Lech L'cha: The Journey Ahead 

This past Sunday at J-Quest, we celebrated one of my favorite moments of the year — Consecration, when our youngest students are formally welcomed into their Jewish learning journey. Parents and grandparents filled the sanctuary, proudly watching as our children sang, received their first Torah and certificates, and put on their Temple Jeremiah Confirmation Class of 2034 t-shirts. 

One grandparent caught me after the ceremony and asked, smiling, "Why does the shirt say Confirmation Class of 2034? My grandson isn't even close to his Bar Mitzvah yet — that's seven years away! How can we think even further ahead?" 

We both laughed, but his question lingered with me. Because in that moment, I realized how much happens in the span of just one year in our community — how much learning, growing, questioning, and connecting takes place. It's easy to think about Jewish education as a series of milestones — Consecration, Bar or Bat Mitzvah, Confirmation — but it's really about the journey between them AND beyond. 

This week's Torah portion, Lech L'cha, begins with a journey of its own. God tells Abraham, "Go forth from your land, from your birthplace, from your father's house, to the land that I will show you." Abraham doesn't know where he's going or what he'll find there, only that he's being called to take the first step — to trust, to grow, to begin. I'll also point out that I remember the Hebrew of the opening verses very vividly, because I was required to memorize it back in the 3rd grade! You never know what things will stay with you along your journeys! 

At Temple Jeremiah, we take this responsibility to heart. Our clergy, staff, and teachers feel deeply honored to walk alongside each family — through each year of J-Quest, through each milestone, through the countless small moments that make Jewish learning come alive. Every time you enter Temple Jeremiah, we have the opportunity to create lasting memories. 

Lech L'cha reminds us that the journey itself is sacred. Each year, each conversation, each act of kindness within our community helps shape the path that leads to where we're meant to go. 

As we celebrate our newest learners and look ahead to the years to come, may we all remember that the beauty of Jewish life is not just in the destination — it's in every step of the journey we share!  

Shabbat Shalom,  

Matt Rissien