When I moved to Los Angeles in the ’80s, I thought my wife and three children were coming with me. As it turned out, only my 14-year-old daughter made the move with me. Suddenly, I was a single parent in Santa Monica.
That first Friday night, I remembered seeing a synagogue on Main Street. It was an easy walk from our small apartment. My daughter and I came for the Oneg Shabbat at Mishkon. Not only did we feel welcome, but we found out the teen group was having a $1 car wash that Sunday to raise money for their activities.
It’s difficult to imagine balancing a full-time job while raising a teen daughter. But, thanks to Mishkon, we both found friends and spiritual comfort to meet the challenge.
A couple of weeks ago, my 12-year-old granddaughter came to visit from the Midwest. She is preparing for her Bat Mitzvah and wanted to attend Shabbat services. We walked together from my house to Mishkon. We were welcomed by my many friends, and I was given an Aliyah. Rabbi Katzan had my granddaughter stand next to me while I sang the blessing before the reading from the Torah. She loved taking part in the honor.
Mishkon was there for me all those years ago. And it is there for me today.
Baruch HaShem.
Thu, May 9 2024 1 Iyyar 5784
