First Responders' Breakfast

All items and volunteer slots will be confirmed after submission. Location will be provided upon sign-up.

SEE RABBI BRANDER'S LETTER BELOW.

***

Dear Friends, 

Tomorrow we will mark September 11th -- a day of sacred and painful memory on our American calendar. As we watch our country increasingly divided and increasingly struggle with distinguishing good and evil, 9/11 is a critical reminder of the very much we have in common as a nation and our absolute capacity to come together and unite for good against the dangerous face of evil. 

Over the past few years, 9/11 has also served as a time for us to reflect and express our gratitude and appreciation for brave men and women - firefighters, police officers, and EMS responders -- who work tirelessly every day to keep us safe and secure from danger, fire and illness. 

I am honored to invite you to mark this solemn day in a most meaningful way by joining me in serving breakfast to our West Hartford first responders this Sunday morning, 9/15. In coordination with both the West Hartford Fire Department and Police Department as well as our community security director John Colangelo, we are organizing our 3rd Annual First Responders' Appreciation Breakfast. 

We are looking for volunteers to help prepare and serve on Sunday as well as to cook in advance for the breakfast. Please click here to see the volunteer slots and sign up. Additionally, we are inviting all the children (and everyone really) to make cards for us to give out at the breakfast. If you cannot make it and still want to contribute to the breakfast, you can make a donation as well here. 

Obviously, this annual breakfast touches on many core values and ideals that we live by as Orthodox Jews. In particular, it personifies the value of Hakarat HaTov -- appreciating and expressing gratitude to those who do for us, and it highlights our commitment to engage with society, as we choose to show up and step up not just when we need something or only within our Jewish community but for our town and fellow Americans. As we close in on Rosh HaShana, how appropriate for us to pause and give back to those who do so much for us every day! 

I hope you will join me in making this a very meaningful success. 

Sincerely,

Rabbi Tuvia Brander