Colette Gaebe [August 20, 2022] mana

Shabbat Shalom. 

My torah portion tells the story of Moses leading his people to the promised land. These men, women and children faced so many hardships on their long journey. 

But they found mana. Mana is a Hebrew word that means Bread from Heaven. Basically, it means being nurtured by god or finding hope. 

These people found hope in each other and in their common goal. Judaism puts so much emphasis on our own role within a larger community. We are taught to take care of each other as well as encouraged to lean on our community when we, ourselves, are struggling.There is no way those people would have made it to the promised land without each other. 

For example, Aaron and Miriam, Moses' siblings, helped provide support when it was needed. Aaron spoke for Moses when Moses couldn't speak for himself. Miriam helped raise him and provide water for the people in the desert. Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, told Moses to get help for his tasks and then 70 people gathered to share the work of hard labor. 

In this room is my community. Each of you has contributed in some way to me getting this far and developing into the person I'm becoming. 

Even if you think you're more distant from me, like my grandparents' friends, you're not. Maybe you impacted me 

indirectly by being there for my grandparents or my mom 

throughout their lives, making them more able to pass on love and support to me. 

Or you could have contributed directly. For instance, I have memories of being at the Wertz's house for holidays and sitting on Santa's lap, or of sleepovers at Uncle Von and Aunt Leslie's where they took me out for a late night treat. 

My parents' friends have known me since I was born and have always shown an interest in me. I'm guessing they were tired of the Gaebe boy energy by the time I arrived, so they turned their attention to me. 

But they have always treated me like an extended member of their families. Half of my childhood was spent on the sidelines of my brothers' baseball games. But I loved it. It felt safe and fun to me... and built my confidence and independence because of so many of you. 

That's where Yaku would joke around with me and hang me upside down, where Kerrie introduced me to my "inner sparkle," where Rob Osier used to draw pictures with me in the bleachers, and where I talked my way into free hot dogs and snow cones from the rest of you who worked at the snack shack. 

I've been surrounded by a whole community of people helping me in one way or another. When I went to the park, Florie let me eat all of the lunch she had packed for herself. If I needed new books to read or cowgirl boots or wetsuits to borrow, Sarah would dig through her storage bins to find me some. 

After I wiped out on a bicycle jump, Justin distracted me from my cuts and scrapes by challenging me to be tough and trying to make me laugh. 

My little cousins Livy and Maddie make me feel SO loved. I like who I am when I'm with them, and Uncle Chris gives me the best hugs. 

My friends are a big part of my community. There was a time at school when Sydney stepped in just when I needed someone most. She makes difficult times feel manageable and makes sure I know I'm not alone. I have Finley who I can trust completely and tell anything to, Nola who can practically finish my sentences, and Vivian who can put me in a good mood. 

Then there's my brothers. Charlie makes me feel 

understood. I won't forget the night we hung out late that night on the swings at Brookside and we talked about a lot, and I appreciate how you defend me to mom and dad. 

Miller always brings out my fun side and doesn't talk down to me, but treats me like a real person. 

Sam, who rough housed with me gently and tucked me in bed when he babysat. I remember making him judge dance contests between my friends and me and I know he worked hard to say good things about both performances so he wouldn't hurt either of our feelings when he had to pick a winner. 

One really bad night this year when I was fighting back tears, it was my big brothers who assured me they had my back and soon made me laugh so hard my stomach hurt. 

What Moses did to lead and guide his people to the 

promised land, was selfless. That's because he was old and weak and he knew that he, himself, would never get there. He thought past himself and fought for a better life for others. 

It reminds me of my Grandma Patty who I lost in April. She had a big voice. Not only was she very loud.... but she always spoke up for what she believed and for people who needed it. She encouraged me to speak up for myself and for others. She didn't want me to waste time worrying about what other people think, and she encouraged me to be a leader, not a follower. I'm still working on that. 

My Dad... he is equal parts crazy... and contagiously fun. Both have challenged and rewarded me. The crazy has made me learn to be resourceful and work around it, and the fun has encouraged me NOT to take myself so seriously and let me know it's okay to be silly. 

My mom, She may nag, but then again, I wouldn't be prepared for things like today without that. I don't have a sister, so she is a good fill-in for trying out make-up or hair techniques on. 

She is easy to talk to... and she likes to talk... A. LOT. We've spent many late nights where I ask her anything and tell her more than I planned. 

All of these examples of people in my life are meant to explain the heart of what is practiced in Judaism. People taking 

care of each other. We are required to do mitzvahs. Mitzvahs are commandments to do good things for others. 

In order to have my Bat Mitzvah, I had to commit to a mitzvah project. I'm volunteering with an organization called Daraja that my neighbor, Chloe, introduced me to. Its goal is to provide education beyond just elementary school, to girls in Kenya. I am also volunteering at the Marin Food Bank. 

It is so important for us to contribute something back to our communities because if we only took care of ourselves, there would be no Sydneys, or brothers, or anyone to help us find our mana, or nurturing, when we need it. 

We must remember to maintain these relationships we have built, so we don't lose them. 

Moses told his people that the journey to the promised land isn't over once they've reached it. He told them to keep doing what they are supposed to, or they will lose everything they worked so hard for. 

Grandma Susie says that it's important to give your best self to your husband or wife. I used to think she was wrong because those people should be able to see each other at their worst and still love each other no matter what. 

But now I'm beginning to understand that those people who love us and are there for us, deserve to be treated the best by us. 

Most of us have read the book "The Giving Tree." Just because the tree loved the boy so much, it was willing to let the boy take and take. The boy took apples to eat, chopped branches to build a boat, used the tree stump for a safe place to sit. The boy didn't give anything back, and soon there was nothing left. 

So, please continue to find ways to be a good friend, daughter, son, sister and community member in order to have a life that impacts people positively and that will come back to you in a perfect circle. Thank you.