Small acts of kindness...
...are everywhere. They make the world a better place. They make life more holy. They make community sacred. They are too often overlooked. "Small Acts..." is set to change that. Did someone do something kind for you? Did you observe a small but powerfully caring act? Share it! And in doing so encourage others to do the same.
This was posted about TSTI last week on Maplewood On Line…thought the whole Temple community should have access to it as well.
First let me say that going to services last evening and this morning was a wonderful experience. I had never realized how handicapped-friendly our congregation really is until I got the opportunity to experience it first hand. The additional reserved spaces for handicapped persons were close to the main entrance but even so, we were given the option of driving up directly to a pick/up drop off space by the door if this was needed (we declined). The cut out leading from the parking lot to the pathway leading to the door was perfectly level making navigation with the wheelchair a breeze. One of the ushers opened a side door for us which lead directly to the front of the sanctuary so that we had to travel only a minimal distance (we were able to exit the same way which avoided having to navigate through crowds). We were directed to an area set aside for those with mobility issues, which was right by the exit referred to above. Last night the Rabbi seeing my wheelchair extended into the aisle came over and removed a chair so I could "sit with the rest of the congregation." I am so glad that we went.
It’s really when you are at your wit’s end; when you are frustrated in general and unhappy about your situation, and the person from your temple on the other end of the phone says: “I am sure I can help you with this.”
I had a death in my family and a woman I never met called me. She wanted to drop by with a challah. Some time passed and then she came by with a gift – a candle, some tea, a note from the Rabbi – a very sweet gesture. Do folks know that people at Temple do this for others here?
The parking lot was a flurry of activity on Rosh Hashanah morning between the early and late services. As it filled up, parking became more of a challenge. At one point, I watched a congregant struggling to back into a tight spot – with cars all around him waiting to pull in. It was not going smoothly. Just then, someone got out of another car, tapped on the window and from what I could see (I could not hear), graciously offered to do it. Stress averted – problem solved.
