The Power of Welcome

Newsletter August 26, 2024 Together, we're #keepingitsacred...

The Great Rabbi Shammai would say, “greet everyone with a cheerful countenance.” 

The Mishnah (Pirkei Avot 1:15) recorded this important maxim from over 1800 years ago that is still good practice today. Shammai encourages a welcoming presence when meeting others.  

This sage wisdom was definitely a theme of this past weekend. It began Friday, with my eldest welcoming a classmate new to the school to our KITS Shabbat Services. Naturally, we rolled out the red carpet as the new student’s entire family joined us for the service and dinner (and s’mores!) after. They shared with us their initial apprehension at starting in a new school community and then expressed their relief in receiving the warm welcome. 

Saturday, I gathered with an amazing family to welcome to the world their new baby with blessing and joy. What a great tradition we have to welcome new life with communal joy!

And, Sunday, I was warmly welcomed back to the First Unitarian Church of Los Angeles to preach at their Sunday Service and was warmly invited to stay after for their Annual Church Picnic. 

All of these events have left me reflecting on the great feeling to be on the giving or receiving end of a hearty welcome. A bright smile or cheerful countenance has the power to create bonds of connection that can last a lifetime. 

The Torah would agree that there is power in welcome. In the beginning of Genesis, we learn the story of how Abraham and Sarah were particularly welcoming to three strangers who appeared in the distance. They welcomed the visitors into their tent, and fed them a hearty meal, extending dignity and care. This act of welcoming has become the hallmark of Jewish audacious hospitality, and has been lauded as exemplary behavior within the Jewish community for thousands of years. 

One cannot underestimate the importance of a warm welcome- especially in religious communities which are, for some people, the only places of meaningful human connection they have all week. 

Seasoned Professor at the Johnson & Wales University College of Hospitality Management, Karen Silva, describes the importance of a deep welcome. She reflects, “when we welcome a stranger, we too are changed by the experience.” Read the full article HERE. 

So whether you’re new to Keeping It Sacred, or if you’ve been connected to the community for years, we welcome you to engage and enjoy your time here. We are glad to be on the planet at the same time as you and welcome our reading, learning, and questioning together. Honoring one another and certainly welcoming one other is how we’re keeping it sacred. 

Together we’re #keepingitsacred...

Rabbi Heather Miller

Founder, Keeping It Sacred

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The above is an excerpt from a Keeping It Sacred newsletter. If you want to read the entire newsletter or any from our archives, please head over to: keepingitsacred.com/news 

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Thanks for your interest, and thanks for #keepingitsacred...