She took it upon herself some years ago. She would hunt for information after every service, after every festival celebration, after every single congregational event.

Who had prepared and set up rooms? Who had decorated? Who was responsible for oneg? Who had stayed to clean and sort and put things in order before we left?

Then, she would call up each family, each individual. She would thank them personally.

“It’s so important,” she told me. “People need to be thanked. They need to be appreciated.”

Ruth Kingberg, once the head of the oneg committee in her congregation back up north, the matriarch of our congregation, the first up to dance and the first to offer a hug, is our role model. What she does is, in fact, so important.

What keeps folks going who are paid little to nothing for all they do for the congregation? Our appreciation.

What helps anyone feel that what he or she does is worthwhile? Our thanks.

What creates a sacred community, one committed to caring for one another in good times and bad? Mutual respect and support.

When was the last time you thanked someone in the congregation for what he or she did to create the good feeling and the sacred space we enjoy?

Our opportunities are everywhere. Why not express gratitude for a wonderful hagbah, when one of our own holds the Torah aloft with all three columns wide open and clear for us to see? Whoever is doing the heavy lifting that night would probably love to receive our appreciation.

What about thanking the children when they sing for us and help lead our prayers. What about acknowledging the harmonies now enriching our prayer experience?

What about thanking folks for the wonderful food they are bringing, for the physical labor of bringing in and setting up chairs and tables and taking them down long after most of us have left? What about thanking the teachers who sacrifice their month of Sundays (and then some) in education committee meetings, in creating lesson plans, in shopping for the kids? What about expressing our appreciation for those who help us organize opportunities for tikkun olam?

What about simply turning to each other and thanking the person next to you for showing up to make a minyan, for engaging in prayer with us, for asking about our family and work life?

Remember your Books of Life from the High Holy Days?

Here’s a suggestion: Think of people you could thank. Make a list in your book of all those people – all the people who are doing something to help keep Temple Or Olam going. Write an email. Send a card. Remember to pass your thanks along at the next oneg.

Ruth is right: It’s so important.

P.S. And while we are on the subject of thanks: Many thanks to Heather Chait for stepping up to lead our Chicken Soup Committee.  I didn’t expect to be the first recipient of her committee’s care, but I want to take the opportunity to thank her and all those who have been so kindly offering to help take care of us after my surgery next week.  Ralf and I are very grateful!