By: Katherine Podolak
Young Adult Division (YAD) Manager
When we attend an event or program, we often walk away with a specific sentiment felt either implicitly or explicitly. While to the attendee this sentiment can be seen as simply a part of the content of the event, for those putting on the event, we know this residual feeling participants are left with was not only intentional but meticulously curated and planned. Each detail, down to the minute, is done with intention and precision to ensure that those present feel connected to the overall purpose of why that event or program is happening.
In this week’s Torah portion, Tzav (Leviticus 6), we continue to learn in great detail about the sacrificial ritual commandments required in the ancient temple, and who is responsible for fulfilling them. For all the rituals to be completed, the fire that sits on the altar in the temple must continuously be watched and cared for by the priests (descendants of Aaron) so that it continues to burn: “The fire on the altar shall be kept burning, not to go out: every morning the priest shall feed wood to it…a perpetual fire shall be kept burning on the altar, not to go out.” (Leviticus 6:5-6)
While priests and others holding responsibilities regarding offerings isn’t novel, what is interesting in this specific case of tending to the fire is that the work isn’t dramatic or public; it wasn’t big spiritual moments or ceremonies. Instead, it was a lot of behind-the-scenes maintenance like cleaning ashes or adding wood, to quietly make sure the rituals could continue. The emphasis on the importance of these seemingly menial tasks implies that sustaining something meaningful requires intentional, consistent, and often unseen work. The fire didn’t stay alive because of one big moment; it stayed alive because people showed up every day with the intention to care for it.
This notion, to me, perfectly encompasses the work we do at JEWISHcolorado through our programming. Whether it’s Cindy Coons providing space for children to learn about Judaism in an accessible and warm environment through Jewish Explorers, or Nelly Ben Tal, our Israel Emissary, educating the community in creative and nuanced ways about Israel, or the work within our Young Adult Division (YAD) to develop and strengthen the next generation of Jewish philanthropic leaders, each program is meticulously curated and executed behind-the-scenes with intention to ensure participants walk away feeling more deeply connected to our Jewish community here in Colorado and beyond.
And because of the nature of the work often being done in the background and behind-the-scenes, the participants present intentionally don’t see all the efforts made by those leading the program and everything that goes into creating the sentiment attendees are ultimately left with. They don’t see the metaphorical swept ashes or fresh wood required to continue fueling the “fire”.
So, maybe the lesson of Tzav then is that meaningful communities don’t survive because of big moments alone, they survive because people quietly keep the fire going.
Please email Katherine Podolak at kpodolak@jewishcolorado.org with questions or comments.