A Moment in Time: Voting – The Core of Freedom

Dear all,

Sometimes in the most common of places we are moved to the most thought-provoking of realizations. Yesterday, while buying a coffee at a 7-11, the cashier asked, “Where can I go register to vote?” He added, “My family and I, all 18 of us, just became US Citizens, and we want to make sure our voices count.”

The number 18 resonating Jewishly – notwithstanding, his question gave me pause. Here we are, toward the end of the Passover Festival, our season of Freedom. How often do we take for granted the right to vote, the power to make a difference? If our freedom means anything, it's about this fundamental right. My grandfather always reminded me, “Don't ever forget, your great-grandfather came to the country because he didn't have the right.”

This period – the fifty days between Passover and Shavuot – is a time of counting. We traditionally mark the days by counting measures of omer/ barley). But it's more than counting days. It's about taking into account what our lives mean.

And so… Take a moment in time each day.

Take a moment to be receptive in uncommon places.
Take a moment to remember our fundamental rights.
Take a moment to account for who we are.
Take a moment to measure our responsibilities in the world.
Take a moment to make a difference.

With love and Shalom,

Rabbi Zach Shapiro

(In California, you have until May 23, 2016, to register for the Presiential Primary.  http://registertovote.ca.gov/ )