10/19/2026
Dear Brit Am Family,
What a week we just had. After the wind, the fallen trees, the lost power, and the uncertainty, we were still able to gather together on Shabbat and were reminded of something ancient and profoundly simple: G-D is still G-D, and we are still His. It was a joy to worship alongside each of you, and for those who were unable to join us in person, we hope this recap blesses you.
Sermon Summary: Shabbat's sermon drew a powerful connection between Parsha Noach and the storm our community experienced this past week. Just as Noah's name means "rest," the message explored how true rest is not the absence of difficulty but the presence of G-D in the midst of it. The central focus was not the flood itself, but what Noah did when he stepped off the ark. Before addressing his own needs, before surveying the devastation around him, Noah built an altar and gave an offering to G-D. This act of worship in the aftermath of catastrophe served as a challenge and an invitation to each of us: how do we respond when the storm passes? The sermon called our community to hold fast to the rest that comes from G-D, to give offerings of praise, labor, finances, and time, and to let the watching world see what it looks like to trust G-D not just in word but in action.
Takeaways:
True rest is not circumstantial. Noah's name means rest, yet his life was filled with hardship, labor, and loss. The rest G-D offers is a peace that holds steady regardless of what surrounds us, a peace we can walk in even when trees are falling and the power is out.
The first response to surviving a storm should be worship. Noah's immediate act upon leaving the ark was to build an altar and offer something to G-D. Before assessing damage, before planning next steps, he gave thanks. This week we are each invited to examine our own first response and ask honestly whether gratitude and worship led the way.
What matters most is what comes next. The storm is not the story. What we do after the storm is the story. Whether that means helping a neighbor clear debris, sharing groceries with someone who lost a refrigerator full of food, giving financially toward recovery, or simply showing up for one another, our offerings of time, labor, and resources are acts of faith that declare we trust G-D to provide.
As we move into this coming week, let us continue to look for ways to be a blessing to those around us who are still recovering. If you have a need, please do not hesitate to reach out. If you have something to give, now is a wonderful time to give it. We are a community, and we are better together.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Eric
