Rabbinic Reflection: Rabbi Eliza McCarroll

There is a seemingly bizarre request found in our Torah portion this week, Vayigash. 

As our ancestor Joseph nears the end of his life, he requests for his brothers to take his bones to the land of Israel, as it is written: 

פָּקֹ֨ד יִפְקֹ֤ד אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶתְכֶ֔ם וְהַעֲלִתֶ֥ם אֶת־עַצְמֹתַ֖י מִזֶּֽה׃ 

“Once God has taken notice of you, you shall carry up my bones from there.” 

Although it sounds odd on the surface, this request speaks to the idea that, in each of our lives, there are certain places and spaces that remain core to us. There are locations that have shaped our identities and played a starring role in forming who we are and who we’ve become. 

Can you cast your mind back and imagine what they might be to you … 

Is it your childhood home? Your grandparents’ seder table? Your wedding venue? Your high school? Your summer camp …? 

These places may even seem sacred to you, inspiring a sense of awe or nostalgia in the associations we have with them. 

Coincidentally, for this rabbi, two of those spaces in my life have been my home synagogue and my summer camp.  

When it comes to my home synagogue, my teenage years were filled with spending time there for youth group activities and Shabbat morning services. I knew every inch of that building, including where to find the chocolate the rabbi hid behind the bimah to share with the kids during the hakafah (Torah processional).  

Today, I think about our own Youth Education Centre (YEC) students, who are here every Sunday morning and Monday evening, creating their own Jewish memories in our sacred spaces, filling our building with laughter, and learning.  

The delight that our children take in this and that I take in witnessing it, is why I often call YEC the best part of my week, every week – and I mean it.  

The good news is that our space continues to be open for our youth, with rolling registration for our YEC. Sanctifying our space means filling it with joy and smiles, and you can find out more information about it HERE. 

Additionally, circling back to summer camp … many of you would have heard the devastating news of the fire that has destroyed the chadar ochel (dining hall) of our beloved Camp George, our Canadian Reform Jewish summer camp of which we are so proud.  

As I wrote to our Camp George friends on behalf of the Holy Blossom team, our Psalmist teaches: even ma’asu habonim, haytah larosh pinah – “a stone left by builders has become a foundation”.    

Our hearts are with Camp George as the process of healing and rebuilding begins, in this place which we hold so dear, and so holy. 

I know that, in my capacity as both a Holy Blossom rabbi and a Camp George Council member, our community stands ready and waiting to support as we learn more. You too can learn more, on the Camp George social media, here.  

Yet, the funny thing, is that the summer camp I grew up on did not own a physical site, switching locations every summer and winter. 

I understood young, as our campers and students are coming to know now, that sacred space is not simply bricks and mortar, but the memories made within the four walls. 

Within both our sacred congregation, and up at Maple Lake, sacred space means many, many more years of Jewish friendship, happiness, and learning. 

Ken yehi ratzon – may this be God’s will.