Jan 31st 2008, 00:00

Recently I was watching television and saw an ad for one of the osteoporosis medications. The spokesperson was Sally Field, now 62 years old. I was stricken by how young she looked – if I didn't know better, I'd peg her to be in her 20's. I started to think about my upcoming birthday, when I will happily celebrate #55. I looked in the mirror. I don't look like I did when I was in my 20's! Of course, I also haven't taken advantage of the many cosmetic surgeons who would happily reshape my God-given body to look half my age.

I started to think – if I could be on television and be a spokesperson for something, what would I say?

I just finished reading a book that was written by Dr. Ron Wolfson, my favorite professor at the American Jewish University (formerly the University of Judaism). “God's To-Do List” is a practical guidebook to repairing the world--often in simple everyday ways. It details the Biblical accounts of what God does, not what God says: God creates, blesses, rests, calls, comforts, cares, repairs, wrestles, gives and forgives. For each of God's actions, suggestions are made as to what might be on God's To-Do List for you, the many ways you can make small and great differences in the lives of others and find the ultimate source of meaning for your own.

Ron was a speaker at the recent URJ Biennial, and I listened intently as he spoke about being one of God's angels – doing God's “to-do list.” Upon returning to the “real” world at TBT, I felt a transformation in myself that was both calming and energizing. Being one of God's angels puts the world in different focus. I'm not just working at the Temple – I'm being part of God's universe in making Judaism a religion, culture, and heritage that has meaning beyond words on a page of the prayer book or Torah.

The effects of the book were recently brought home as I received a call from an individual needing financial assistance in order to pay a bill for short-term housing. It was a desperate situation, and while I was eager to help, a frustration welled up inside of me at the thought of having to drive out of my way at night rather than going directly home. I got in my car, and suddenly it hit me – I was being given an opportunity by God to be one of the angels – to comfort, to care, and to give. Wow – three of the ten “to-do's” in one act! My body relaxed and my mind cleared. I approached the task with joy rather than with anger.

So, as I approach this birthday and reflect on how I have spent the last year, or the years of my lifetime, I would like to think that I have made a difference in the world for the better. I like being one of God's angels, touching the students in our religious school with a love for our Temple and for Judaism; touching their parents with an appreciation for the hard work that goes into providing a meaningful Jewish education; touching the adults of all ages with whom I come in contact to represent Temple Beth Tikvah and its legacy for generations to come. What a great life this is!

Miriam Van Raalte