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HEBREW TABERNACLE CONGREGATION December 19, 2008 D’var Torah
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Henry
Grayman, 8th grade student at PS/IS 311 Amistad Dual Language School, was
called to the Torah as a BarMitzvah on Saturday, December 19, 2009. Henry, an
active teen, is known to many in the HT community as the ‘kid who loves to
negotiate rummage sale bargains in English and Spanish!’ He loves his pooch,
Buck, theYankees, building his fledgling business, ‘Kid Jobs’, Hebrew School,
and sampling Susan Blum’s food at any given chance! Mazel Tov Henry!
* * * * *
This week’s Parashah, Parshat Miketz,
focuses on Joseph's interpretation of dreams. In Egypt, over three thousand
years ago, Pharaoh is troubled by two dreams that seem to be similar to each
other. In the first dream, seven sleek and fat cows are on the riverside eating
grass; seven thin and ugly cows are nearby. The seven thin and ugly cows eat the seven healthy ones. In the
second dream, seven ‘‘ears of grain'' appear, and they are good, and plump.
Seven sick ears of grain appear and devour the seven plump ears of grain.
(pause) Pharaoh, in his wisdom, understands that these dreams have deeper
meaning, and seeks the consul of magicians and wise men. They can’t help him,
but he learns of Joseph of Canaan, a Hebrew prisoner known for his ability to
interpret dreams.
Joseph foretells of seven years of
plenty, followed by seven years of famine. He knows that this is his big
chance, and GOES FOR IT! Joseph will be free and become powerful, by creating a job for himself from a
community crisis that will take place seven years later. Joseph tells Pharaoh
that he needs a crisis manager; someone to oversee a plan for the future. By
doing this, he creates a future for the people of Egypt, and for himself. This
story teaches us the importance of looking forward. We must all plan ahead.
Today, in our area, basic community
needs are covered. But, others on our planet aren't as fortunate. One of our
neighbors is in Africa working on The
Alliance Project, a program that teaches local farmers sanitation, how to
keep the food safe, and how to maintain the growth of food. This organization
is working to make a difference in Africa. A need has been identified, and
creative people are working together to find a solution.
A few years ago, my Mom went to the
Sukau Rainforest in Sabah, Borneo. They were in the middle of a drought, so
people chipped in to fund rooftop rain barrels to avoid similar trouble in the
future (Mom's rain tower is named for ''10
Canadians and one New Yorker''!).
Time Management expert, Alan Lakein,
writes that: ‘‘planning is bringing the future into the present, so you can do
something about it now''. I
will be part of that world. Like Joseph, I
will plan for the future.
To begin, I will work toward a healthier
environment.
In Cornwall, NY, there is a ‘‘School in
the Forest'' program at Black Rock Forest Consortium. The program teaches
children about caring for the environment.
After my first visit in the 4th grade,
we were told that my school could no longer afford to send us to this wonderful
place. So, with good friends, we started a charity bike ride, raising $10K;
enough to get all of my classmates back to the forest in 2006. Since then,
other people have worked to make the program bigger and better –– they've
raised generous donations to save the program. Now called ‘‘The Forest Ride'',
it has raised over $80K in three years; enough to keep the program alive. Each
year, I help with ride operations, so that the children in my school, and
around NY, have the chance to learn about our amazing environment.
Next, I will help to build a different
kind of community.
Someone I love very much suffers from
disabling depression. I see this person working and living in a place that
offers, with help, a normal, happy life.
Today, there are plans in the works to
develop a neighborhood within a neighborhood –– a place that joins the mentally
and physically disabled with the larger community; no one feels alone, and
everyone is respected as a special person. With the help of family and friends,
we will create a place that brings people together in a neighborhood where they
help each other, and help the world.
My road to Bar Mitzvah has been an
awesome experience, with so many
friends helping me to reach this point……
To my amazing, inspiring and grownup tutor, Katherine Muller, our mentor
and cheerleader, Connie Heymann, and Hebrew school teacher (and almost Rabbi),
Neal Hirsch… you’ve kept me interested; you’ve kept me on track; you’ve given
me the perfect start to life as a responsible Jewish adult.
My Hebrew School pals have been terrific
(we've landed in trouble a few times, and grown together a lot.
Thanks for being there with me).
To Rabbi Gale and Cantor Pincus…many
thanks for guiding me and making sure that my work was on time and on key! Their help with my speech
and pronunciation really made the difference. Thank you . . .
My Grandmother Cele Grayman, would have
been 104 this year – you almost made it
to my Bar Mitzvah, but it’s okay - you live here, in my heart.
And,
my parents…… a kid learns by example, so I must have a great life ahead!
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