Happy New Year, and Shabbat Shalom!
We Jews live in a multifaceted realm. When the new Jewish year begins, we wish one another a happy New Year. When the new secular year starts out, we also wish one another a good year ahead, even after late nights of partying and days of disappointing football results.
Be that as it may, the transition from one year to the next allows us – again – to re-examine our lives and to seek out new patterns of existence if we believe they are in order.
Along with many who observe life in all its complexity, such as Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, I too believe that "we are not locked in a realm where causality, struggle for existence, the will to exert power, personal urges, and the craving for prestige" are the only motivations that drive us.
We crave relationship, connection, and enrichment with one another in this world.
We desire the human touch, the kind word, the understanding glance, and the optimistic outlook for the future.
The Shabbat allows us to imagine what truly human life can be like, so that we can change our lives for the better.
I wish everyone a Shabbat of peace.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Friday, December 9, 2011
Shabbat and Righteous Giving: A Tzedakah Box for All Times
“Oh, look, mom,” I heard a young congregant say to her mother. “There’s a beautiful tzedakah box on the wall over there, and it seems very lonely…and very hungry. Can we give tzedakah on Shabbat?”
“Of course, sweetheart. The Rabbi said it was all right.”
And it is. And you should.
Because of the generosity of Roger Brown, one of our congregants, we have a beautifully crafted tzedakah box affixed to the wall outside our sanctuary. Whenever one enters the building – whether for services, religious school, meetings, or social gatherings – now one can donate a little or a lot to the organization or cause that we have selected that month.
One of the concerns raised was whether it was permitted to give money on Shabbat. That is, some might ask, would it be permissible to carry funds to Temple, to bring them into the building, and then to deposit them after sundown on Friday and before sundown on Saturday?
My answer is yes, simply stated. As a liberal movement, we do not disparage the carrying of money – or the giving of tzedakah – on Shabbat, or sneer at those who spend money on Shabbat for the purpose of ‘enjoying the day.’ The opposite is more true!
The giving of tzedakah, or the enjoyment of other activities that elevate the soul and relax the body, is the true aim of Shabbat. If one goes out into the world and finds ways to recreate oneself on this most blessed day of rest, she or he is to be doubly praised. Going to the cinema, eating out at a restaurant with friends or family, riding a bicycle 40 miles there and back, paying an entrance fee at a local amusement park or state campsite for recreational use: All of these are valid and crucial ways to spend the Shabbat day.
The purpose of Shabbat is to bring to the soul a feeling of rest, completeness, and peace. These are the goals that we should affix to the day of the Sabbath. I wish us all success in this important endeavor.
“Of course, sweetheart. The Rabbi said it was all right.”
And it is. And you should.
Because of the generosity of Roger Brown, one of our congregants, we have a beautifully crafted tzedakah box affixed to the wall outside our sanctuary. Whenever one enters the building – whether for services, religious school, meetings, or social gatherings – now one can donate a little or a lot to the organization or cause that we have selected that month.
One of the concerns raised was whether it was permitted to give money on Shabbat. That is, some might ask, would it be permissible to carry funds to Temple, to bring them into the building, and then to deposit them after sundown on Friday and before sundown on Saturday?
My answer is yes, simply stated. As a liberal movement, we do not disparage the carrying of money – or the giving of tzedakah – on Shabbat, or sneer at those who spend money on Shabbat for the purpose of ‘enjoying the day.’ The opposite is more true!
The giving of tzedakah, or the enjoyment of other activities that elevate the soul and relax the body, is the true aim of Shabbat. If one goes out into the world and finds ways to recreate oneself on this most blessed day of rest, she or he is to be doubly praised. Going to the cinema, eating out at a restaurant with friends or family, riding a bicycle 40 miles there and back, paying an entrance fee at a local amusement park or state campsite for recreational use: All of these are valid and crucial ways to spend the Shabbat day.
The purpose of Shabbat is to bring to the soul a feeling of rest, completeness, and peace. These are the goals that we should affix to the day of the Sabbath. I wish us all success in this important endeavor.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
"Shabbat for All Generations" comes also to Saturday morning!
As you may know, our synagogue has been holding an all-musical service each month, on the third Friday night, for the last four years. We call this special service Shabbat Midor Lador, a “Shabbat for All Generations,” with the hope that we can bring together worshipers young and old, singers and non-singers, for a joyous and rollicking Shabbat that enriches us as individuals and as a community.
Our all-volunteer band, made up of Temple Beth El members and me, leads us in song, story, and learning in a pleasurable worship service. And this coming December 3, our “Shabbat for All Generations” comes to Saturday morning, at 10:30 AM at Temple Beth El. We hope you can be there as well.
“Shabbat services for the community on Saturday morning?” I hear you say. “But we’re accustomed to come to Temple on Friday nights. Is this a change?”
No, it’s not a change, just a one-time experiment to see if perhaps we should have services also on Saturday mornings when we don’t conduct B’nai Mitzvah.
In fact, the Friday evening communal service, usually a late one, is an invention that’s only one hundred and fifty years old, conceived and developed by the founder of Reform Judaism in America, Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise. In those days, Jews stayed away from the synagogue on Saturday morning, but not for the reasons that you may imagine. Here is what I mean.
Many Jews in those days were merchants and retail store workers and owners. Many others were federal and state government employees. Both of these groups had to work on Saturday mornings: Retail workers obviously had to be present when most of the rest of society had free time; government employees worked a six-day week. So Rabbi Wise wanted to find a solution to the empty synagogue pews that he saw on Saturday mornings.
And the late Friday night service was born. It was a service with the traditional Shabbat liturgy, usually not a Torah reading (at first; the Torah would still be read on Saturday morning), but did include a sermon to inspire the members.
But over the last 50 years or so, people’s responsibilities and lifestyles changed, and Saturday mornings have now been freed up from work and given over to leisure time. So we are hoping to fill some of your leisure Shabbat time with good music, fun stories, and worshiping in community.
Please join us for a great Shabbat experience. You’ll be glad you did.
Our all-volunteer band, made up of Temple Beth El members and me, leads us in song, story, and learning in a pleasurable worship service. And this coming December 3, our “Shabbat for All Generations” comes to Saturday morning, at 10:30 AM at Temple Beth El. We hope you can be there as well.
“Shabbat services for the community on Saturday morning?” I hear you say. “But we’re accustomed to come to Temple on Friday nights. Is this a change?”
No, it’s not a change, just a one-time experiment to see if perhaps we should have services also on Saturday mornings when we don’t conduct B’nai Mitzvah.
In fact, the Friday evening communal service, usually a late one, is an invention that’s only one hundred and fifty years old, conceived and developed by the founder of Reform Judaism in America, Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise. In those days, Jews stayed away from the synagogue on Saturday morning, but not for the reasons that you may imagine. Here is what I mean.
Many Jews in those days were merchants and retail store workers and owners. Many others were federal and state government employees. Both of these groups had to work on Saturday mornings: Retail workers obviously had to be present when most of the rest of society had free time; government employees worked a six-day week. So Rabbi Wise wanted to find a solution to the empty synagogue pews that he saw on Saturday mornings.
And the late Friday night service was born. It was a service with the traditional Shabbat liturgy, usually not a Torah reading (at first; the Torah would still be read on Saturday morning), but did include a sermon to inspire the members.
But over the last 50 years or so, people’s responsibilities and lifestyles changed, and Saturday mornings have now been freed up from work and given over to leisure time. So we are hoping to fill some of your leisure Shabbat time with good music, fun stories, and worshiping in community.
Please join us for a great Shabbat experience. You’ll be glad you did.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Children in the Sanctuary: What’s Not to Like?!
Last Friday evening, November 4, we tried an experiment at Temple Beth El. We had our usual First Friday night service (oneg Shabbat at 5:30, service at 6, adjourn with a “Shabbat Shalom” at 7 PM) but with a twist.
We specifically invited families with young children to the service (along with the usual attendees, who are mostly adults), offered a few more child-oriented foods on the oneg Shabbat table, and changed our service only slightly. Our hopes were that we’d attract parents who’d like to offer their children a Shabbat experience that is geared toward them, and yet have a contemplative atmosphere that also addresses the spiritual needs of adults.
This is what happened.
At 6 PM, we began our service where the congregation was, in the Community Court, with songs and table blessings of candles and wine. Then we led everyone into the Sanctuary while singing. Then we began the service with readings and prayers, leading us up to the Sh’ma. After everyone was seated again, I invited the young people, ages 8 and below, up to the bimah steps to listen to a story especially for them.
When the story concluded, teachers and assistants escorted those children out for 45 minutes of a special Shabbat activity: crafts, stories, and fun. In the Sanctuary, the adults had 45 minutes of calm, quiet, and meditative worship, as well as a brief d’var Torah on the weekly portion of Lech Lecha.
At 7 PM we concluded the service, and, behold, there were the kids in the Community Court, finishing up the pre-service oneg Shabbat foods, and waiting quite patiently for their parents. We also had some cookies for them as they exited.
What worked? Most everything worked tremendously well. We allowed our worshipers to have a peaceful experience. We let our children have a fun Shabbat time at Temple. And we had a larger congregation that night than many First Friday nights.
There were a few logistic kinks to be worked out, but the feedback from both parents with kids – and adults who came alone – was quite positive and upbeat. It is definitely something to be replicated at our earliest opportunity.
It is crucial to stress that both adults and children felt comfortable in this worship environment, and that we hope that both of these groups join us in the future.
If you have ideas about this important facet of Jewish life, that is, attracting young kids to positive experiences at Temple, please comment on this event.
We specifically invited families with young children to the service (along with the usual attendees, who are mostly adults), offered a few more child-oriented foods on the oneg Shabbat table, and changed our service only slightly. Our hopes were that we’d attract parents who’d like to offer their children a Shabbat experience that is geared toward them, and yet have a contemplative atmosphere that also addresses the spiritual needs of adults.
This is what happened.
At 6 PM, we began our service where the congregation was, in the Community Court, with songs and table blessings of candles and wine. Then we led everyone into the Sanctuary while singing. Then we began the service with readings and prayers, leading us up to the Sh’ma. After everyone was seated again, I invited the young people, ages 8 and below, up to the bimah steps to listen to a story especially for them.
When the story concluded, teachers and assistants escorted those children out for 45 minutes of a special Shabbat activity: crafts, stories, and fun. In the Sanctuary, the adults had 45 minutes of calm, quiet, and meditative worship, as well as a brief d’var Torah on the weekly portion of Lech Lecha.
At 7 PM we concluded the service, and, behold, there were the kids in the Community Court, finishing up the pre-service oneg Shabbat foods, and waiting quite patiently for their parents. We also had some cookies for them as they exited.
What worked? Most everything worked tremendously well. We allowed our worshipers to have a peaceful experience. We let our children have a fun Shabbat time at Temple. And we had a larger congregation that night than many First Friday nights.
There were a few logistic kinks to be worked out, but the feedback from both parents with kids – and adults who came alone – was quite positive and upbeat. It is definitely something to be replicated at our earliest opportunity.
It is crucial to stress that both adults and children felt comfortable in this worship environment, and that we hope that both of these groups join us in the future.
If you have ideas about this important facet of Jewish life, that is, attracting young kids to positive experiences at Temple, please comment on this event.
Monday, October 17, 2011
On the Nature of What Moves People
I love my congregants. They’re interested, they’re attentive, and they have passions that I am only beginning to learn about. It is a pleasure to hear them and to work with them.
For example, regarding my High Holy Day sermons: Each one has received reactions, and they’re basically positive ones! Oh, yes, there is some disagreement over my assessment of the Obama administration’s strong support for Israel, but in fact, I have received upbeat reactions to both the messages that I delivered and the services overall.
I have received the majority of comments about my sermon on mental health and mental illness, and my call for an ongoing Temple-based support group for congregants who are mentally ill and their families. I have received offers of help from at least ten members who, for various reasons, expressed the hope to be involved in some way.
Knowing what I know about them, each of them has either a personal or professional connection to the area of mental health and mental illness, and all are willing to be helpful. That says a lot about them, and it also bespeaks a need that we can fulfill. So an agenda is set for the future. And if you’re a member of Temple Beth El, and you are reading these words, please contact me to get involved.
May we all have a wonderful and productive New Year of 5772!
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