This past Sunday and Monday, several of us had the opportunity to take part in the 2^nd annual Arts Team Retreat. It, as you probably could have guesses, was about 30 hours or art and retreating which is to say taking time away from the everyday business of the world and making space to create. It was in one of these creative spaces that this week’s e-mail exegesis became apparent. Very often you open this e-mail and find yourself exhorted to look inside yourself and find the strength and conviction to engage in the work of progressive social change in the world. This week, we’d like to send you a slightly different message.

One of the sessions during this past Arts Team Retreat took the form of participants drawing what their spiritual home would look like. Given that these were all Moishe Kavodniks, one would think that if there was a common theme amongst these pictures it might be something symbolizing a thirst for justice. While some did feature this theme, the real common thread between all of the pieces produced during this session was a dwelling place that was still, peaceful, beautiful, and open to nature. What they all suggested was not necessarily a commitment to justice but an openness to radical awe. Now we are not suggesting, (and certainly not on this the day after Martin Luther King Day) that we are abandoning our commitment to action in the pursuit of social justice. However what we would like to suggest is that a well rounded and holistic sense of spirituality takes more than this. It takes an willingness to feel the unexplainable, to see the divinity in all people and all things, and to experience miracles in our everyday existence. Being spiritual person means being able to stand in silent awe of something, whether it be a beautiful sunrise or an unexpected act of loving kindness.  That being said, we would simply like to suggest to all of you that you keep your ears, eyes, and spirits open this week, and find something radically awesome in your life to be witness to.

We also hope that you can find ways to stand in awe with us and experience the divine presence in our Jewish community.