This parashat contains the sole Genesis Bible story I never learned in Religious School. In fact, I never learned that Jacob had a daughter, only four wives who gave birth to those important twelve sons who became namesakes for the twelve tribes.
I grew up as a classical Reform Jew. My parents attempted to consolidate my father’s Orthodox background with my mother’s Reform Judaism. That translated to my brother going to the shul while I was sent to the Temple.
I first discovered Kutz Camp as an adult! In retrospect, I think I would have been a perfect candidate to become a Kutz camper back in my younger days, but somehow that opportunity didn’t present itself then. So, I’ve had to make up for lost time over the past several years. On my first visit to Kutz in 1988, I was District #5 President for the then National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods (NFTS), today WRJ. Most years, the WRJ District Presidents’ Council holds its retreat/annual May meeting at Kutz. The women appreciate the relaxed atmosphere and, particularly, their interaction with its staff.
Last month, I received an email from WRJ inviting me to share my understanding of this week’s Parashat Chayei Sarah. I began my research, hoping to uncover a mesmerizing commentary. I knew that many of you were knowledgeable about the early Genesis stories. In Chayei Sarah, for example, we learn that Abraham buys burial ground from his Hittite neighbors, land that gives us Jews a claim to our promised homeland; we meet Rebekah at the well and she becomes Isaac’s bride. I read, I studied, and I reflected. What I felt was a deep tug to travel in an entirely different direction. I finally realized that I wanted, or needed, to share the tale of a contemporary matriarch who was intimately connected to the Reform Movement throughout her 92 years. I needed to tell you her story. Her name was Eleanor ‘Ellie’ Schwartz z''l. Ellie, who died September 18th just two months shy of her 93rd birthday, was the second Executive Director of NFTS (now WRJ), serving from 1976-1992.
"Bo...Bo...boker tov...Bo…Bo…boker tov to Sarah! Bo...Bo...boker tov...Bo..Bo...boker tov to Dave!" And the cheer circulated around the room from one kid to another for five minutes. What did it accomplish? The fun-filled cheer gathered community into one whole. It gained momentum and volume as it progressed. It built connections and smiles. It caught attention. It worked! My Thursday morning initiation into Kutz Camp life began with this cheer and moved smoothly into morning services. The kids were ready for worship.