A Special Volunteer!
Last Saturday I had the honor of seeing one of my former students become a bar mitzvah. It was especially meaningful because of the close relationships I have with so many members of his family, particularly with his grandmother Judy (Gunga, as she is known), who is one of In the Gardens’ main volunteers. And yet it was even more meaningful because this gentleman has been spending the last few months here working with In the Gardens for his community service project, a part of this rite of passage.
I was not only thrilled to see this young man, Noah, so composed and centered as he led the congregation in prayer and chanting of Judaism’s sacred texts, but I was pleased and surprised to hear his remarks about his volunteer work with us and how he connected it to the sacred text he had chanted. The text was about Samson, and Noah’s words were about power and how easy it is to misuse it, a theme that is ripe in today’s world. He talked about Darth Vader, a character we can relate to, as one who was so seduced by power as to become subsumed by its darkness.
Noah later related this idea to food and its distribution. I imagine that most, if not all of us, would believe that every human being has the right to enough food, and enough fresh and healthy food. Noah noted the fact that areas of food insecurity, in which grocery stores are sparse enough to be beyond walking distance of a town’s residents, many of whom cannot afford a car – are in part due to grocery chains not wanting to take the economic risk to put their stores in impoverished communities.
To add to this, there are extensive data about the connection between food supply in the world and the power of governments and big businesses. A few years ago I read of the escalating suicide rates of farmers in India due to the monopoly on genetically manufactured seeds. Being unable to continually afford the price of sterile seeds season after season, these once successful farmers moved beyond despair to fatalism. What an inhuman expression of this dark power.
Working to use our power for good was Noah’s point, recognizing that while we may sometimes find ourselves tempted, holding fast to our values will help us make ethical choices for ourselves and others. Noah wanted to help restore balance. He used his power by giving time and energy to diminish hunger in the local community. We are so happy he did. Noah, your help was amazing and we thank you.
We still have many opportunities available for volunteering this season. Whether you’d like to come in for an afternoon or a day, or want to complete community service hours for your school, or want to make it your summer project to make a difference, we are here. Just reach out to us by email or Facebook and let us know of your interest. And if you’d like to join in our next Volunteer Day, this Sunday, June 11 from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, please RSVP at volunteersignup.org.
If you don’t have time to volunteer, but are in the position to support our work with your financial contribution, we will be grateful for that as well. Click Donate in the menu above.
May your days be sweet as spring approaches summer.
Blessings,
Rabbi Robin Damsky