Congregation Albert Brotherhood - January 2006
Brotherhood News
I'm writing this after just returning from the URJ/WRJ Biennial Convention in Houston. I accompanied my wife to the WRJ Biennial where she was a Sisterhood delegate. My experience turned out to be much more than I could ever have imagined.What was the highlight for me? Was it studying, praying, dining and visiting with my wife and fellow Sisterhood delegates Marcia Rosenstein and Michelle Fromm-Lewis? Was it the surprise of running into my cousin from Dallas as he was being installed as an officer on the URJ Board? Visiting with and listening to the golden voice of our past cantor Don Croll? Shabbat services filled with wonderful music? URJ President Eric Yoffie's timely sermon discussing Biennial initiatives? Opportunities to meet and talk with several North American Federation of Temple Brotherhood officers and Board members? Watching over 100 NFTY kids sing and dance through the festivities of Shabbat?
One might be surprised to learn that the highlight was not even a part of the Biennial. Sunday morning, as I waited for my wife to complete her final session, I walked to a nearby McDonald's for breakfast. It was there that the message of the Biennial really hit me. I witnessed something incredible yet simple. A young man of thirtysomething approached a dirty, ragged homeless man at one of the tables. He asked, "You look hungry, would you like something to eat? How about an Egg McMuffin, some eggs, or something else?" He then brought the homeless man a large bag filled with breakfast items. He said, "I hope this is enough. Here's a cup; you might want a soda later." The man hurried off with a smile on his face.
As Jews, we have a responsibility to repair the world, one hungry homeless man at a time.
Jeff Paul, Brotherhood President ()
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