Like Nachshon
I don’t get to help lead tefilah very often and it’s surprisingly something that I actually love to do, so when Cantor Rebecca Robins asked me to be part of this morning’s service, I jumped at the chance. I got to sing the Sh’ma with Cantor Jen Boyle and Ben Mazur and then introduced Mi Chamocha. I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to say, so I defaulted to what I often do: I shared something personal.
Our ancestors stood at the edge of the Red Sea, afraid, uncertain, and facing a seemingly impossible hurdle. In the midrash, Nachshon steps forward, not because he knew that the sea would part, but because moving forward was the only path towards freedom.
As a Jew of Color, I hesitated coming here because of what is going on and I feared for my safety. But, like Nachshon, I chose to step forward anyway as an act of faith and protest because I refuse to let fear dictate how I show up as a Hispanic Filipino Jew.
As we sing Mi Chamocha, may we remember that liberation begins when we choose courage over comfort and hope over fear. May we continue to find the strength to move forward even if the path isn’t clear, trusting that we will always walk this path together.
As always, you know just what to say, and how to say it with strength, dignity, and heart. So proud to call you Friend!