T ORAH P ORTION
Sarah’s Impact Still Felt Today
BY RABBI TSURAH AUGUST
Parshat Chayei Sarah
OH, MOTHER SARAH!
During this time of high
anxiety in our country, especially
the weeks leading up to the
election, I have been calling
upon my ancestors for love and
guidance. I do not know their
names beyond fi ve or six gener-
ations. Yet I call upon them,
trying to reach them through
the veils of time. I need them.

As I sat down to fi nalize
my thoughts on the day before
our presidential election, my
mind took a diff erent turn
from what I had planned to say.

I found myself calling out to
Mother Sarah, for her love and
guidance, as I faced my fear
of having such an uncertain
future. Why you, Sarah?
We read so little of you in
Torah, yet you have inspired
volumes of midrashim, poems,
songs, chants, niggunim,
rituals, dance, stories — and
names. Many Jewish women
have been given your name,
which has been passed down to
our female off spring for gener-
ations upon generations. I, too,
bear your name. Your name
gives honor to many Jewish
institutions and organizations.

We revere you.

It is fi tting that this week’s
parshah bears your name,
although it takes place aft er
your death, opening with your
burial and mourning. Shiva.

Th e time when we remember
our deceased through prayers,
rituals and stories of their lives.

Chayei Sarah. Th e Life of Sarah.

During the period of
mourning for Sarah, did
FOLLOW THE
JEWISH EXPONENT
AND NEVER
MISS A STORY.

#JEWISHINPHILLY L
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NOVEMBER 12, 2020
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Nov. 13
Nov. 20
4:28 p.m.

4:23 p.m.

Abraham and Isaac share
stories extolling only your
virtues? Or did they, like
Torah does, also share stories
of your anger, jealousy, your
“tests”? What are the stories
that Abraham and Isaac didn’t
tell, didn’t know? Th e stories of
how you endured, and endured
and endured. Th e stories that
made you a woman who could
laugh at Divine Proclamations,
instead of cursing the timing.

You were not a saint, Sarah.

Th at is why it is you to whom I
call out, in my fear, my anger,
my lack of faith — I feel you
know me. Empathize with me
in my angst in this tumultuous
time. Have compassion for me
and all people facing an uncer-
tain world, as you did.

In the bereavement group
I facilitated the day aft er the
election, thinking of you,
Sarah, I asked the participants
to bring one of their ancestors
to mind, someone whom they
felt gave them a strength that
was needed in this tense time,
and then to share it in the form
of a blessing. Such guidance,
kindness, comfort and vision
poured forth! And you, Sarah,
your blessing was there, too.

Th ere, not just coming from
you, but through you, as it has
done for millennia.

Sarah, Mother Sarah, your
life continues in our lives — not
only in our creative midrashim,
but in our bodies, minds and
spirits. In our ability to laugh.

Laugh through tears and heart-
ache, disbelief and joy. Laugh
for the sheer pleasure of being
alive. Your life continues in
our aspirations, our grandest
achievements and in our
failures, our anger, jealousy,
NewsBriefs Havurah
District of Georgia, Evans
accused Franklin of fraud and
conspiracy for withholding
$3.3 million of the $4.5 million
raised. Franklin, who leads the
14,000-member Free Chapel
church of Gainesville, Georgia,
denied the claims.

Th e dispute began when
Evans received a list of
campaign donors
from Franklin that reported $3.3
million more in donations than
Evans thought were raised.

Franklin contended that
there was a verbal agree-
ment where Evans would
get $1 million for causes of
his choosing, with the rest
remaining with Franklin to
promote his own causes and
pay expenses.

Franklin said he gave Evans
$1.2 million as a goodwill
gesture. ●
Compiled by Andy Gotlieb
Over the past 50 years, the
members have come to regard
each other as extended family.

Th eir children, though grown,
will still come back to visit and
attend the occasional event.

Like most families who
spend decades in each other’s
company, disagreements
among members are inevitable.

Maintaining cohesion in the
polarized political environ-
ment of the past four years has
been diffi cult, but the group
made a collective decision to
prioritize their relationships
over the news (no political
discussions allowed.)
Member Luci Stroiman said
the group has learned that
disagreements do not neces-
sarily equate disunity, as long
as everyone respects each
other. “We listen to each other. spanzer@jewishexponent.com;
Th at’s the key, we really do 215-832-0729
Continued from Page 7
JEWISH EXPONENT
Continued from Page 4
despair, confusion. In our
determination, our endurance
to take the next step. And the
next. And the next. For Life!
Chaya Sarah: Th ank you
for answering in me this week
helping me take the next step.

And the next. ●
Rabbi Tsurah August is the chaplain
for Jewish Family and Children’s
Service of Greater Philadelphia.

The Board of Rabbis of Greater
Philadelphia is proud to provide
diverse perspectives on Torah
commentary for the Jewish
Exponent. The opinions expressed
in this column are the author’s own
and do not refl ect the view of the
Board of Rabbis.

listen to each other,” she said.

Members have learned to
adapt to each other’s needs,
from learning how to cook
kosher vegetarian dishes to
accommodate dietary restric-
tions to fi nding an accessible
tashlich site for aging members.

Th ey have also acted as a
support network for each other
through all of life’s milestones.

Member Evelyn Goldberg,
who joined the chavurah
40 years ago, said the group
encouraged her creativity and
boosted her self-confi dence.

She was bolstered by members’
support when she decided to
go to nursing school in her
mid-30s. “Th ey were so supportive
of me, and several people even
came to the graduation,” she
said. “I could actually feel it,
spiritually and physically, that
they were on my side and that
they were helping me.” ●
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM