Shalom!
Welcome to Clifton Park Chabad Jewish Center! Here at Chabad, you will find a wide array of programming designed to enhance Jewish life in southern Saratoga County. We strive to create an environment where every person is welcome, every individual Mitzvah is cherished, and where Judaism is an accessible reality to all Jews regardless of background, affiliation or age!
Through Shabbat Dinners, Holiday events, Jewish Womens circle, Chabad Hebrew school and everything in between, we are cultivating a community together. We look forward to meeting you in person at a Shabbat dinner, Torah class or a casual coffee date.
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Clifton Park Chabad
Where every Jew is family! Come join our ever-growing family in Southern Saratoga County.
Join us Snow or Shine, for Shabbat services and Bagels Lox Kiddush at 10:30 am!
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When we started the Chabad House in Clifton Park over 18 years ago, I was very excited about everything: connecting with new people, starting Torah classes and programs, and so much more.
But there was one aspect I was really not looking forward to: fundraising.
As you most likely know, Chabad Houses are not funded by Chabad Headquarters. With no outside money, I would be "privileged" to be responsible for raising every single cent of our budget. A "tall order" indeed.
For a while, I struggled deeply with this new responsibility. As much as I wanted, it was too difficult for me to approach people and ask for donations.
And so I contacted a fundraising coach to help me get over the hump.
We spent a few hours together in conversation. We spoke about my background, my upbringing, and at some point I realized that my issue was not with fundraising per se. I was struggling with the idea of having to receive.
In my mind, I always wanted to be on the giving side. I viewed receiving as being needy and being a burden to others.
"You need to understand that people want to support good causes," my coach said. "You are not a burden and don't look at yourself as a beggar. This is something they want to do."
That was helpful because it took away the shame I always felt when receiving. But really, it was only a first step.
And this week, I learned a talk by the Rebbe that put it all in a completely new light.
The idea is simple but profound.
Regardless of whether you give or receive, you are part of the Mitzvah.
Think about it. If there is no one to give to, kindness can never happen. So by receiving, you are not just accepting something. You are enabling the Mitzvah to exist in the first place. That is something to celebrate: you are doing a Mitzvah, too!
And the best place to see this teaching come alive is our Parsha, "Terumah," where the very first fundraiser ever was recorded in the Torah.
When G-d tells Moshe to raise contributions from the Jewish people, He uses two interesting terms. "Speak to the Israelites and (tell them to) take a contribution for Me."
Why did G-d choose to say "take a contribution" instead of "give" or "make" a contribution? And why does G-d mention that the donation is "for Me?"
The Rebbe explains: When you do a Mitzvah, it should be done for the sake of G-d and not for ulterior motives.
And G-d wanted to remind even those who are in a position of receiving, those who need to "take," that this too is a Mitzvah. It deserves the same devotion, the same intention, the same joy.
Receiving is not a lesser state to escape from. It is its own form of sacred participation.
So if you find yourself in a position of receiving, do it with joy, knowing you are playing an essential role in bringing kindness into the world!
Wishing you a good Shabbos,
Light candles at 5:15 pm, Shabbat ends at 6:17 pm
P.S. I'd love to practice this teaching. Make a large donation to Clifton Park Chabad, and I will try to receive it with joy! LOL
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