Page 4 - The Jewish Voice - March '21

Page 4, The Jewish Voice

LocaL happenings

Global Chabad Women’s NCJW Launches

Convention Soup for the Soul

By Rebbetzin Chana Vigler National Council of Jewish Women Palm Beach has
“When Adar enters we increase in joy.” launched a new partnership with Palm Beach Harvest, an
The Jewish month of Adar began February 12 and, as organization that feeds thousands of food insecure adults and
the saying goes, it was a day to rejoice as the entire month children in Palm Beach County several times a week. Last
is one of happiness and celebration. But how do we flip year, more than 3 million pounds of food that would normally
the happy switch? be wasted from restaurants, hotels, and grocery stores was
It reminds me of one of my husband’s favorite stories. “rescued” by Palm Beach Harvest.
A fellow came into his office one day and said, “Rabbi,
you always say that we need to be happy, but I don’t want

From the Rabbis from page 3 to be happy, I want to be miserable!” Rabbi Vigler looked
him in the eye and said, “That’s OK, if that’s what makes
Religion at its best is designed to be our spiritual you happy!”
source of comfort and advice, a structure to provide We love to tell this story — not only because it’s so
moral guidelines, a caring community and help funny, but mostly because it’s true!
for those in need. It tries to foster a belief in I recently had the immeasurable pleasure of joining
responsibilities, not rights, e.g., that we are obligated Chabad rebbetzins in our global conference, virtually. It
to help the poor. was a stunning display of camaraderie and networking,
When we get it right, Judaism brings religion and but mostly, inspiration. The highlight for most of us
spirituality together. We highlight qualities such as was the “24-hour farbrengen” where rebbetzins shared
caring, kindness, compassion, tolerance, service, and thoughts, stories, and helpful tidbits around the clock,
community. And on top of this, we feel an obligation passing through all times zones. As some rebbetzins were Laurie Alexander, chairperson of NCJW Palm Beach’s Soup
to our tradition and/or God in these pursuits, not just preparing to head off to bed, others were just starting for the Soul program, and Deborah Morgan, executive
because it brings us personal calm or satisfaction. their day and vice versa! It was remarkable to drift off director of Palm Beach Harvest
So I understand when people say: “I don’t need to to sleep with the sounds of their voices and to wake up
define myself by any community, by putting myself in the morning and find that they were still there, nearly NCJW Palm Beach recently introduced Soup for the Soul,
in a box labeled Baptist or Catholic, Muslim or Jew.” one thousand women strong! a project in partnership with Palm Beach Harvest. Hundreds
I understand when people say: “When I die, I believe One thought that hit home was on the concept of joy. of volunteers in the Ibis and Ironhorse country clubs shopped
all my accounting will be done by God, but I will not One rebbetzin shared that her father had passed away and delivered bags filled with fresh vegetables, lentils, and
walk through a door with a label on it.” exactly one week prior to her wedding. On the morning cans of tomatoes to designated areas in their community to be
I understand that they are on the path to of her wedding they had ripped shirts, finalizing the shiva, collected by Palm Beach Harvest. The organization created a
enlightenment — but in my opinion, it is a connection and that evening she walked down the aisle to her chuppah hearty, nourishing soup to serve to more than 1,500 children
to responsibility and obligation that will help get them as a new bride. As she danced with her grandmother and families in Palm Beach County.
all the way there. that evening, her Bubby expressed how difficult it was “Palm Beach Harvest Inc. has been meeting the need
Rabbi Paul Arberman is spiritual leader at Temple to switch emotions. How could one go from such deep to feed for 23 years and is very excited and grateful to be
Beth David in Palm Beach Gardens. sadness and mourning and like the flip of a switch become working alongside such a great group helping us in these
happy and joyous?! covid times of need,” said Deborah Morgan, executive
The bride immediately instructed the band to change director of Palm Beach Harvest.
the music and play a specific song. It was a Yiddish song Laurie Alexander, chairperson of Soup for the Soul, said
that translated means, “The Rebbe instructed us to be she came up with the partnership idea after many volunteers
joyous!” Happy and joyous, she explained, are entirely from NCJW’s Let’s Do Lunch sandwich project approached
separate things. To be happy is an emotion and we cannot her and asked what more they could do. “By doing this
control our emotions. Joyous, on the other hand, is an act act of kindness, your soul feels good knowing that you
and no matter the emotion we feel we always have control spent approximately $12 per bag to provide 12 servings of
over our actions. nourishing soup without doing any cooking!” she said.
This was a tough year. You’d be forgiven if you didn’t For more information about how you can participate, call or
feel happy. But with the entry of the new month of Adar, email Alexander at 561.252.1703 or lauriealex18@gmail.com.
set aside your emotions and be joyous — this is the switch
that is in your hands alone! Local Happenings on page 5

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