A BETTER PLACE

By Rabbi Malinger

Dear Friends,

As a religious leader in our community these past 24 years, I am grateful for both business and community leaders for we work together in partnership to strengthen all of our lives.

I appreciate those who touch our lives. I appreciate those who teach by the way they live.

I appreciate the blessings we enjoy including health when we have it and people who pay attention to us when we do not. I appreciate the gift of life itself.

The prophet Zachariah declares that humanity will actively draw together when the messianic era begins. The Sages of Jewish Tradition teach that though religious heritages will continue to connect to each other and to God in their own way, all will come together to offer expressions of thanksgiving and appreciation. It is the human thing to do. Whether we are at an inter-faith gathering or involved in an intra-faith activity, we understand the Divine priorities of respecting and appreciating the best in each other. We have a phrase in Hebrew from Psalms 133, HEENAY MA TOV U-MA NA’EEM, SHE’VET

AHEEM GAM YACHADHow wonderful it is when the children of God work together.

God’s lesson to all of us is not to leave these words on your lips, but rather to take the words to heart and in your hands. Do something to make the world a better place, and begin by openly showing respect and expressing appreciation to others, counting your blessings in the process.