This year, along with Moreh Alan continuing to write the weekly D’var Torah, he will be inviting faculty and staff to contribute as well. This will provide a wonderful opportunity for our community to hear from and get to know more of our team. We hope you enjoy this new addition to our communications and the diverse perspectives it will bring.

About Morah Ellen: Ellen Ostofsky is our Director of Development & Community Engagement at Heschel. She leads fundraising and engagement initiatives, working closely with the School Council, staff, and Heschel families. A fun and warm presence, Morah Ellen brings incredible energy and dedication to her work, fostering the connection and vibrancy that define our community.

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Our Middat HaShuvah this week is “Be welcoming”.

וַיִּשָּׂא עֵינָיו, וַיַּרְא, וְהִנֵּה שְׁלֹשָׁה אֲנָשִׁים, נִצָּבִים עָלָיו; וַיַּרְא, וַיָּרָץ לִקְרָאתָם מִפֶּתַח הָאֹהֶל

Avraham raised his eyes and saw, and behold three people stood nearby; he looked, and he ran towards them from the opening of the tent (Gen 18:2)

In this week’s parsha, Vayera, we read the story of Abraham’s covenant with God and learn about the actions of Abraham as he welcomes three strangers into his tent. Abraham does not wait or hesitate to greet the guests but runs toward them – an illustration of our Middat HaShuvah, ‘Be welcoming’.

Abraham’s eagerness to serve his guests—providing them with water, food, and comfort—serves as a timeless lesson about the value of welcoming others, regardless of their identity or background. His hospitality transcends mere obligation; it reflects a deep understanding of the human need for connection and care.

This week, whether as students or teachers, parents or children, let us think about the ways we can be welcoming. A smile, a kind word, an invitation to join a conversation or activity – these are some of the ways we can emulate the open-heartedness of Abraham.

Parsha Vayera reminds us that being welcoming not only enriches others but also elevates our own humanity. By fostering a spirit of inclusion and compassion, we embody the values that define a just and loving community.