Rafal 95th
her mitzvah project, she raised funds for Love Never Ends the Alexa Rose Weiss Foundation, which helps families affected by pediatric brain tumors and childhood cancers. Callie Nan Weinbaum, daughter of Karen and Brandon Weinbaum, became a bat mitzvah at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Saturday,
Oct. 16, 2021. She is the grandchild of Esther and Neal Zalenko, and Sheila Weinbaum and James Prenzlauer. Callie is a student at Norup International School in Oak Park. She has been volunteering with a dog care facility to learn about working with dogs as part of her mitzvah project.
E
leanor Rafal, a resident at Hechtman Apts. II in West Bloomfield, recently celebrated her 95th birthday at a family picnic with her children, stepchildren, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Family came from around the country to honor this very special woman.
HOW TO SUBMIT ANNOUNCEMENTS Mazel Tov! announcements are welcomed for members of the Jewish community. Anniversaries, engagements and weddings with a photo (preferably color) can appear at a cost of $18 each. Births are $10. There is no charge for bar/bat mitzvahs or for special birthdays starting at the 90th. For information, contact Editorial Assistant Sy Manello at smanello@thejewishnews.com or (248) 351-5147 for information or for a mailed or emailed copy of guidelines.
SPIRIT
TORAH PORTION
Societal Power
O
ne of the central lessons of the past 18 months has been that positive societal outcomes can only be achieved through systemic, collective effort. While individual efforts may have a direct positive impact on individual lives, achieving a positive outcome for society is only possible when each individual acts in the best interest of society, and not just himself. In Vayera, we find a story which confirms this lesson: The choices we make as individuals have limited power if not reflected by society. Among the many moments of Abraham’s life captured in this portion, in the negotiation over and subsequent destruction of Sodom and Gemorah, we find a story which tragically confirms society’s power over the actions of any individual.
Leibovitch quotes the After delivering their mesMidrashic collection of Pirkei sage about the future arrival of D’Rabbi Eliezer, which emphaIsaac to Sarah, the two angels sizes this very question. The leave Abraham’s house and Midrash states, “They travel to Sodom, where issued a proclamation they are greeted at the in Sodom, saying: gates by Abraham’s nephEveryone who strengthew, Lot. Lot’s eager hospiens the hand of the poor tality to the angels stands and the needy with a in stark contrast to the loaf of bread shall be anticipated wickedness of Rebecca burnt by fire!” the city. Because Lot and Strobehn Leibovitch explains his family are only four, that Sodom’s wickedness Sodom will fall short of Parshat Vayera: was not just a reflection the 10 righteous people Genesis of the evil deeds comneeded to secure its sal18:1-22:24; II mitted by each citizen, vation, assuming more righteous citizens are not Kings 4;1-37. but of the way that somehow discovered. cruelty and indifference The question of the nature of were enshrined into the very Sodom’s wickedness permeates laws of the city. Sodom systemthis narrative. Could any place atically limited the ways its cititruly be so pervasively wicked zens could care for each other. as to deserve such complete Values of empathy, kindness, altruism and care for the destruction? vulnerable can only come to In a commentary, Nechama
define a society if those values are woven systematically into the very fabric of that society. Lot’s generous actions, however well intentioned, were not nearly enough to save a city intent on stamping out generosity, even after Abraham’s tenacious negotiating. The citizens of Sodom were irredeemable because they allowed their very system to become rotten, and that system had to be destroyed. We have the power to act together, each day, to embed our highest values and best inclinations into the very fabric of our society. That is what differentiates us from Sodom and makes us worthy of second chances in the face of our mistakes and imperfections. Rebecca Strobehn teaches Jewish Studies at the Frankel Jewish Academy. OCTOBER 21 • 2021
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