Message from Rabbi Amy Wallk

 

I have had the pleasure of working with Reverend David Aminia since 2008.  I can readily attest that Reverend Aminia is reliable, prepared, even-tempered, calm, trustworthy, present and deeply committed to Temple Beth El and the Jewish people.  Do you know that Reverend Aminia has never overslept?  Do you know that Reverend Aminia has never missed a minyan because he was tied up or forgot?  Do you know that Reverend Aminia has always ensured that our Sifrei Torah are rolled to the proper Torah portion (on holidays that is no small feat!)?  Reverend Aminia not only makes sure that the yahrzeit letters are mailed, but he knows the families of this congregation and he holds so many of your sacred stories in his heart? If Reverend Aminia is needed at Bay State or a shiva house, he makes himself available.  If a Bar Mitzvah student needs extra lessons, Reverend Aminia makes time.
 
In so many ways, Reverend Aminia is our communal Ner Tamid ~ our Eternal Light.  Exodus 20:27 instructs that the Israelites shall “bring clear oil of beaten olives for lighting, for kindling lamps regularly ~ l'ha'alot ner tamid.”  That is how the priests kept the lamp lit with the help of the Israelites who brought oil to the Temple.  The question is — is tamid an adjective or an adverb?  Was the lamp lit continuously or was it continually lit?  With Reverend David Aminia the answer is Yes and Yes. 
 
Reverend Aminia is our Eternal Light as he is always lighting the paths to Torah and Prayer for our membership, guests, and visitors while also working to make sure his own light is ready to shine through the sacred words of our tradition.  He hardly ~ and I mean hardly (!) ~ misses a minyan or a Shabbat service.  He attends nearly all of our programs, opening and closing the building and doing his best to ensure that things run smoothly.  I imagine all of us can hear Reverend Aminia davening the prayers or chanting Torah or Haftarah.  In this sense — tamid is a verb. Reverend Aminia is always present. 
 
But the Hebrew word tamid is also an adverb — and with the help of members of our community, Reverend Aminia ensures that all rituals are performed properly.  But he can’t do this alone.  Like the priests needed the Israelites to bring oil so that they could light the flame, Reverend Aminia needs our community so that he can ensure that the Ner Tamid is lit each day.
 
Thank you Reverend Aminia for all you do to sustain our community. You have given 36 years of life to this community.  We are doubly blessed by your presence and your skills, your kindness and your compassion. Yishar koach - may you feel strength through the gratitude and appreciation felt for all you do for the TBE Community.