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For one glorious moment last Sunday, we all stood at Sinai.

To get there, we had to cross the treacherous Red Sea of the Pacific Coast Highway. Some parked   their cars at the synagogue and scurried across, clinging to each other in on the center island of the raging PCH. The wise among us crossed by shuttle, meeting friends and strangers as we boarded the bus at Pepperdine. As in the Exodus from Egypt, it was an “eruv rav” a mixed multitude of members, guests and total strangers, all poised for an adventure into the unknown.

When we arrived safely at the home of Kim Gold on the other side of the PCH Sea, we were greeted by the sights and sounds of delight. We shopped.  Music from the Berger/Sanchez group drifted by as we grazed on heavenly chocolate and childhood mac and cheese. The storm clouds lifted, and slowly the realization dawned –this was no ordinary fundraiser, but a visit to Paradise

Cantor Marcelo led us across with endless enthusiasm and a Latin Beat.  He worked tirelessly with Paul and Paula Reiser to bring forth a vision of a community that stood Hand in Hand. Adrienne DuBois, playing Joshua, guided the entire celebration, assisted by MJCS staff and our wise tribal elders- Ellen Wolf, Janey Sweet, Susan Monus, Ellen Weitman, Elinor Leipzig and other members of the MJCS Board of Directors. Behind the scenes, Greg Sills and his crew worked tirelessly to rig paradise for light and sound.

Who played our Moses? Any one of the well-tanned members of the crowd could have been a stand-in for Charlton Heston. But the real heroes of last Sunday’s event were the children with special needs and their parents. It is their struggle that we came to honor and support.

In the Passover story, told at this time of the year, the Jews are attacked by Amalek, the embodiment of evil, just after they cross the Red Sea and head out towards Sinai. Amalek sneaks up from behind and slaughters the weak, the old, and the physically and mentally challenged.  Only when the entire community holds up Moses’ arms is Amaleck stopped in his tracks. We learn that there can be no Torah at Sinai until the  people understand that they are to battle evil, and take care of all of the members of a community. Through our after-school programs, our buddy-mentoring program, and our aid to families with special needs, we stand Hand in Hand. No one is to be left behind.

Slowly, the sun begins to set, and the gates of holiness are opened. Adam Sandler introduces Paul Reiser, and we begin where we must always begin, by laughing at ourselves. With her voice lifting across the waters, Cantor Marianna Gindlin asks us to believe in ourselves.  Our own Ruth Flinkman invites us to smile, and Paul Reiser and Julia Fordham delight with music that expands our consciousness beyond expectations. The Cantor sings of Granada, another Garden of Eden where Jew, Christian and Moslem once lived in peaceful co-existence over a thousand years ago. Alan Bergman, composer of our dreams, leads us through the Windmills of Our Minds. Pelicans arch across the sky.  Brooke Burke graces our stage and introduces our children, who,  Hand in Hand, sing “This Little Light of Mine, I’m Gonna Let it Shine.”

The light grows dim, threading through the sky. In the hush, we hear the heavenly sounds of Kenny G’s sax, leading us home.  We are transfixed, transported, knowing that this moment in time is holy, holy, holy. We stand at Sinai, Hand in Hand.

Until next year across the PCH. Next Year in Jerusalem.

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Judith