater than the sum of its parts; the oneness that some of us experience, with awe and wonder, as no less than Divine.

~ Shabbat Shalom, Reb Moshe

Read the complete Message (including pictures & announcements) 

Recent Shabbat Messages:




CJC will never share or sell this information.