Holy Space

As the parashah, for the past couple of weeks, has been discussing the building of the Mishkan, the space in which the Israelites would experience the Divine presence, our students shared some reflections about “holiness in space” at our Kabbalat Shabbat celebration. Rabbi Daniel Siegel

This week’s theme of Shabbat is about holiness in space. It sounds pretty weird, right? What does that actually mean? Holiness in space is about creating an environment that is holy for you personally. It doesn’t need to be at shul or a religious space. For some people, their holy space can be with their friends or family, or when they are in nature. We want to make Emanuel a holy space for everyone and we are going to do it by creating an inclusive culture. To celebrate our peers who are helping make this happen, we’re going to ask the You Can Sit With Me volunteers to come up and do the berakhah/blessing over the wine. We’ll also give you guys your ‘sit with me’ bracelets. This marks our continuing efforts at making Emanuel a sacred space. Isabella Flax -Year 12

Year 8 Camp was a really great opportunity to bond with the people in my House. We went through a lot together, we struggled through the heat of a six-hour hike, climbing up and down hills and rocks while our feet were aching as we were carrying a massive 11kg bag. But, that didn’t stop us from laughing, chatting and singing throughout the whole journey. I admire how everyone was so helpful towards each other and we knew how to care for each other if someone wasn’t feeling 100%. These were the experiences on Camp where I felt a strong emotional connection amongst my friends and peers. We created a sense of specialness through the ‘space’ of Camp. Georgia Meyerowitz -Year 8

Ski Camp was a time when I felt really connected with my friends. When we were sitting, chatting and roasting marshmallows under the stars after a long day of fun in the snow, I felt really grateful to have developed such a close bond with my friends. This was one of those times where nothing else mattered apart from what was going on right then and there.

For me, spirituality and holiness is about appreciating the situation that you are in right now.

Now one might not normally associate skiing with holiness or Judaism (and to be honest, neither did I). But for me, Ski Camp taught me that I can be grateful for the people around me and the opportunities presented to me.

A lot of our prayers, such a birkat hamazon, are about being appreciative and grateful for what we have. The way that Judaism views holiness is that we make things holy. Things are not innately holy. By seeing the good in things and doing mitzvot, we are making the world a holier place. On Ski Camp, everyone was kind to one another and took care of each other, and that in itself is a mitzvah.

Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller said” “One question is always relevant: How can I use this to move forward?” Whatever we are experiencing in life, ask: “How can I use what I have to grow? How can the gratitude for the things we already have help us to be more content in our lives. Whatever your relationship with Judaism, holiness is about what you make it.” Liat Granot – Year 10