It was interesting to review our shul’s bylaws this weekend and be reminded that part of being a member of the church is giving of your time and talent, not just financial support.
As a teacher of the bar and bar mitzvah kids, I’m already doing that to some degree, so that’s a relief, but we have a lot of members and a shortage of volunteers, so it was nice to have a reminder that all of us could probably do a little more than we’re currently doing… even a bar/bat mitzvah teacher like myself.
I don’t think anyone has meant to slip into casual participation; I think it’s human nature. But I’m glad we addressed the issue and encouraged all members to do more. Otherwise we might as well put blinds over our stained glass and close up shop; when a community stops helping each other, it’s headed that way anyway.
Tags: bar mitzvah, bat mitzvah, blinds, stained glass