A few weeks back, I was enjoying an informal conversation with a few friends here at the Temple and the subject wandered into the definition of the word "cooperation." While none of us knew Webster’s precise definition (and no one bothered to head to the library to get a dictionary), it was mutually decided that the current state of our Temple congregation is a practical application of the word cooperation and I know that as I stood in this small conversation, I beamed both inwardly and outwardly.

Outwardly because I fully concur with the speaker in that committees are meeting and working for the interests of our congregation with a desire and intensity that I’m told hasn’t been seen here in a while. We see congregants talking together and laughing as well as commiserating with each other – all in a spirit of cooperation.

Inwardly by knowing that I may have played a small role in the current prevailing attitudes of our Temple and for this, I am genuinely pleased.

Working together for the common good is a prevalent theme in the Torah. The divergent tribes of Israel had to learn to cooperate with each other as they wandered through the Sinai desert. The cities of biblical Israel had to learn to cooperate with each other for their very survival since they were astride the major caravan trails of the Fertile Crescent and thus subject to marauding armies. And here I note that when cooperation fell or completely disintegrated, the attacking armies were successful (the Philistines, the Syrian-Greeks, the Romans, the Ottoman Turks, etc.).

Do not be swayed by a quick glance at the people of modern Israel. They seem to show general political chaos rather than a unified harmony but know surely that all of Israel’s populace is against any overthrow by neighboring Arab countries.

If there has been any type of a "theme" in our congregation over this past year, it seems to have been one of cooperation. We have come together in 2009 for the common good of our institution and the benefits are real and palpable. Dianne Parker’s, "Yes We Can!" attitude continues to pay great dividends, so why not make a resolution for 2010 to continue this wonderful congregational mood AND make a further promise to get involved in some way, in some project at your Temple. And keep close tabs on the calendar early this spring for some new events and programs.

Let us all have a great 2010!!!

Rabbi Rubovits