Wise Temple's Ultimate Project Legend tells us that even with the Egyptians in pursuit, the Israelites stood at the shores of the Red Sea arguing about which tribe would step into the waters first, when Nahshon of the tribe Judah, "sprang forward into the sea" (H.N. Bialik) and "the sea saw him and fled." (Psalm 114:3). Only with the action of one individual, the midrash teaches, did God then make the miracle of splitting the Red Sea and only then commanded Moses to "Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward. And lift up thy rod." (Exodus 14:15).

It was this midrash that moved Rabbi Lewis Kamrass to challenge our Congregation in 1990 to step into the waters of social action through WiseUP/THE ULTIMATE PROJECT. Clearly, to do what is "just" (tzedakah), to "repair the world" (tikkun olam), requires us not just to argue and discuss the critical issues of our society, but to act with faith and courage and, like Nahshon, step into unknown spaces. Only then can we share in God's miracles.

Last year, more than 800 individuals in our Congregation took action through WiseUP Social Action. We look forward to working with each of you who take this action this year. Together, we will go out into the community with faith that our service will bring some peace and comfort and maybe a miracle or two and for ourselves and, most especially, for the many who are in need.

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