What does Nishmah mean?  This is a question many of us have been asked over the last six years.  At Mt. Sinai, God commanded Moses to tell the Israelite people that if they accept the Covenant with God, God will make us a holy nation.  The people respond with the words “na-aseh v’nishmah” — we will do and we will listen (Exodus 19:8).  In other words, the Jewish people promise first to observe the laws of the Torah, and only afterward to study these laws. In traditional Jewish culture, this statement has come to epitomize the Jewish commitment to the Torah. 

Nishmah – we will listen.  And that is what we did in creating Nishmah.  We were conscious to listen to what women, girls and even men had to say about the importance of developing strong women with a foundation in Jewish values and a commitment to Jewish community.  Listening has not always been easy.  Sometimes what is said is difficult to hear.  Sometimes others perspectives and opinions stand in contrast to what we believe.  And sometimes others don’t want to listen to us.  Nevertheless, we listened and we learned.

But we also did – and we did a lot.  We created the first ever all women’s community-wide seder experience in 2006 that over-flowed the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Clayton with over 500 girls and women.  And we did so with tremendous attitude, signing a contract with a major Jewish performer without a penny in the bank.  We acted in the tradition of Nachson – the simple Israelite who dived into the Red Sea before it parted, while the others fearfully looked around with disbelief and even regret in having left Egypt.  We believed in Nishmah, and others came to believe in Nishmah, too.

I feel that I could endlessly speak about what we accomplished, as I can also go on and on about the many wonderful women and men that helped Nishmah become what it is.  What I am also trying to avoid is saying good-bye — or as I have liked to say recently, “see you later.”  Before I leave you with a remaining thought, I need to express my gratitude to each of you, and I apologize because my words can never mirror my true feelings.  This is going to sound corny: You have made my dreams come true.  Nishmah was a dream for me — a dream that we built that has forever changed my life.  Along the way, I developed another dream as well that came to be my children, Natan and Batya.   This community has loved them so much and I thank you.  So, in an effort to avoid any sadness or tears, I want to share my final thought: continue to dream and dream big.  Make Nishmah more and grow it with your intelligence and passion.  Make new dreams for Nishmah and let others help in building that vision.  

My final words will be a poem I recently came across by Edwin Carlile Litsey.

The Dreams Ahead  

by Edwin Carlile Litsey

What would we do in this world of ours

Were is not for the dreams ahead?

For thorns are mixed with blooming flowers

No matter which path we tread.

 

And each of us has his golden goal,

Stretching far into the years,

And ever he climbs with a hopeful soul,

With alternate smiles and tears.

 

That dream ahead is what holds him up

Through the storms of a ceaseless fight;

When his lips are pressed or the wormwood’s up

And the clouds shut out the light.

 

To some it’s a dream of high estate;

To some it’s a dream of wealth;

To some it’s a dream of a truce with Fate

In a constant search for health.

 

To some it’s a dream of home and wife;

To some it’s a dream above;

The dreams ahead are what make each life – 

The dreams – and faith and love!