Torah Thoughts

WOMAN OF THE YEAR

This week I attended the Sisterhood’s Paid Up Membership Dinner, during which Phoebe Dichner was honored as ‘Woman of the Year.’ Phoebe is president of our Prime Timers’ group and serves on various committees. She rarely misses Shabbat and holiday services, and MJC events. In short, she is a great choice for this award!

I offered the following tribute.

I’ve attended many Prime Timers’ Hanukkah parties over the years, and I won the raffle every time. In fact, all attendees won because Phoebe made sure everyone got a prize. That’s Phoebe – she ensures that all of us feel included, seen, and empowered.

When she has a birthday, or another great grandchild, she brings treats for everyone … She celebrates her blessings by giving to us.

Phoebe is a poster child for one of my favorite Jewish values – emphasizing the positive, or hakarat hatov in Hebrew. She approaches me after every service and program with specific compliments as to what made it good. I might have given the most boring sermon, and Phoebe would still find a way to lift my spirits.

In the biblical passage about an ideal Jewish woman, the poet wrote that “… she does not eat the bread of idleness.” (Proverbs 31:27) Phoebe goes nonstop, and if it’s not for her family it’s for MJC. The poet also wrote, “… her deeds sing her praise …” (ibid v.31) Phoebe is very modest about what she does, which is one of many reasons we all love her so much!

Several individuals spoke beautifully about how much Phoebe means to them – it was a great evening!

Shalom,

Rabbi Pont