I have never been a mountain climber, but I do know about “peak experiences”.
What is a “peak experience”? Wikipedia defines it this way: “‘Peak experience’ is a term used to describe certain transpersonal and ecstatic states, particularly ones tinged with themes of euphoria, harmonization and interconnectedness [my emphasis]. Participants characterize these experiences, and the revelations imparted therein, as possessing an ineffably mystical and spiritual (or overtly religious) quality or essence.”
I know that, for the FJC family, the month of May is filled with a number of potential peak experiences:
- Emma Goldberg celebrates becoming a bat mitzvah (May 5)....the first of this year’s “crop” of b’nei mitzvah.
- Mitzvah Day (Sunday, May 6th ) when our congregation gives expression, in a variety of helpful and important ways, to our commitment to tikkun olam–healing a blemished world.
- Our Bid With Chutzpah Online and Live Auction (beginning May 4th and culminating May 19th) when we raise badly needed funds for FJC and score some creative and appealing bargains for ourselves or others.
- Closing Day of Hebrew and Judaica classes (May 20th) when storyteller Mark Binder will entertain us.
- The 100th birthday (on May 26th) of our beloved member, Ann Fischman!
- Shavuot (May 26/27) when we reenact that Mother-of-Peak-Experiences, the giving of Torah on Mount Sinai!
I hope that you’ll take advantages of many opportunities this month to enjoy a peak experience in the company of your fellow FJC members, a taste of that unique “harmonization and interconnectedness” that we so cherish, and strive to create, in our congregation.
Reb Elias