This week's parashah, Vayera, presents us with some of the most dramatic moments in our tradition: Abraham's legendary hospitality welcoming three strangers, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the Akedah (the binding of Isaac). Yet amid these weighty narratives, we encounter something unexpected and profoundly human… laughter.
When Sarah overhears that she will bear a child in her old age, she laughs (Genesis 18:12). Later, when Isaac is born, Sarah declares, "Gd has brought me laughter; everyone who hears will laugh with me." (Genesis 21:6) The name Yitzchak (Isaac), literally means "he will laugh." From Sarah's incredulous chuckle emerges not just a child, but an entire people. Our patriarch is named for joy itself!
This teaches us something essential: laughter is not frivolous. Joy is not a luxury. They are sacred forces that sustain us, bind us together, and remind us that even in uncertain times, we can find reasons to celebrate. When we laugh together, when we gather in joy, we create something holy… community.
Next month, we have three extraordinary opportunities to embody Sarah's laughter and build the bonds that strengthen us. On December 10th, comedian Shaun Eli will help us launch our Annual Campaign, an initiative that raised over $2,000,000 last year to support critical local, international, and needs in Israel. A gift to this campaign is an investment in our community's future and in the safety and security of our Jewish agencies, which in today's world is beyond essential. We'll begin this sacred work with laughter, just as Sarah did.
On December 15th, we'll gather at the Mercato for our community-wide Hanukkah celebration; a free event where we'll light the menorah together, demonstrating our vibrant Jewish presence and our proud participation in the greater Naples community. Like the Maccabees who rededicated the Temple, we rededicate ourselves to showing up joyfully and publicly as Jews.
And on December 17th, our Men's Cultural Alliance presents master mentalist Guy Bavli for an evening of wonder and amazement. The MCA, along with their counterpart the WCA (Women's Cultural Alliance), continues to build community by creating meaningful bonds of friendship through unique and engaging programs that bring us together in new ways.
Sarah's laughter reminds us that joy isn't just a response to blessing, it creates blessing. When we gather, when we celebrate, when we support one another, we fulfill the promise of this week’s parashah: we become a community where everyone who hears will laugh with us. Because we are Stronger Together!
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