“Being There,” or just “Talking About It.” Thinking back to my childhood, I have fond memories of a television program, hosted by the wonderful Walter Cronkite, called You Are There. Mr. Cronkite would introduce the young audience to a part of history, and then before continuing to tell the story, would say, “All things are as they were then, except . . . You are there!”

This concept of “reliving” history (as opposed to just reading about it) is very much a part of our Jewish lives. If we could reduce the Pesach Hagaddah to just one line, many of us would choose the words: b’khol dor vador chayav adam lir’ot et atzmo k’ilu hu yatza mimitzrayim—“In every generation one should see oneself as if he/she personally was redeemed from Egypt.” The Hagaddah, therefore, is not just a retelling of history, it is a reliving. Our obligation is not merely to remember God’s freeing us from slavery, it is to experience the feeling of being freed.

Similarly, when we read in the synagogue about the miraculous crossing of the Sea, or when we hear the description of God’s giving the Torah, we stand, as if to say that we are there, actually experiencing these wonders firsthand.

Long after all those who actually were freed from Egypt (and crossed the Sea, and received the Torah at Mt. Sinai), we have successfully kept their stories alive within us. All the more so should we feel the obligation and the ability to keep alive the stories of the much more recent past.

I am speaking about the sacred stories of the Shoah (also known as the Holocaust), which is especially relevant to our congregation. We are blessed to have in our congregation many members who witnessed the horrors of the Shoah firsthand, and who continue to share their precious memories with us.

This month, beginning on the evening of April 11 and continuing for the next 24 hours, is the annual commemoration of Yom HaShoah, the day set aside to recognize both the survivors and victims of the Holocaust. If you are able to attend the synagogue services on Monday, April 12, you will notice the glowing flame of memorial candles, as well as added readings to supplement our heartfelt prayers.

I also urge you to use this time, on or near April 11-12, to re-connect yourselves to the Shoah, by:

• Engaging a Shoah survivor in meaningful conversation.

• Visiting the Holocaust Memorial Center.

• Finding books and other educational materials in our library.

• Lighting the yellow memorial lights (provided by our Mens Club) in your home.

On a different note, I have also recently seen another example of the power of “being there,” not just “talking about it.” In the weeks since I had my emergency aorta surgery on January 24, I have learned that so many of you were praying on my behalf, especially during the scariest and most difficult hours for me and my family. Additionally, I have so much and appreciated the many cards, tributes, meal donations, and other ways that you have made your presence known to me. What all this tells me is that in my time of greatest need, you were not just talking about me, but you were indeed right there with me, and I am truly grateful.