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We’ve been homeless for nearly six years, and I know that it has not been easy. Despite how warm and welcoming both Rodef Shalom and Calvary Episcopal Church have been, these are temporary quarters. Yes, we know our way around the buildings; the clergy, staff and congregants have been so kind, and we have collaborated many times, but we are not in our home, and to some that might be uninviting, insufficient, depressing, and enough to keep you away. I understand. We want the Tree of Life rebuilt yesterday. My saying that creating a new institution that embraces our obligatory mission while ensuring that our congregation has a place to pray in perpetuity is taking a long time because this playbook doesn’t exist can only mollify your patience for so long. I write today about two important upcoming events that you should know about and I would suggest require your attendance. I’m mindful that no matter when a date is set for an event, it may conflict with your calendar. I’m hoping that with sufficient notice, both of these events warrant a reorganization of your schedule.

The first is our Groundbreaking Ceremony, scheduled for June 23 at 11:00AM at the Tree of Life. Yes, it’s about time! You need to be there for yourself and for your Tree of Life community. You should have received the postcard with the green invitation on one side.  You must respond by June 12 to ensure admittance, as there will be security present. For those who have not passed by the Tree of Life recently, or even if you have, I must make sure that you know that all but the main sanctuary has been removed. Standing on the site might be emotional for some; I know that it is for me.  I’m here to reassure you that you are not alone. Come find me, and we can hug. This will be the moment we have waited for, where we state unequivocally to the entire world that antisemitism will not chase us from our home, and you need to be there to affirm this to yourself, your community and the world, to start the next chapter in the grand 160-year history of the Tree of Life, which brings me to the next event with such a smooth transition.

June 26 marks the 160th anniversary of our beloved congregation, and a joyous celebration is planned for that evening. As stated above, we will not be in our home, but may I suggest that wherever we gather, we are the Tree of Life. We have persevered through the worst event in the history of American Jewry.  This will not be an evening to lament our fate as the poster child of antisemitism in America. This will be an evening of celebration that we refused to let the light go out, to paraphrase the Peter Yarrow song. You need to be at this celebration as well, to reminisce about all of the joyous events in our history that you have been a part of, to express gratitude that we are still here, and to dare dream big about our next 160 years.

One day your as yet unborn descendants will ask you about the Tree of Life.  Will your story encompass just the dark days, or will you be able to smile and say, “I was at the groundbreaking ceremony and 160th anniversary celebration. And I was at the rededication of the newest version of the Tree of Life.  It was and continues to be my spiritual home.” That’s how we defeat antisemitism. I look forward to greeting you at both events, and may we be cursed not to have enough chairs.

And to kick off the weekend, our first Shabbat on the Rocks, with our band, will be that Friday evening, June 21, at 6:00PM, in the Biblical Gardens. We have much to be grateful for and to celebrate. All it needs is you.