It rained the entire time of my first visit to Temple Beth Or this past November. The steady downpour did nothing to diminish the sense of warmth, community, and genuine welcome I felt from both congregants and staff.
When I returned to Raleigh in May to search for housing and meet with B’nai Mitzvah families, staff, and lay leaders, it rained every day then as well. The landscape was painted in deep greens and vibrant hues. I was struck by how lush and alive everything appeared. Clearly, the beauty and vitality of this region are shaped by the climate, and especially by the rain.
When I officially moved here in June, what greeted me when I stepped off the plane? Torrential downpours! I could barely see the highway as I drove from the airport to the hotel. Still, even through the storm, I could sense the richness of the landscape, how the very water that obscures the road also nourishes the soil. Thankfully, during the week my nephew and the movers were here to help me settle in, the rain stopped entirely (whew!).
This past week has brought more intense weather: thunderstorms, power outages, and daily downpours. We’ve watched heartbreaking news unfold: devastating storms in Texas, where victims are still unaccounted for, and flash floods in New York City that shut down parts of the subway system. These events remind us how water can be both life-giving and destructive.
Since moving to Raleigh, I’ve been thinking deeply about the dual nature of water:
Water is essential for life. Our bodies are more than 50% water. We can survive 2-3 months without food, but only 3-5 days without water. Without water, nothing grows. Drought leads to famine and despair. However, too much water, or water that arrives with great force (hurricanes, tornadoes, floods) can bring devastation and death.
Each week on Saturday evening when we end Shabbat with Havdalah, we recite this verse from Isaiah:
"וּשְׁאַבְתֶּם מַיִם בְּשָׂשׂוֹן מִמַּעַיְנֵי הַיְשׁוּעָה"
“You shall draw water with joy from the wells of salvation.”
— Isaiah 12:3
This verse overflows with rich imagery and meaning. Water, a basic human need, becomes a symbol of divine salvation and joy. In Judaism, water evokes not just survival, but spiritual nourishment as well. Jewish tradition teaches that in the time to come, redemption will be so abundant and accessible, we’ll draw it with the same ease and joy as drawing water from a well.
In the face of a world that feels uncertain and stormy, I believe we can find those “wells of salvation” right here within our own Temple Beth Or community. (Please note: this is only a partial list of what I have observed in my first two weeks):
• We are blessed with a dedicated, talented, and hard-working staff who ensure that TBO runs smoothly, beautifully, and meaningfully, often behind the scenes. Each staff member is more than simply their title: many initiate programming, staff committees, visit congregants who are ill, and so much more. Each and every staff member goes above and beyond what is required of them.
• Our thoughtful and visionary Executive Committee, Board, Committee Chairs, and volunteers provide dynamic programs and engaging opportunities for all ages and stages of life.
• We have one of the most active and enthusiastic Youth Programs in the region. From early childhood through high school, our young people love being part of this community, something many other congregations admire.
• Zemer Lexie Nuell has created a music program and member opportunities that inspire joy, spirituality, and connection, from our youngest Mazel Tots programs to our teens, to all who join in every worship and program experience.
• Our Tikkun Olam Committee (the first committee I attended) includes over 16 committed individuals working toward ambitious goals that address urgent needs locally, nationally, and globally.
• RALFTY, Sisterhood, and Brotherhood each contribute in distinct and vibrant ways, while weaving their efforts into the broader fabric of our congregation.
• So many others give of their time and talent from Adult Education, Membership, Finance, and so many others, each playing a vital role in nurturing our communal life.
If we see “rain” and “water” as metaphors for life, richness, and growth, then Temple Beth Or is truly overflowing with abundance, life, and richness.
We are the wells of salvation. Each act of kindness, each melody sung in prayer, each mitzvah performed, each child nurtured in learning and love: this is the water we draw with joy. This is the sacred flow of our community.
"וּשְׁאַבְתֶּם מַיִם בְּשָׂשׂוֹן מִמַּעַיְנֵי הַיְשׁוּעָה"
“You shall draw water with joy from the wells of salvation.”
— Isaiah 12:3
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Sharon L. Sobel
Interim Rabbi
Temple Beth Or
Raleigh, NC
rabbisobel@tboraleigh.org
