Written by: David Kaplan, Council of Congregations Representative for Rodef Shalom Congregation
Eight years ago, when I first became an active member of our Brotherhood, I was introduced to a core group of men who amazed me with their social awareness, their sense of purpose, their moral conscience, and their overwhelming need to serve the community. They embodied the phrase, “Think globally, act locally.” Among their many activities was membership on the Council of Congregations, a representative group of East End Cooperative Ministry. I was recently given the opportunity to carry on the tradition and serve as our EECM representative. I jumped at the chance to participate. I knew there was good work being done there and I wanted to contribute.
A while back, I stopped by EECM for a tour of the facilities. I knew that my morning was going to be educational. I did not expect it to be inspirational. My first glimpse was of the whirlwind offices, people scurrying in every direction. I sat with Rev Darnell Leonard who is responsible for Children and Youth Programs. Darnell is a very soft-spoken but powerful man. He has an obvious connection to the children he serves, over 900 at-risk elementary, middle and high school students. Darnell spoke of his activities with the school board and city government trying to get a stronger voice and more attention for his kids. They need all the help they can get in their part of our world that people love to forget.
The next stop was at the Orr Compassionate Care Center to meet Paul DeWalt who directs the Homeless Programs which include five separate facilities that provide interim shelter and housing for over 100 people on any given day. Paul is an incredibly busy yet patient man putting out a seemingly endless stream of emergency flare-ups ranging from facilities issues to personnel matters. Paul is here because he cares.
The last stop on my tour was at the EECM Soup Kitchen to meet Jim Hart who oversees all Hunger Programs. Jim has three programs to orchestrate and integrate: The Soup Kitchen, Meals on Wheels and the Food Pantry. Jim is a master juggler and a magician who manages to see that all of these efforts come together each day, managing a constant flow of perishable foods and eager volunteers who make it all work.
My friends, this is where the rubber truly meets the road. I am excited about the work being done and I am pleased to know that Rodef Shalom has long been a supporter of EECM and its programs. We have history as a congregation of providing financial, material, and physical help for many aspects and programs. As I talk to my friends and colleagues about the many faces of EECM, I am delighted to find a well of support that is all around us. During these times of great difficulty discerning direction on a world stage and ferreting through the propaganda and position statements all around us, it is nice to have an area of my life that is clearly defined, with no ambiguity or hesitation. My moral compass is perfectly clear. By helping those around us, we build a stronger community, a stronger nation, and a more peaceful world, person by person.
0 comments:
Post a Comment