fbpx

Rabbi Shulweis, Dear Friend and Advocate for the Soul

[additional-authors]
December 19, 2014

by Rabbi Mark Borovitz

 

I am Addicted to Redemption in a large part because of Rabbi Harold Shulweis, z”l. Rabbi Shulweis welcomed me into his Shul knowing that I was just out of prison, an ex-con, and a recovering alcoholic. He embraced me and said that I had a place in his Shul and in every Shul- and never to let anyone tell me different! I cried inside at being accepted, welcomed and wanted. I learned that the Jewish concept of Redemption is one that includes everyone. It is not only the Baal T’Shuvah that needs to participate in Redemption, it is all of us who are partners in the personal and global Redemption necessary.


Rabbi Shulweis taught me to never abdicate my mind and to use my higher logic as well. I called Higher Logic my soul. When I thanked Rabbi Shulweis for touching my soul, another person there said, you mean your mind. Rabbi Shulweis just smiled and thanked me. He, like Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, touched my soul and the souls of millions through our intellect. He never settled for mendacity nor did he say Redemption was someone else’s job. Rabbi Shulweis never quit- his belief in the possibility of transforming souls was the guiding light of his life, as I knew him.


So, what now? It is not enough to extol Rabbi Shulweis. We say, “May his Name be a Blessing.” I think about Rabbi Shulweis’ teaching that it is not enough for us to say this- WE have to MAKE this happen! It should be ‘”May we make his name be a blessing.” Yes, I am shouting at you (and me) because Rabbi Shulweis shouted this to me often. How are we going to do this?


We do this by supporting the work of Jewish World Watch. We do this by not standing idly by the blood of any human. We do this by never throwing away or marginalizing those of us who lose our path. We do this by supporting the Community of Valley Beth Shalom. We do this by living and spreading the teachings that Rabbi Shulweis lived every single day. We do this by constantly thinking of new ways to make a difference in our world. We do this by seeing every soul as important. We do this by making sure that we realize everything we do MATTERS!


We, the people who have been Blessed to know and learn from Rabbi Harold Shulweis, z’l have to live life with one of the major pillars of our foundation no longer physically here. We have to live life out loud; we have to take up the mantle of Rabbi Shulweis’ Prophecy. We have the Kavod of being his disciples and it is our privilege and obligation to keep spreading his words of Redemption and Hope. I implore all of you to join me in honoring Rabbi Harold Shulweis, z”l by being Addicted to Redemption.

Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.

Editor's Picks

Latest Articles

Print Issue: Got College? | Mar 29, 2024

With the alarming rise in antisemitism across many college campuses, choosing where to apply has become more complicated for Jewish high school seniors. Some are even looking at Israel.

More news and opinions than at a
Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.