tetzaveh (june 2026)

Tonight we meet with Tetzaveh, a portion that is, at its core, about preparing a community to step into its next chapter. The Israelites are still in the wilderness, still becoming who they are meant to be. And in this moment, Gd turns to Moses and says: “You shall command…”—not to build the Mishkan itself, but to kindle light, to consecrate leaders, and to prepare the people for what comes next.

Tetzaveh is a what I call a threshold parashah. Nothing dramatic happens. No sea splits, no plagues fall, no tablets shatter. Instead, we get instructions—detailed, careful, almost tender—about clothing, oil, ritual, and readiness. It’s the Torah’s way of saying: Before transformation comes preparation. Before stepping forward comes intention.

Our community is standing in a similar place. We are not in crisis; we are not in chaos. We are in that quieter, more vulnerable space where growth becomes possible. We are imagining a Hebrew school—something that will shape the next generation of Jewish identity here. We will talk about a teacher whose gifts could help us build something beautiful. And we are discerning how to step across this threshold with clarity and courage.

Tetzaveh reminds us that thresholds matter because they shape what follows. The garments Aaron wears are not just clothing; they are symbols of responsibility. The oil for the menorah is not just fuel; it is the commitment to keep light burning even when the journey is long. Every detail is a way of saying: What we build now will define who we become.

As a board, we are the ones who tend the light. We choose what to kindle, what to nurture, and what future to make possible. May our decisions tonight reflect the faith that this community can grow, can teach, can inspire—and that we are ready to step into that future together.

Title Photo by Wonderlane on Unsplash