Hearing the Call and Following the Journey

By Shelly Gross, WLCJ Torah Fund Communications Vice Chair

In Parashat Lekh-Lekha, God calls to Abram: “Lekh-lekha”—go forth from your land, from your birthplace, and from your father’s house, to the land that I will show you.

Imagine being asked to leave everything familiar behind and set out on a journey without knowing exactly where it would lead. Abram was being asked to take a leap of faith. He could not see the destination clearly, nor could he know all the challenges he would encounter along the way. Yet, he answered the call and began his journey.

We all face moments when we hear a voice calling us toward something new. Sometimes, it is a quiet feeling that we are meant to do more. Sometimes, an experience, a teacher, or a mentor helps us recognize a path we had not previously considered. Answering that call takes courage, commitment, and a willingness to make sacrifices.

I know something about hearing a calling and wondering whether it is possible to follow it. My earliest calling was to medicine. I wanted to be a doctor, and although my career took a different path, I spent 15 years practicing physical therapy. Then, a shift came in my life, and I developed an intense desire to attend rabbinical school.

Of course, I had concerns. As a single parent with two children, I wondered how I could possibly achieve this goal. The obstacles seemed overwhelming, and the journey ahead felt almost impossible. Ultimately, I did not become a rabbi, but the desire to pursue that path has remained a meaningful part of my life.

My journey has taught me that our paths do not always lead us where we initially expect. Sometimes, our dreams remain unfulfilled, but the experiences, aspirations, and values behind those dreams continue to influence who we become and what we choose to do.

This is one of the reasons I love working with Torah Fund. Although I did not fulfill my own dream of becoming a rabbi, I can help future Conservative/Masorti rabbis, cantors, educators, and leaders fulfill their callings. Through Torah Fund, we help students overcome financial obstacles and pursue Jewish leadership roles to which they feel called.

In this way, I have found a meaningful connection to the journey I once hoped to take. I may not stand before a congregation as a rabbi, but I can help support those who will teach Torah, guide congregations, educate our children, and shape the future of our movement.

For those who choose to pursue rabbinical school, the journey is not an easy one. It requires years of study, dedication, and significant personal and financial commitments. Yet, these students continue forward because they feel called to serve the Jewish people and help shape the future of Jewish life.

On Sunday, November 1 at 12:00 pm ET, we will have the opportunity to hear four such journeys at our Torah Fund program, “Torah Fund Changes Lives: Hear Our Stories.” These students will share their personal paths to rabbinical school and how scholarships have helped make their journeys possible. You can register for this event by clicking the button below: