Community
Karen Martin with Stewart Martin
“Sometimes it is difficult to articulate the value of temple life and the Jewish ritual. This is it: support, community, care, direction, and ritual built from compassion. My father’s memory will be a blessing to me all the days of my life, and so will this time with Rockdale Temple.”
Those words closed my Shofar Soundings article in February and solidified a decision Stewart and I had already made: to make a Legacy Gift to Rockdale Temple. I have always been a firm believer that the temple is a cornerstone of Jewish life. The temple is where we come in times of joy and sadness, life and death. Although I have been with Rockdale for less than a year, this community showed up for my family in the most difficult time of my life to date: the loss of my father.
I have said many times and in many ways what a beautiful community Rockdale is. Kindness and connection permeate this community, as well as a desire to learn more about both Judaism and each other. I see this passion in our rabbis, volunteers, board members, and congregants, and when Stewart and I watch Sam at services on Friday night or playing at a FoRT event, we know we are passing these values on to him as well. We are so blessed to be a part of this community. I will do everything in my power to support Rockdale Temple while I’m here, and for many tomorrows after.
