When God called to Abraham and to Moses, they each responded “Hineini!” – “I am here!” Rashi and others tell us that by Hineini they meant not only that they were present but that they were ready—ready to act, ready to do what needed to be done. Like our forefathers, we at Temple Isaiah want to respond “We are here” when we are called. We are a Jewish community and we care about one another. But to become a true Caring Community, each of us must be ready to say “Hineini!”—to act on our caring, to be present when called upon to support, comfort, and celebrate our fellow congregants. And each of us must at the same time come to feel that our Temple community is a place to turn when we ourselves are in need.

To spread the spirit of Hineini at Temple Isaiah, the Bereavement, Bikur Cholim (visiting the sick), Gemilut Chasadim (providing meals), Provide-a-Ride, Knitzvah, and Baby Welcoming Committees are working together under the new umbrella Hineini: Temple Isaiah Caring Community. Our mission is to expand the ways we care for and care about one another. We hope to involve every one of us in giving just a little time to a congregant in need—preparing one meal, running one errand, paying one brief visit, caring for a child or a pet for a few hours, making a few phone calls.

In addition to the above standing committees, Temple Isaiah has initiated new activities to help support those struggling with the current economic crisis. We have organized an Emergency Loan Fund to help those with an immediate financial need. And, we have organized support programs and websites to help Temple members network and find jobs (Temple Isaiah Job Networking).

Our ultimate goal is to create a community where no one feels alone, where every one of us knows that he or she can turn to the Temple for comfort and caring. By many people performing small acts of loving kindness, by connecting with one another, by celebrating each other’s joys and easing each other’s burdens, and also by reaching out to the Temple and letting our own needs be known, we can build a true Caring Community, one in which we all gain comfort and strength from one another.

We hope that when the call comes, every one of us in the Temple Isaiah Caring Community will be ready to respond:

Hineini!
I am here, I care, I will act.

To join Hineini: The Temple Isaiah Caring Community and help others within our congregation, please complete the Hineini Registration Form.