By Betzy Lynch
CHULA VISTA, California — Last night, members of the JCC professional team and volunteers from our Jewish community celebrated Shabbat with the LA VID Church in Chula Vista. A member of their congregation graciously hosted about 80 of us in her beautiful backyard.
We arrived in the late afternoon to set up and warm the home-cooked meal we had prepared. As we entered the lush, plant-filled garden, we were greeted by Hebrew music and Israeli flags draped along the greenery and up the tiered retaining wall. What a welcome!
As the congregation gathered, three IDF soldiers and two additional Jewish community volunteers arrived. They looked around, astonished, and asked, “Wow, they let you decorate their whole backyard?” I smiled and replied, “No, it was like this when we got here.” The Israelis exchanged glances, both amused and moved, and one asked, half joking but half serious, “Where are we?”
I answered, “We’re with friends we’ve never met before. How lucky are we?”
The evening unfolded with meaningful explanations about Shabbat and why the JCC has made it a priority to share this sacred time with our Christian friends and neighbors. Most members of the church are Spanish-speaking, and my limited Spanish was not going to do the moment justice. Thanks to Becky Krinsky, nothing was lost in translation, not only the words, but the warmth and intention behind them reached every heart in the audience.
Before our Shabbat prayers, I asked how many in the congregation had been to Israel. Almost every hand went up. Then I asked how many had ever celebrated Shabbat. Only three hands were raised. It was a powerful opportunity to share an authentic Jewish experience with people who are clearly friends of Israel and to invite them to be our allies in standing against antisemitism.
We said the prayers, welcomed Shabbat, and enjoyed a joyful, festive meal. We talked, listened, and learned from one another.
Then came one of the most moving parts of the evening, hearing from the IDF soldiers who had joined us. They spoke about their service, their friends who were lost, and their own injuries. When we opened the floor for questions, one member of the congregation asked, “Can you tell us about your healing process?”
One soldier answered quickly but with the quiet wisdom that comes only from the heart: “My healing will take a lifetime, physically and mentally. But I’ve found it’s not the big gestures that make the difference. It’s moments like this, here with all of you tonight, feeling your love and respect for Israel. That’s a real step in my healing journey.”
As the evening wound down and we cleaned up after this extraordinary gathering, I kept thinking about that exchange, her question and his response. What is a journey of healing?
I realized that everyone is on a healing journey, whether we recognize it or not. Last night, some of those journeys were more visible than others, but we each carry our own. I imagine the same is true in your life, too. The question becomes: how can we create moments of healing for each other and for ourselves?
Perhaps we can begin by turning to the Mi Shebeirach prayer, a centuries-old expression of hope and compassion. May it open our hearts to the possibility of healing, connection, and renewal.
As Shabbat comes to a close, may this week bring the blessings of healing to us all.
May the One who blessed our ancestors , Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah, bless and heal those who are ill.
May the Holy Blessed One bring them comfort and strength, renew their courage, and restore them to wholeness.
May blessing, compassion, and courage also be upon those who care for them the hands and hearts that bring comfort, the family, friends, and healers who stand beside them with love and devotion.
May they, too, find strength and renewal in the work of their caring.
May there come soon and speedily a complete healing a healing of body and a healing of spirit for all who are in need.
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Betzy Lynch is Chief Executive Officer of the Lawrence Family JCC.