D'var Torah

Last month, I had the opportunity to travel to Buenos Aires and experience Jewish life there through the JDC, or American Joint Distribution Committee, which is an organization that provides support to Jewish communities around the world in times of need or challenge. I got to go on this trip, which was for clergy students, recently ordained clergy, and young Jewish professionals, because of a wonderful fellowship I participated in during my time at HUC-JIR. This JDC fellowship enabled me to travel to Jewish communities all over the world, I hope I’ll have the chance to tell you all about all of them some time! But today, I’ll focus on Buenos Aires…

Weeks after my trip ended, my experience in Buenos Aires is still popping to my mind almost every day. I had no idea what to expect about Jewish life in Argentina- I must admit, I hadn’t done a ton of research. But as I explored this amazing city, I fell in love with the unique and beautiful Jewish community that had been established there.

During my jam-packed eight days in Buenos Aires, there were several highlights. I had the chance to explore many stunning synagogues, help third graders practice their English and Hebrew at one of the thirty Jewish day schools in Buenos Aires, sing Yiddish songs (and LOTS of other songs!) at senior centers, and even lead services at a local conservative synagogue, where the only shared language I had with the community was the prayer book. My favorite experience, though, was each evening, when we would be invited to various Jewish spaces to meet and mingle with other young Jewish professionals and leaders in the Buenos Aires community. We enjoyed meals together, played games, sang niggunim, and exchanged ideas. We enjoyed being together so much that we made plans to meet up outside of our scheduled programming!

In a place thousands of miles away, I was easily able to bond with these other young Jewish leaders. It wasn’t because we were exactly the same- we found so many commonalities, and also so many differences. But in hearing the ways they supported their community, cared for their Jewish family, related to Israel, and saw their futures, I found myself inspired, challenged, and excited, to have this chance to share ideas, ask questions, learn from each other, and in doing so, strengthen our global Jewish community as a whole.  

In the opening words of this week’s Torah portion, B’haalot’cha, God commands Moses to share with Aaron how the lamps in the tent of meeting should be lit by the priests. I believe that as modern Jews, we are each like the priests, lighting the lamps of Judaism in our communities, in literal and figurative ways. In order to build up our personal Jewish lives, and our communal Jewish lives, and keep the lamps glowing brightly, it’s important to learn from the experience of Jews in other places. It is so special to be in partnership with Jewish communities around the world- in Israel, and in other places in the diaspora and see how each person lights the lamps of their own Judaism, so we can grow and nourish each other in times of joy, and in times of need.

I invite you to learn more about the JDC and their work in Argentina here, and to find somewhere, near, or far, where you can explore a new Jewish community and be inspired. Shabbat Shalom and Am Yisrael Chai.

Cantor Sydney Michaeli (She/Her/Hers)
Assistant Cantor